Olaf Scholz estimated this Wednesday that “it may make sense” to extend the useful life of the last three nuclear power plants in operation in Germany, partly deprived of Russian gas and that fears an energy crisis. These plants “are only relevant for the production of electricity and only for a small part of it”, but “it can still make sense”, the German chancellor affirmed. Germany has decided in principle to phase out nuclear power by the end of this year.
The shortage of Russian gas deliveries to Germany, however, has once again put on the table the question of keeping the last plants in operation longer than expected, in the face of the gas crisis. Berlin must decide in the coming weeks on a possible expansion of these plants based on new knowledge in progress.
Once the results of this “stress test” are known “we will draw our conclusions”, the Chancellor said on a visit to Mülheim an der Ruhr (west) at the site of the industrial Siemens Energy, where a gas turbine was repaired and was intended to equip a Russian gas pipeline to Europe is waiting to be transported to Russia. The three nuclear power plants still in operation – in Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg – currently compete for 6% of the net electricity production in Germany.
Development of renewable energy slower than expected
The issue of its extension divides the government coalition, with the Greens skeptical, Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party so far reserved, and the FDP Liberals in favour. It is also claimed by the conservative union CDU-CSU in opposition. Olaf Scholz justified the current reflections on a nuclear extension on the fact that the development of renewable energies, which are supposed to replace nuclear power and coal, is slower than expected. It is “very different from region to region in Germany,” he said.
“This is particularly true in Bavaria, which has made slow progress with the expansion of wind power,” he said, in a speech addressed to this historically conservative and energy-intensive region. “We will support all regions of Germany as best we can” for the energy supply of “all citizens of Germany and all companies”, assured Olaf Scholz.
Source: BFM TV
