Germany shuts down three nuclear power plants amid European energy crisis

Germany

High inflation, which has increased food and manufacturing prices, is driven strongly by high energy prices in Sweden and other parts of Europe, among others. Despite the energy crisis, Germany is choosing to continue with its plans to close its last three nuclear power plants in operation.

The decision to shut down the last three German nuclear power plants was already made before the energy crisis, but after Russia invaded Ukraine, Germany decided to postpone the shutdown. Now on Saturday, April 15, the deadline for German nuclear power expires, and then the decision to shut down is finalized and implemented.

Sixteen reactors have been shut down

Germany has long had plans to phase out nuclear power, but after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Fukushima, the country accelerated the shutdown.

Despite protests, the historic decision to phase out all German nuclear power by 2022 was made under the leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel. 16 reactors have been shut down since 2003, and the last will be shut down on Saturday.

Dependence on carbon

Germany is highly dependent on coal. A third of the country’s energy production comes from fossil fuels – which in Germany will already be completely phased out in 15 years. To phase out coal, the Germans must implement huge investments in solar and wind power.

However, critical voices worry that solar and wind power will not be enough to replace nuclear and coal. This development will lead to continued high electricity prices for Germany and the rest of Europe.

Countries are investing in nuclear power

While Germany is phasing out nuclear power, there are other countries investing in nuclear power. UK invests £700m in new nuclear power plant in Suffolk The investment will create 10,000 jobs and power 6 million British homes over 50 years.

Britain sees nuclear power as a sustainable alternative to importing gas and oil from other countries. By 2050, 25 percent of the country’s energy is planned to come from nuclear energy.

Photo: Freepik