Germany needs coal for power supply security

Frankfurt

BURNING coal for power looks set to remain the backbone of Germany's energy supply for decades yet, an apparent contrast to Chancellor Angela Merkel's ambitions for Europe's biggest economy to be a role model in tackling climate change.

Mrs Merkel is avoiding the sensitive subject of phasing out coal, which could hit tens of thousands of jobs, in the campaign for the Sept 24 election, in which she hopes to win a fourth term.

Although well over 20 billion euros (S$32 billion) are spent each year to boost Germany's green energy sector, coal still accounts for …