Germany Mulls Extending Lifespan of Nuclear Power Plants as EU Energy Crisis Worsens
It appears that Germany may soon be forced to do a sheepish 180-degree U-turn on its green energy policy, and extend the lifespan of its remaining nuclear power plants in an effort to avert a full-blown energy crisis in the region.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz signalled he is open to extending the lifespan of the country’s three nuclear energy plants, in an effort to secure its energy needs amid growing uncertainty surrounding the Ukraine conflict. “The economy minister has commissioned an intensified worst-case scenario calculation. Let’s have a look at that,” Scholz said, referring to the German government’s previous decision to shut off the nuclear facilities by the end of the year.
German economy minister Robert Habeck recently delegated a new stress test for the country’s energy infrastructure, after a previous analysis estimated that energy supply wouldn’t be in peril come next winter even in the absence of nuclear energy. “We will once again calculate now and will then decide on the basis of clear facts,” with respect to extending Germany’s nuclear power capabilities, explained a government spokesperson as cited by Bloomberg.
Up until now, the Green Party has held an adamant stance against expanding the lifespan of the three nuclear power plants, citing high refurbishing and environmental costs. Instead, Habeck has been a strong proponent of building a new LNG terminal that would accept natural gas shipments from the US or other international destinations aside from Russia. In addition, he also insisted that Germany bolster its solar and wind energy infrastructure, as well as keep coal-powered plants on standby for a rainy day.
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