The green wobble. Many expect that the party around Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck will give in and clear the way for longer operation of the nuclear power plants in Germany. In an interview, Habeck is already talking about a “special scenario”.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) does not rule out the continued operation of the remaining nuclear power plants in Germany beyond the end of the year under certain conditions. In the so-called stress test, a “special scenario” could arise, Habeck said on Tuesday in the “RTL Aktuell” program. “The relevant question that needs to be asked is whether the electricity grid stability needs to be secured through further measures this year.”
In order to ensure sufficient reverse voltage in the grid, a certain power plant capacity is necessary. “And now we’re looking at whether this year is so extreme that a new scenario should be opened for it,” said Habeck. He cited the many currently shut down nuclear power plants in France and the possible lack of rainwater in the mountains to generate electricity as examples.
In contrast, the possibilities for saving gas from nuclear power plants are “very, very small”, stressed Habeck. The savings potential, which he estimated at around 0.5 to 0.7 percent, is disproportionate to the risks of nuclear power and the social debate that would be triggered by continued operation.
The energy expert Claudia Kemfert spoke out against an extension of the lifetime of the AKW, since the effort and yield would be “disproportionate”. The legal situation is complicated, the piles have to be checked for safety and new fuel rods have to be purchased, said the energy economist at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) in the editorial network Germany.
All of this would take a lot of time, said Kemfert. In addition, nuclear power plants only produce six percent of Germany’s electricity. “We have to advance the energy transition and not stick to the old technologies. Nuclear energy is history in Germany,” emphasized Kemfert.
According to current nuclear law, the three remaining nuclear power plants in Germany must be taken off the grid by the end of December at the latest. An initial stress test by the Federal Ministry of Economics for electricity supply in the spring showed that Germany’s security of supply was guaranteed even under difficult conditions.
A second test is currently underway, the result of which is expected in the next few weeks. The SPD and the Greens are skeptical about extending the term of an AKW. Your coalition partner FDP, on the other hand, suggested letting the reactors run until 2024.
