this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
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German energy giant RWE has begun dismantling a wind farm to make way for a further expansion of an open-pit lignite coal mine in the western region of North Rhine Westphalia.

I thought renewables were cheaper than coal. How is this possible?

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[–] olafurp@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's true, although I think they decided on coal since it's cheaper financially (not ecologically and healthwise of course).

It would make sense to just simply move them but the fact that they want to burn coal is just weird.

[–] dubyakay@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So that means it will not be cheaper in the medium to long term. Since they will have to deal with the burden on their healthcare system, especially among their ageing population. Plus the scummy carbon offset trades that they have to wiggle themselves into.

[–] olafurp@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Exactly, I prefer gas and oil to coal any day but that's only because the "better than coal" bar is incredibly low.