Germany Extends Nuclear Plant Lifespan Until April Next Year... Chancellor Scholz Enforces by Executive Order

Prime Minister Directly Intervenes Amid Green Party Opposition
End of Nuclear Phase-Out Policy Continued Since 2011

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that he will unilaterally extend the operation of nuclear power plants, a controversial issue within German politics. The discussion on the extension had stalled due to strong opposition from the Green Party, one of the key parties in the German coalition government, leading the Chancellor to intervene directly. Amid a severe energy crisis triggered by Russia's threat to cut gas supplies, Germany has officially ended its nuclear phase-out policy after 11 years.

According to AFP on the 17th (local time), Chancellor Scholz sent a letter to ministers stating, "We will establish a legal basis to allow the operation of 33 nuclear reactors, including Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2, and Emsland, to be extended from December 31 this year until April 15 next year," and requested that the related bill be promptly submitted to the cabinet as part of responsibility sharing.

This marks the conclusion of the prolonged debate over nuclear plant extensions among the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, and the Free Democratic Party within the German coalition government. Until now, the German Green Party had agreed to extend the operation of Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2 but insisted that the Emsland plant be decommissioned as of January 1 next year. However, with the intensifying threat of Russia cutting gas supplies and growing concerns over the energy crisis this winter, the Green Party is understood to have agreed to extend all three nuclear plants.

With the decision to extend the operation of these three nuclear plants, Germany has officially ended its nuclear phase-out policy that had been in place since 2011. Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in 2011, Germany pursued a nuclear phase-out policy and declared that it would completely shut down all nuclear plants by the end of this year, having already closed 14 out of the 17 reactors.

Facing a fuel shortage this winter that even forced the reactivation of coal-fired power plants, Germany is expected to take a step back from the energy crisis. Regarding Chancellor Scholz's decision, Marco Buschmann, Minister of Justice from the FDP, welcomed it, saying, "Common sense has prevailed. This will strengthen the country by ensuring more supply chains, safety, and lower electricity costs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.