Actually, the last three nuclear power plants in Germany should go offline at the end of the year.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin, Dusseldorf The Essen energy supplier Eon is open to talks about a possible extension of the operating times for nuclear power plants in Germany. “In this exceptional situation, we as Eon are ready to talk about the technical, organizational and regulatory framework conditions under which extended use of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant would be possible, provided that this is expressly desired by the federal government,” said a spokesman on Monday.
The Baden-Württemberg energy group EnBW made a similar statement. “Should it become necessary in further developments as a result of the war in Ukraine to examine measures that are essential for security of supply and deviate from this path, we will of course be available to advise and help with our experience and know-how to explore all possibilities open to technology,” said a spokeswoman.
On Sunday, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) also brought an extension of the operating times for the three remaining nuclear power plants in Germany into play in order to make Germany’s energy supply less dependent on natural gas imports from Russia. So far, the three nuclear companies Eon, EnBW and RWE have always spoken out against a possible lifetime extension.
The energy group RWE sticks to its position: “Continued operation would not be feasible without further ado – unlike with coal-fired power plants, for example. There are extremely high hurdles for this, both technically and in terms of approval,” explained RWE. Nevertheless, one understands that the federal government is examining all options.
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Eon and EnBW also emphasized that they continue to stand “unreservedly by Germany’s decision to phase out the use of nuclear energy”.
More: Will the Ukraine war bring about a change in the energy transition?
