The second grid stress test came to the conclusion “that crisis situations in the electricity system that lasted by the hour in the winter of 22/23 are very unlikely, but cannot be completely ruled out at the moment,” said a statement from his ministry. “We’re not in a situation where we can hope for the best, we have to expect the worst,” said Habeck. It cannot be ruled out that nuclear power plants might make a contribution to the tense situation. This is a debate that traditionally causes high political waves in Germany, binds many emotions and has occupied the republic for a long time, he said regarding the operation of nuclear power plants.
Because Russia is supplying less gas and in view of the sharp rise in energy prices, discussions have been going on in Germany for months regarding a possible longer operation of the three remaining nuclear power plants. According to Habeck, it is also planned that the remaining Meiler Isar 2 in Lower Bavaria, Emsland in Lower Saxony and Neckarwestheim 2 in Baden-Württemberg will go offline at the end of the year. “We are sticking to the phase-out of nuclear power, as regulated in the Atomic Energy Act,” he said.
“All parties have their position on this,” said Habeck. “Some have corrected their stance, others have not, and some are constantly correcting their stance.” It is his job in this situation to free himself from it. “We as the government and I, as the minister responsible for security of supply in Germany, have to make the right decision. And I will do everything necessary to ensure this security of supply,” he said.
Previously, not only the opposition Union, but also the FDP, which is part of the government, had campaigned for the continued operation of the nuclear power plants. The FDP is dissatisfied with the fact that only two out of three possible nuclear power plants are to be held in reserve. “It’s a matter of common sense to enable every climate-neutral kilowatt hour now, because the gas-fired power plants drive up prices,” tweeted FDP Vice Johannes Vogel. Vogel continues: “Habeck’s emergency reserve is a step, but also appears as a political emergency exit. The FDP stays tuned: for the continued operation of the 3 nuclear power plants!”
The leaders of the Union faction have criticized the German government’s decision to keep two of the three remaining nuclear power plants as emergency reserves until mid-April as a fatal mistake and motivated by party politics. “In this crisis, these three nuclear power plants might deliver energy and electricity for Germany safely, reliably and affordably. And they should continue to do so for at least the next two winters,” said Jens Spahn, deputy leader of the Union faction, on Monday in Berlin.
