Germany debates closure of nuclear plants

• 1 year, 11 months ago (2022-08-01)
• David Flin

Europe 1068 Gas 379 Nuclear 643

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Following Russia’s cutting of gas supplies to Europe, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has called for a halt to electricity production using gas and delaying the phaseout of nuclear power. Lindner said: “We have to work on avoiding an electricity crisis on top of the gas crisis.” He said that the German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has the legal powers to stop gas from being used in electricity production if necessary.

Lindner also called for German nuclear power plants to remain in service until 2024, saying that they were safe and climate friendly. Three nuclear plants are due to be decommissioned at the end of December.

However, the Green Party, also part of the ruling coalition, have said that it is fundamentally opposed to the extension of nuclear power. It has said that keeping the currently operating reactors running would be legally and technically complex and would not help ease the gas crisis.

Germany remains heavily dependent on gas from Russia. However, the Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom reduced deliveries through Nord Stream 1 to 20 per cent of maximum capacity, citing unspecified “technical reasons”.