A sustainable success! No compensation for Dutch coal-fired power stations

The German energy companies RWE and Uniper have just lost their lawsuit, claiming the right to billions in compensation because of the Coal Prohibition Act.

The Act bans all coal burning in the Netherlands from 2030, in a Dutch effort to limit the country’s CO2 emissions, and fight climate change.

And, you guessed it, coal-based power stations in the Netherlands are fuming with rage. 😬

A big investment

While some companies choose to put their money towards climate-friendly projects, RWE is an example of completely opposite behaviour.

The company recently splurged €3.2 billion on a coal-burning power station in Eemshaven, writes RTL Nieuws. And they are not alone.

READ MORE | 9 surprisingly unsustainable Dutch habits 

With the Coal Prohibition Act, however, stations like that in Eemshaven will have two options: find a more future-proof revenue model, or shut down.

Well, RWE and Uniper went for a third option: sue the government and hope for the best. But, despite how the saying goes, three wasn’t their lucky number.

No right to compensation

Honouring its name as the “City of Peace and Justice“, the judge in The Hague recently announced that the companies had no right to compensation, as they were given plenty of time to restructure before being forced to close down.

READ MORE | 17 ideas that make the Dutch sustainability super-heroes

Minister of Climate and Energy, Rob Jetten, has described the ruling as an important precedent for future climate conflicts between the Dutch government and large polluting corporations.

In a statement to RTL, RWE claims it is currently considering appealing the ruling, claiming the company’s property rights to be infringed.

The decision is nevertheless seen as a sustainability victory and an important symbol of the Dutch government’s climate priorities.

What do you think of the ruling? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image:Freepik
Juni Moltubak
Juni Moltubak
Juni moved to the Netherlands after realizing how expensive tuition fees in the UK are, and never regretted her choice of studying in The Hague. After three years of Political Science, she is ready for a new adventure — an internship at DutchReview! When you don’t see her typing on her laptop she can be found strolling around Haagse Bos or sitting in her lovely garden scrolling through interior design TikToks.

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