Brussels has given the green light for the EU to burn more coal over the next decade as it tries to end the use of Russian gas and oil. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fuel but the European Commission said the EU would use 5% more than previously expected over the next five to 10 years as the bloc tries to replace Russian energy imports.
More nuclear power would also be used, a senior commission official said, as the EU unveiled its plans to beef up its energy infrastructure and become less reliant on Moscow.
Coal is expected to produce another 100 terawatt-hours of power, around the electricity consumption of Belgium, annually over the next five to 10 years. Nuclear, which is low-carbon but unpopular with environmentalists because of the waste generated, is set to produce another 44 terawatt-hours annually.