In a statement released by RWE the company said; 'Due to the continuing boom in solar energy, many power stations throughout the sector and across Europe are no longer profitable to operate. During the first half of 2013, the conventional power generation division's operating result fell by almost two-thirds.'

RWE's German rival, E.On has also said it has shut down or left idle 6.5 GW of generating capacity. As fossil fuels show signs of decline in Germany, the country's record-breaking renewables sector continues to grow stronger.