Germany’s decarbonized, denuclearized, and de-Russian natural gas equation that can never be solved Prime Minister Scholz also suggests extending the operation of nuclear power plants to the increasingly serious energy shortage (1/4) | JBpress (JBpress)

Chancellor Scholz Suggests Extending Nuclear Power Plant Operations as Energy Shortages Grow More Serious

Chancellor Scholz hinted at extending nuclear power plant operation (Photo: Archyde.com/Aflo)

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(Yosuke Tsuchida: Deputy Chief Researcher, Mitsubishi UFJ Research & Consulting)

Prime Minister Scholz finally hinted at extending the operation of nuclear power plants

Germany’s energy policy is in turmoil. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested on August 3 that three nuclear power plants, which had been scheduled to shut down by the end of the year, may continue to operate. Originally, Germany was aiming to completely phase out nuclear power by the end of 2022, but due to energy shortages after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it was forced to revise its plan to phase out nuclear power.

Just after Russia invaded Ukraine in April 2022, the Scholz administration was determined to stick to renewable energy, as evidenced by the announcement of an energy bill aiming for 100% renewable energy generation by 2035. In June, however, he announced a policy to temporarily strengthen coal-fired power generation, which would run counter to the idea of ​​decarbonization, although he described it as “painful.”

It was Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Robert Herbeck, co-leader of the influential Green Party/Alliance 90 party in the coalition government, who announced the temporary boost to coal-fired power generation. For the party, phase-out of nuclear power generation is the party motto. It seems that the party decided that it would be easier to gain the understanding of the party’s supporters by strengthening coal-fired power rather than postponing the phase-out of nuclear power.

On the other hand, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which supports the Scholz administration as the third party, attaches great importance to the voice of the business community. The party was originally cautious about phasing out nuclear power from the standpoint of increased costs, and had distanced itself from the Scholz administration’s policy of 100% renewable energy. For this reason, the FDP was among the first to respond positively to the growing momentum in Germany to extend the operation of nuclear power plants.

Ultimately, the lack of energy has changed voters’ perceptions, and a major factor has been the fostering of a mood in which the extension of nuclear power plant operations is more likely to be tolerated.