Austria's last coal-fired power station closes as the country pushes renewables

• The Austrian government has set itself ambitious renewable energy goals. 
• The last few months have seen a number of coal-fired plants close.

Natalya Danko | EyeEm | Getty Images

In a move welcomed by environmental organizations, Austria's last operational coal-fired power station has shut down.

The Mellach facility, in the province of Styria, had generated electricity and heat for 34 years, according to Austrian utility Verbund