Without coal-fired power plants, Germany will probably not get through the winter. Energy transports by rail have priority over passenger trains.
In the energy crisis, energy transport should temporarily have priority on rail – this could also have an impact on passengers in passenger transport.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) said on Wednesday after the cabinet meeting in Berlin that if additional transports in the energy sector were required at short notice, priority had to be given. “When in doubt, this can also mean that passenger trains have to wait.” But there should be as few disruptions as possible.
Coal transports are prioritized
The priority for energy transport, for example to supply coal-fired power plants, is laid down in a statutory ordinance. The aim is to ensure the operation of power plants, refineries and power grids. In view of the severe throttling of Russian gas supplies, more and more coal-fired power plants are to be reconnected to the grid from the reserve for power supply.
The ordinance creates the conditions for being able to act quickly if a corresponding emergency arises, said Wissing. “It is clear that everyone has an interest in us having a stable energy supply. Even passenger trains can only run if our power grid and the power supply are stable. In this sense, this regulation is in all of our interests.”
DB Netz AG will quickly adjust the terms of use of the rail network in order to prioritize mineral oil and coal transports at the scheduling level, i.e. in the operational processing of the trains. With the ordinance, the preference for mineral oil and coal transports can then be prioritized at the train path allocation level in the future. Interventions in rail transport should be kept as low as possible in order to be able to continue to transport other types of goods as required and to avoid cancellations and delays in passenger transport as far as possible. (dpa)