On May 13, 2020 (local time), Greenpeace activists project the phrase ‘Prepare for energy transition’ with a laser on the outer wall of the cooling tower of the Philipsburg nuclear power plant in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. EPA Yonhap News
On the 15th (local time), Germany will completely suspend the operation of three nuclear power plants currently in operation and open the era of nuclear power generation.
Three nuclear power plants, Isar 2, Necavestheim 2, and Emsland, will operate only until the 15th, and operations will be completely suspended.
Previously, after the 2011 earthquake in East Japan caused an accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, then Chancellor Angela Merkel greatly advanced the nuclear power plant schedule set for 2036 to 2022. However, as concerns over energy shortages arose following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz decided to extend the operation of three nuclear power plants in October last year until April 15 this year.
Concerns over nuclear phase-out have not subsided. This could lead to disruptions in energy supply. Nuclear power currently accounts for 6% of Germany’s total energy. In addition, although it is a temporary measure, there are criticisms that it contradicts the German government’s policy goals, such as ‘coal phase out by 2030’ and ‘accomplishment of carbon neutrality by 2045’, while deciding to increase the operation of coal power plants to solve the energy shortage problem.
Decommissioning a nuclear power plant that has stopped operating is also a problem. Germany has to dismantle more than 30 nuclear power plants, including the nuclear power plant that will be shut down on the 15th, but there has not yet been a site to dispose of high-level radioactive waste after nuclear power plant dismantling. The German government originally planned to complete site selection by 2031, but admitted in November last year that it would take longer than planned.
According to the results of a survey published on the 11th by the German weekly Bild am Sontag, 52% of respondents were opposed to shutting down nuclear power plants. 37% of respondents said they were in favor of nuclear phase-out.
Not only the opposition party, but also some members of the Liberal Democratic Party (FDP), which is participating in the ruling coalition, point out that the shutdown of nuclear power plants is premature. Wolfgang Kubiki, deputy head of the FDP, said in an interview with the media of Funke Media Group in Germany that Germany has the safest nuclear power plant in the world.
However, the German government’s will to phase out nuclear power is firm. German government spokesman Christian Hoffmann told The Associated Press on the 13th, “The decision to halt nuclear power generation this Saturday, April 15, is already over.” The German government is in the position that it can sufficiently meet energy demand by increasing the share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy.
Jochen Winkler, the mayor of Nekavestheim, where the nuclear power plant has been shut down, told Euronews, a European broadcaster, “It is natural that there are requests to extend the operation of the nuclear power plant due to high energy prices and concerns about climate change.” Concerns about shortages were raised, but thanks to the large amount of LNG imported, it passed without any problems.”