German Vice Chancellor: "Nuclear Phase-Out Irreversible... No New Nuclear Power Plants"

Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Green Party), stated on the 10th (local time) that Germany's nuclear phase-out is irreversible.

He said that the three nuclear power plants?Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2, and Emsland?which will cease operations on the 15th (local time), will soon be dismantled.

Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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He pointed out that new nuclear power plant constructions in countries like France, the United Kingdom, and Finland have proven to be economic failures, and that German operators have no interest in building new nuclear plants. He predicted, "Our energy system will be built differently," adding, "By 2030, the scale of power generation from renewable energy will reach 80%."

Regarding the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), which co-governs the German traffic light coalition government and has reiterated its opposition to the final nuclear phase-out amid the energy crisis, he responded, "We are implementing the nuclear phase-out decided in 2011 by the center-right Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) alliance and the Free Democratic Party."

Germany will permanently shut down the remaining three nuclear power plants?Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2, and Emsland?at midnight on the 15th, ending its use of nuclear power.

Originally, Germany had promised to phase out nuclear power by the end of last year, but due to the energy crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Chancellor extended the operation of the remaining three nuclear plants until April 15. Nuclear power has accounted for 5% of Germany's total electricity production.

Vice Chancellor Habeck assured that energy supply security can be guaranteed despite the nuclear phase-out.

He promised, "Energy supply stability in Germany was ensured even during the difficult last winter and will continue to be guaranteed." He explained that gas storage facilities are full, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals have been constructed along the North Sea coast, and renewable energy production has increased, enabling control over energy supply.

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