Preţurile mari la gaze îi împing pe producătorii europeni de electricitate să revină la cărbune

The surge in natural gas prices is prompting European utility companies to revert to coal usage, with analysts predicting a 25% increase in coal-based electricity production in the next six months. The ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S. has disrupted liquefied natural gas shipments, pushing gas prices in Europe above 80 euros per megawatt-hour, the highest in three years. This shift makes coal and lignite plants more profitable than gas plants for the first time since 2024. Despite a historical decline in coal's share of electricity production, high gas prices may make existing coal plants economically attractive again. The transition to coal is particularly notable in Germany, where coal production is expected to reach record levels. However, the energy system's flexibility is limited, and the return to coal may persist beyond immediate reactions to supply disruptions.