تازہ ترین

BERLIN: Germany’s decision to postpone an interim assessment of its planned lignite phase-out in North Rhine-Westphalia has raised speculation that some coal-fired power plants could remain available for longer than originally scheduled to protect the country’s electricity supply. The German government had been expected to publish an interim report by August 15 examining the consequences of the planned early shutdown of lignite-fired generation in the country’s largest state. However, the economy ministry has delayed the assessment while it awaits the outcome of tenders for new gas-fired power plants being conducted this year. The development has attracted attention because the report is expected to play an important role in determining whether Germany can maintain electricity security while moving ahead with its ambitious coal-exit strategy. Agreement with RWE Under an agreement reached in 2022 between the German government and energy company RWE, lignite-fired electricity generation in North Rhine-Westphalia is scheduled to end by March 2030. The timetable brought forward the shutdown of several lignite plants by eight years compared with Germany’s broader national coal phase-out target. Lignite, commonly known as brown coal, is among the most carbon-intensive fossil fuels and has long been a major target of Germany’s efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The government nevertheless retained the possibility of reassessing the situation by 2026. If the review finds that electricity supplies could be threatened, some RWE facilities could potentially remain available until 2033. Delay raises market expectations The postponement of the interim report has prompted speculation in energy markets that Berlin may eventually use the security provisions included in the agreement. Market expectations have centred on around 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of RWE’s lignite-fired capacity potentially being placed into a so-called security standby arrangement. Under such a mechanism, plants could remain available to operate if the electricity system faces supply shortages, potentially extending their role through the end of 2033. The government, however, has not announced any decision to extend the operating life of the plants. RWE Chief Executive Markus Krebber said on Thursday that the company had not been informed of any change to the agreed 2030 shutdown date. He also indicated that the government had not approached RWE about extending the plants’ operations. Gas power becomes increasingly important The delay comes as Germany seeks to strengthen its electricity system with additional gas-fired generation. Germany has approximately 266 GW of installed electricity-generation capacity, but a substantial portion comes from solar and wind power. While renewable energy has expanded rapidly, both technologies are weather-dependent and cannot independently guarantee continuous electricity production around the clock. That has intensified concerns about how the country will maintain reliable power supplies as coal-fired generation is gradually removed from the system. Gas-fired plants are increasingly being considered as a flexible source of electricity that can support the grid when renewable generation is insufficient. The government’s current tenders for new gas capacity are therefore closely linked to the broader debate over how quickly Germany can retire coal-fired plants without creating supply risks. Security of supply remains a key concern Germany’s energy transition has faced a difficult balancing act between climate objectives and electricity reliability. The country wants to expand renewable generation while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, but the retirement of conventional power plants removes generation capacity that can be dispatched when required. The issue became particularly sensitive following the country’s decision to phase out nuclear power, leaving policymakers with fewer sources of low-carbon, dispatchable electricity. Supporters of a rapid coal exit argue that expanding renewable generation, electricity storage, grid infrastructure and flexible gas capacity can compensate for the closure of coal plants. Critics maintain that Germany could face periods of tight supply unless sufficient backup generation is available. AfD presses for reversal The issue has also become politically contentious. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), currently the country’s largest opposition party and leading nationwide opinion polls, has strongly opposed Germany’s coal and nuclear phase-out policies. The party has called for a reversal of the energy-exit strategy, arguing that the closure of conventional power stations could increase the risk of electricity shortages and potentially lead to blackouts. The government, meanwhile, faces the challenge of ensuring that its climate commitments do not undermine electricity security.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has used a series of high-level engagements in Istanbul to promote Pakistan’s private sector, recognise leading entrepreneurs and strengthen commercial ties between Pakistan and Turkiye. The ICCI International Excellence Awards 2026 brought together Turkish government representatives, diplomats, business leaders and members of the Pakistani and Turkish business communities, providing a platform to highlight the contribution of Pakistani entrepreneurs while exploring opportunities for greater bilateral trade and investment. Around 40 Pakistani business leaders representing a range of sectors were honoured at the awards ceremony for their contributions to the country’s economy and private-sector development, according to a press release issued on Saturday. The event also provided an opportunity for business representatives from both countries to discuss the potential for expanded commercial cooperation, investment partnerships and joint ventures. Turkish officials stress stronger business links Addressing the ceremony, Istanbul Deputy Governor Mehmet Sulun said initiatives bringing together business communities from Pakistan and Turkiye could play an important role in expanding people-to-people and business-to-business contacts. He said stronger interaction between entrepreneurs could create fresh opportunities in trade, investment and joint ventures while contributing to deeper ties between the two countries. Sulun observed that business leaders played a role beyond commercial activity, describing them as important contributors to friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations. He expressed confidence that the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye would continue to develop and remain strong for future generations. Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem also emphasised the importance of expanding direct links between the private sectors of the two countries. He said political and fraternal relations needed to be complemented by stronger commercial engagement if Pakistan and Turkiye were to significantly increase bilateral trade and investment. Naeem assured Pakistani business representatives that Pakistan’s diplomatic mission would continue supporting initiatives aimed at improving commercial cooperation and facilitating interaction between entrepreneurs from both countries. ICCI seeks expansion in trade and investment In his opening remarks, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood highlighted the longstanding historical, cultural and fraternal relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye. He said the two countries had strong political and people-to-people relations, but the economic relationship had considerable room for further expansion. Mehmood reaffirmed the ICCI’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at increasing bilateral trade and investment in line with the ambitions of the leadership of both countries. He said the chamber was working to establish itself as an international platform connecting Pakistani businesses with global markets and partners. According to Mehmood, the ICCI is focusing on promoting Pakistani exports, attracting investment and developing international business partnerships while coordinating with government departments and other relevant institutions to improve the business environment. He stressed that greater ease of doing business and stronger institutional support would help Pakistani companies compete more effectively in international markets. Turkish chamber backs institutional cooperation Munir Ustun, a member of the Executive Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, welcomed efforts to bring the Pakistani and Turkish business communities closer. He stressed the importance of stronger institutional relationships between chambers and private-sector organisations in both countries. Ustun said regular business delegations, business-to-business meetings and joint commercial initiatives could help identify areas where cooperation could be expanded. He noted that significant untapped potential existed in bilateral trade and investment and that closer engagement between businesses could help turn that potential into concrete commercial projects. Faisal Town Group Director Zohair Majeed said the international recognition given to Pakistani entrepreneurs demonstrated the capability and resilience of the country’s private sector. He said Pakistani companies had the potential to compete in international markets and argued that stronger partnerships with Turkish businesses could create opportunities in investment, technology transfer and exports. According to Majeed, greater cooperation between businesses could also contribute to sustainable economic growth and help Pakistani companies gain access to new markets and technologies. Pakistan-Turkiye economic ties discussed at Independence Day event The ICCI delegation also participated in a separate event in Istanbul to mark Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, where Pakistani and Turkish business representatives reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. Speaking at the gathering, Mehmood said Pakistan’s independence had been achieved after enormous sacrifices by the country’s founding generation. He called on citizens and the business community to contribute to national development by promoting economic growth, investment and entrepreneurship. Mehmood said Pakistan and Turkiye shared decades of historical, cultural and fraternal ties, adding that the longstanding relationship should increasingly be reflected in stronger economic cooperation. He called for greater participation by the private sectors of both countries in trade, investment and joint ventures. The ICCI president said the chamber would continue to provide platforms where Pakistani and Turkish entrepreneurs could meet, explore commercial opportunities and develop long-term partnerships. Turkish business representatives also reiterated their commitment to deepening the relationship with Pakistan, particularly through increased trade, investment and direct business-to-business engagement. Business conference explores investment opportunities The economic engagement was further strengthened through a Business Opportunity Conference in Istanbul, which brought together business leaders from both countries to examine potential areas for cooperation. Participants discussed opportunities for expanding bilateral trade, establishing joint ventures, attracting investment and creating stronger business-to-business connections. Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem participated actively in the discussions, responding to questions from Turkish business representatives and outlining Pakistan’s trade and investment potential. He also highlighted developments in the country’s business and investment environment and encouraged Turkish companies to examine opportunities in Pakistan. A significant number of Turkish companies participated in the conference and expressed interest in exploring commercial and investment prospects in Pakistan. During an interactive session, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, along with former ICCI presidents Aamir Waheed Sheikh and Mohammad Ejaz Abbasi, and Dr Adeel Sami, Founder and President of the Pakistan-Turkiye Investment & Development Council, responded to questions from Turkish entrepreneurs. The discussion focused on practical mechanisms for strengthening commercial links and identifying sectors where Pakistani and Turkish companies could work together. Focus shifts from friendship to economic partnership The events in Istanbul underscored a