BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Eastern Germany commissioner Carsten Schneider (SPD) considers security of supply and social compatibility to be important conditions when deciding whether to phase out coal in 2030. These would have to be proven beforehand, Schneider said in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND/Friday). Whether such an exit would be possible under the changed conditions of energy supply at affordable prices for consumers and industry would be shown by the legally required reviews.

A coal phase-out, ideally as early as 2030, could help achieve the ambitious energy and climate targets set out in the coalition agreement signed by the "traffic light" government. However, such a far-reaching decision could only be made by consensus between the federal government and the affected states.

German Economics Minister Robert Habeck is pushing for an earlier coal phase-out in the east. An exit brought forward to 2030 must be agreed by consensus, the Green politician said recently. This, he said, "must be perceived as a good plan in a broad alliance." Habeck said he had sensible arguments for the plan.

Saxony-Anhalt Minister President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) disagrees, warning a few days ago of the consequences of an earlier coal phase-out. "First of all, we should put as many domestic energy sources as possible on the market to ensure a secure and affordable energy supply. Successful structural change also requires the simultaneous development of new infrastructure and new skilled jobs. This is not feasible by 2030," Haseloff told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Magdeburg last week.

According to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia's Economics Ministry, it has already reached agreement with the Federal Economics Ministry and RWE AG on key points to bring forward the coal phase-out by eight years to 2030.

According to the current legal situation, the last shutdowns of power plant units in Germany are scheduled for 2038 - at the Leag company in Lusatia./wpi/DP/mis