EnBW has operated nuclear power plants in Neckarwestheim since December 1976 (Neckarwestheim I) and April 1989 (Neckarwestheim II). Today, the group likes to present itself as a driver for the expansion of renewable energies.
With the stretching operation of Neckarwestheim 2 planned until April 2023, however, one is happy to collect a few extra millions. In general, nuclear power plant operating companies make a million euros a day with a nuclear power plant. Cashing in profits and passing on the disposal costs to the masses of the population has proven itself as a business model for EnBW shareholders. Until 2011, EnBW had the largest share of nuclear power of all German energy suppliers with Neckarwestheim 1, Obrigheim and Philippsburg. Accordingly, an above-average amount of radioactive waste was generated.
What this means is made clear in the current federal budget. A budget of 2.45 billion euros is planned for 2023 for the environment, nature conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection. Almost half of this total budget – 1.16 billion euros – is planned for the interim and final storage of radioactive waste. What a waste of resources that have to be expended annually due to the eternally long exposure time of radioactive waste. Cheap nuclear power is one of the biggest and most brazen lies of nuclear power operators and their compliant politicians. Its basis is short-term profit at the expense of the environment and future generations. Immediate decommissioning of all nuclear power plants. Elimination of environmental damage at the expense of the polluter!
45 percent of the shares in EnBW belong to the state of Baden-Württemberg. The state government under Winfried Kretschmann is therefore primarily responsible for the orientation of EnBW.
EnBW is currently entering the long-term business with liquid gas from the USA. There are supply contracts over 20 years with Venture Global LNG from Arlington (Virginia). According to dpa information, “EnBW is the first major customer at the LNG terminal in Stade and has booked capacities on a long-term basis. 3 billion cubic meters of liquid gas are to be imported per year via the terminal on the Elbe, which is scheduled to go into operation at the beginning of 2027”.¹