THE Steag power plant in Bergkamen, 30 miles east of Essen, Germany's big industrial zone, shut down when it ran out of the hard coal it burns to produce electricty, reports Bloomberg.
The European continent also faces shortages of natural gas that is so acute that China ordered state-owned companies to secure supplies at all costs and Europe is burning more of its already depleted stocks.
'There is a strong demand for coal and a strong demand for transport by barge. And since Bergkamen has no rail connection, there are no logistical alternatives available here,' said Steag spokesman Daniel Muhlenfeld.
European utilities had already turned to coal due to shortages of natural gas, recently stepping in to the spot market to secure cargoes and even asking Russia for more supplies.
China's move to secure more supplies is likely to make matters worse, with Europe set to scramble to secure winter fuel.
The power plant shut down four times in September for as long as six days at a time. Three other german coal plants have been shut down for maintenance.
SeaNews Turkey
The European continent also faces shortages of natural gas that is so acute that China ordered state-owned companies to secure supplies at all costs and Europe is burning more of its already depleted stocks.
'There is a strong demand for coal and a strong demand for transport by barge. And since Bergkamen has no rail connection, there are no logistical alternatives available here,' said Steag spokesman Daniel Muhlenfeld.
European utilities had already turned to coal due to shortages of natural gas, recently stepping in to the spot market to secure cargoes and even asking Russia for more supplies.
China's move to secure more supplies is likely to make matters worse, with Europe set to scramble to secure winter fuel.
The power plant shut down four times in September for as long as six days at a time. Three other german coal plants have been shut down for maintenance.
SeaNews Turkey