Will the nuclear phase-out be delayed after all? The German government wants to reconsider the continued operation of the three German reactors. The FDP is putting on the pressure, but calls the speed limit “horse trading.
German spiegel website: The German government is leaving the door open for continued operation of the three remaining nuclear power plants in Germany beyond the end of the year. A government spokeswoman said in Berlin on Monday that the question of nuclear power plants had not been an ideological one for the federal government from the start, but a purely technical one.
She referred to an announced second stress test on the safety of the power supply. “That is the basis of decisions.” A spokeswoman for Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) said decisions would be made on the basis of facts and analysis. There is now the second stress test calculation that is being prepared to once again tap other scenarios, she said. The first calculation had already assumed very tightened assumptions, he said. “But nevertheless, we are now calculating again and will then decide on the basis of clear facts.”
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Result of stress test “in the next few weeks”
On Sunday, the Economics Ministry had announced a second stress test on the security of power supply in Germany. The aim, it said, was to determine whether security of supply in the electricity sector and the safe operation of the grid were guaranteed under more stringent assumptions. Results are expected “in the next few weeks”.
Under current law, the three nuclear power plants Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim 2 must be shut down by December 31, 2022 at the latest. Economics Minister Habeck and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) had advised against longer operating times for the nuclear power plants in a review note in March. A small contribution to the energy supply would be countered by major economic, legal and safety risks, they said at the time.
A spokesman for the German Environment Ministry has now reiterated that the debate about extending the operating lives of nuclear power plants is “in the realm of speculation. The March review had “quite clearly” shown “that we do not recommend an extension of the operating life in the current situation.
Union brings compromise with speed limit into play
The CDU/CSU welcomed the renewed stress test. The environmental policy spokeswoman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, Anja Weisgerber, said on Monday, “As the CDU/CSU, we have been pointing out a possible electricity shortfall, especially in the south, for months. The traffic light government must ensure security of supply and draw all necessary options for this. And this includes the temporary continued operation of the last three nuclear power plants.”
On Monday, Jens Spahn had also suggested a possible compromise. Should the Greens, for example, back down from their veto on extending the operating lives of nuclear power plants, one could also think about a nationwide speed limit on highways, the former health minister said on ARD’s “Morgenmagazin.”
