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> The highest share was in the Netherlands (23%), followed by Germany (19%) The real problem that this sort of headline is spun to hide is that countries like

> The highest share was in the Netherlands (23%), followed by Germany (19%) The real problem that this sort of headline is spun to hide is that countries like the Netherlands and Germany are heavily reliant on fossil fuels and have actually prioritised gas until very recently. So what the headline should say is that a sunny summer helped somewhat improve a bad situation created by bad policy.

ZeroGravitas 4y ago
Every country is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. It's a tough area for politicians to take on unless they're feeling very brave, because they have deep pockets, and some policitians just look at who is writing the checks.
- mytailorisrich 4y ago
  When a country like Germany is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for electricity this is a policy choice, not an inevitability. Not all countries are in the same situation. Different choices can and have been made.
  - ZeroGravitas 4y ago
    You don't specify which countries are doing better though, so it's hard to tell what basis you are making that claim on.
    - mytailorisrich 4y ago
      It's plain to see that Germany's policy has been a disaster (not only Germany, the UK is a massive shambles). The Netherlands are still using fossil fuels for about 40-50% of their electricity. Etc. France, for instance, has had problems recently but at least they made the decision to replace fossil fuels for electricity decades ago by going all in on nuclear (and hydro wherever dams were possible). So these are choices. More generally, the so-called 'energy crisis' in Europe at the moment is self-inflicted. Because of the above, because a ban on fracking (gas is still used but then it has to be imported), because no Russian gas when there is no alternative in place.
    - rasz 4y ago
      This is how insane Germany still is: https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/berlin-eyes-oil-fired-powerships-to-secure-electricity-for-the-winter/ https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/berlin-eyes-oil... >But despite warnings of multi-hour blackouts, Economy and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck confirmed the country’s planned nuclear power phase-out by the end of 2022. >Germany’s nuclear exit will only be forestalled by a temporary cold reserve of two power plants, which could be reactivated if needed to ensure grid stability in the country’s South >On Monday, Berlin decided to mothball two of its nuclear reactors for months despite a host of experts insisting they continue running, while the third will be shut down completely, to be replaced by swimming oil-fired power plants.
      - ZeroGravitas 4y ago
        Yes, its a popular diversionary technique to point to their phaseout of nuclear, which isnt even their worst decision, as proof that they're not serious about climate change, or they're destroying their economy or sacrificing their security because they are serious about insane green concerns. But they're still a world leader on this stuff, despite their faults, and the people who continually focus on their nuclear phase out seem to be repeating talking points they don't even understand, because they are a world leader on this.
        rasz 4y ago
        "replaced by swimming oil-fired power plants."
        ZeroGravitas 4y ago
        This is like complaining that someone hired an ICE car while they wait for their EV delivery. Short-term, relocatable, oil-based power stations are not a good long term answer, but as a short term fix they're probably better than keeping nuclear open in terms of cost/benefit. If you're trying to catch them out, for whatever reason, then their continued coal usage is probably a better thing to point to. Hiring temporary power stations while the whole of europe is in a gas crisis seems totally reasonable.

ZeroGravitas 4y ago

Every country is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. It's a tough area for politicians to take on unless they're feeling very brave, because they have deep pockets, and some policitians just look at who is writing the checks.

mytailorisrich 4y ago
When a country like Germany is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for electricity this is a policy choice, not an inevitability. Not all countries are in the same situation. Different choices can and have been made.
- ZeroGravitas 4y ago
  You don't specify which countries are doing better though, so it's hard to tell what basis you are making that claim on.
  - mytailorisrich 4y ago
    It's plain to see that Germany's policy has been a disaster (not only Germany, the UK is a massive shambles). The Netherlands are still using fossil fuels for about 40-50% of their electricity. Etc. France, for instance, has had problems recently but at least they made the decision to replace fossil fuels for electricity decades ago by going all in on nuclear (and hydro wherever dams were possible). So these are choices. More generally, the so-called 'energy crisis' in Europe at the moment is self-inflicted. Because of the above, because a ban on fracking (gas is still used but then it has to be imported), because no Russian gas when there is no alternative in place.
  - rasz 4y ago
    This is how insane Germany still is: https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/berlin-eyes-oil-fired-powerships-to-secure-electricity-for-the-winter/ https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/berlin-eyes-oil... >But despite warnings of multi-hour blackouts, Economy and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck confirmed the country’s planned nuclear power phase-out by the end of 2022. >Germany’s nuclear exit will only be forestalled by a temporary cold reserve of two power plants, which could be reactivated if needed to ensure grid stability in the country’s South >On Monday, Berlin decided to mothball two of its nuclear reactors for months despite a host of experts insisting they continue running, while the third will be shut down completely, to be replaced by swimming oil-fired power plants.
    - ZeroGravitas 4y ago
      Yes, its a popular diversionary technique to point to their phaseout of nuclear, which isnt even their worst decision, as proof that they're not serious about climate change, or they're destroying their economy or sacrificing their security because they are serious about insane green concerns. But they're still a world leader on this stuff, despite their faults, and the people who continually focus on their nuclear phase out seem to be repeating talking points they don't even understand, because they are a world leader on this.
      - rasz 4y ago
        "replaced by swimming oil-fired power plants."
        ZeroGravitas 4y ago
        This is like complaining that someone hired an ICE car while they wait for their EV delivery. Short-term, relocatable, oil-based power stations are not a good long term answer, but as a short term fix they're probably better than keeping nuclear open in terms of cost/benefit. If you're trying to catch them out, for whatever reason, then their continued coal usage is probably a better thing to point to. Hiring temporary power stations while the whole of europe is in a gas crisis seems totally reasonable.