A moment for the history books: Germany’s last three nuclear power plants will go offline on Saturday. The final closure is expected shortly before midnight. After more than 60 years, the generation of electricity from nuclear energy in Germany has come to an end. Opponents of nuclear energy want to accompany the end with rallies in various cities.
While the political debate has simmered over and over in recent days, operators have been preparing for the deadline well in advance. The capacity of the reactors Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim 2 is continuously reduced. The generator is then disconnected from the power grid and the reactor is shut down completely.
The nuclear power plants should have been taken off the grid at the end of last year. However, due to the Russian offensive war against Ukraine and the ensuing energy crisis, the traffic light coalition decided last year to keep the last three plants running through the winter. According to the amended Atomic Energy Act, they must now be permanently shut down on Saturday.
The political debate about nuclear power plants continues
The political debate over the continued existence of the furnace is not over yet. FDP Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai called for this technology not to be completely abandoned: “Nuclear energy must also have a future in Germany after the phase-out. This includes expanding research in nuclear fusion and exploiting the opportunities presented by new and safer nuclear fission technologies.”
If it is up to FDP chairman Christian Lindner, the three nuclear power plants should remain in reserve and not be dismantled. “If we had to bring them online in two or three years, we would have this opportunity,” the finance minister told Welt Television on Friday evening. But that failed because of the coalition partner Greens.
Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder said in an interview with the ARD “Tagesthemen” on Friday evening that he believed in a new version of nuclear energy. “We feel this great energy crisis, we need every ounce of energy,” said the CSU politician.
The Prime Minister of Hesse, Boris Rhein, called for more research into new technologies. “The war in Ukraine and the energy crisis show us that we have to position ourselves broadly. With a view to phasing out nuclear energy, we must promote research that is open to all technologies. Don’t just get out, get in,” he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
Relief for the Greens
German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens), on the other hand, looks with relief at the approaching end of nuclear energy. “Phasing out nuclear energy makes Germany safer,” said the Green politician. “The risks of nuclear energy are ultimately unmanageable in the event of an accident.”
Former German environment minister Jürgen Trittin (Greens) told the editorial network Germany that if the nuclear power plants continue to operate, there is a risk of becoming dependent on Russia again. The FDP has to answer the question whether they “then want to get the uranium back from Russia”. “We have just freed ourselves from our dependence on gas. I don’t want to begrudge Putin this deal,” Trittin said.
“Historic Day”
The environmental organization Greenpeace spoke of a “historic day”. Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Austria’s Greenpeace, said on Saturday: “This is a huge milestone on the road to renewable energy and a secure and green energy future. At the same time, however, nuclear power is threatening to experience a renaissance in other EU countries, such as France, under the pseudo-argument of climate protection.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
