The first seven projects using federal aid for regions affected by Germany's coal phase-out have been launched, the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) said on Wednesday.
So far, 175 projects have been approved in the affected federal states and regions, as part of a 3.01 billion euro (3.5 billion U.S. dollars) aid package, the Ministry said in a report on the implementation status of the "coal regions investment act."
In addition, 77 measures accounting for 16.3 billion euros have been approved by the German government, in close coordination with the federal states.
"The phase-out of coal-fired power generation implies considerable structural change for the coalfields," said Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier, adding that the investment act was a "powerful tool to actively shape this structural change so that new and sustainable economic structures and jobs are created in the coal-mining districts."
The last coal-fired power plant in Germany is set to be taken off the grid by 2038 at the latest. Up to 40 billion euros will be invested to help the coalfields with the transition. In addition to expanding research and funding programs, the country also plans to establish government facilities and institutions.
The creation of new jobs is one of the "keys to successful structural change," the report says. The goal is to create 5,000 additional jobs in authorities and federal institutions in Germany's coal regions by the end of 2028. According to the report, 2,140 of these jobs have already been filled. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars)
Editor: Galia
