Mining coal at one of eastern Germany's major lignite mines is set to end in 2030, three years earlier than initially planned. The expansion of wind and solar energy in the region has made the fossil fuel’s extraction economically non-viable, operator LEAG stated.

The high share of renewables is leading to an excess supply of electricity, especially during the summer, the company said. LEAG wants to ensure its operations are economically viable throughout the whole year, and the abundance of renewable energy in the region is reducing the need for coal-fired power production from the Welzow-Süd mine south of Berlin. According to the Brandenburg State Economy Ministry, this decision to end mining activities will not compromise supply security in the region.

Germany plans to fully exit coal-fired power production in 2038 at the latest, but many energy industry observers expect operations at coal plants to become economically unviable earlier than that, as renewable energy sources expand and carbon pricing makes the use of coal more expensive.

While the phase-out is progressing relatively rapidly in western Germany, which has targeted an end to coal burning as early as 2030, the date has recently been questioned. State leaders in eastern Germany have always insisted that the region must keep its coal plans running longer because it is more dependent on the fossil power source, both in terms of energy supply security and due to the relevance of the industry for local job markets.

The German Government plans to publish a long-delayed report assessing the effect of the coal exit on factors including supply security and climate targets. This assessment is due to be published by August 2026.