Permit for Germany’s newest coal-fired power plant was invalid, court rules

(EurActiv, 27 Aug 2021) Germany’s youngest coal-fired power plant, Datteln 4, was constructed based on an invalid development plan, a German court ruled on Thursday (26 August), following a case brought against the plant in the north-west of the country.

The court upheld a challenge by the town of Waltrop, local residents and a climate NGO which challenged the plant over its proximity to residential areas and a children’s hospital.

According to the court, the choice of location for Datteln 4, which came online in 2020, was subject to an invalid development plan which did not meet “the relevant legal requirements”.

The battle against the coal plant dates back to the mid-2000s when residents overturned plans for it and the German branch of Friends of the Earth, BUND, won an injunction to stop its construction.

Local authorities in the North Rhine-Westphalia region then drew up new plans and issued a permit, which is now being fought over in court.

The ruling corrects wrong political decisions, said Olaf Bandt, chair of BUND. “The North Rhine-Westphalia minister-president has repeatedly publicly advocated the commissioning of the Datteln 4 hard coal-fired power plant. The operation of the power plant is not compatible with the new targets of the stricter climate protection law,” he said.

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EurActiv, 27 Aug 2021: Permit for Germany’s newest coal-fired power plant was invalid, court rules