Berlin When asked regarding the construction of many smaller nuclear power plants in France, Lindner told the “Rheinische Post”: “In the case of nuclear energy, I personally believe that only our grandchildren will re-examine this technology for Germany.” A three-step approach for other forms of energy is more obvious. “First, we must accelerate the expansion of renewable energies, second, develop new import sources for gas, coal, hydrogen and synthetic fuels, and third, evaluate the use of existing coal capacities.”
Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck had on Wednesday It cannot be ruled out that coal-fired power plants in Germany will have to run longer in order to make the country more independent of Russia in terms of energy policy. Security of supply must be guaranteed. Habeck had recently expressed skepticism regarding a longer term for the last German nuclear power plants. The preparations for the shutdown at the end of the year have already progressed too far.
That Habeck underlined the priority of security of supply, was “remarkable for a Green”, said Lindner. He himself considers an extension of the nuclear power plant run times to be difficult. “A reassessment would mean that new fuel would have to be purchased and new permits would have to be issued. A contribution to strengthening our energy supply would not be expected, at least not for the coming winter.”
At the Society for Reactor Safety (GRS) one cannot understand these reservations. An extension of the term is quite possible “if this is politically desired,” said the technical-scientific GRS managing director Uwe Stoll of the “Welt am Sonntag”. “According to the Atomic Energy Act, the nuclear power plants must meet all safety requirements up to the last minute, otherwise the nuclear supervisory authority would have to order appropriate measures or decommissioning.” He might not “understand concerns that things might suddenly be different a day later”.
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The Federation of German Industries (BDI) is once morest a renewed debate on the use of nuclear energy. “I am in favor of not starting a fundamental discussion regarding nuclear power now,” said BDI President Siegfried Russwurm of the “Welt am Sonntag”. Questions such as the disposal of nuclear waste have still not been resolved. It therefore makes more sense to postpone the coal phase-out in order to become less dependent on Russian gas.
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