Considered world leaders in renewable energy, Germany is at risk of losing the title as it threatens the homes and livelihoods of thousands with plans to create new coal mines and power plants across the country.

In the eastern region of Lausitz, nine villages are under threat, where up to 3000 people may lose their homes to make way for five lignite mines.

The country's reintroduced thirst for coal is being quenched by proposals to build power stations across the country.

Two further mines are under consideration in Lausitz as well as a planned plant in the 700- year-old village of Atterwasch, close to the Polish border.

Atterwasch locals told the BBC that when plans were proposed in 2001, it changed their lives entirely.

Facing the whole village being demolished, residents were concerned for their homes, incomes and the prospect of mass relocations.

Two lignite plants were opened in 2012. Another two hard-coal plants opened in 2013, with a further five due to open this year or next.

Two more are waiting licensing.

As a result, lignite production in 2012 hit its highest level for 20 years. Initial estimates proposed it was used to generate 162billion kilowatt hours of electricity last year, the highest since 1990.

The use of hard coal also increased. The two energy sources accounted for 46% of Germany's energy production for 2013.

However, critics say that the new power stations will not last.

The majority of the plants erected last year and those due to be built this year and next, were granted permission more than 10 years ago when commodity prices were much higher.

They argued that such large investments were not viable in today’s economic climate.

For a country that has pledged to cut is greenhouse emission in half by 2020, the emergence of new coal plants may see promises broken and potential political and social turmoil.