In the next 18 years, Germany wants to completely phase out its coal industry. (picture alliance/dpa)
Berlin (dpa) - The German government on Wednesday agreed on legislation that cements the country's ambitious 2038 target for phasing out its coal industry, ending months of political wrangling.
The draft bill sets out the planned industry overhaul in the coal-reliant country, after a phase-out was originally recommended by a government commission last year.
The around 200-page bill will now be sent to the Bundestag parliament for debate and is expected to be passed in mid-2020.
The legislation earmarks 4.35 billion euros (4.8 billion dollars) in compensation for the operators of lignite power plants and mines, which are to be prematurely decommissioned over the coming years. It also sets out the running order for the sites' closures.
Firms running hard coal-powered plants, which have lower CO2 emissions than lignite plants, can also apply for closures in return for government compensation in the coming years.
The government is also setting aside funds to tide older workers in the coal industry into retirement once they lose their jobs.
In order for the phase-out to be successful, Germany is hoping to bolster renewables to make up 65 per cent of electricity generation, from a little over 40 per cent currently. However, the Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government has so far been divided over how to do this.
Coal power currently makes up for around a third of the country's energy production.
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