Germany extends reprieve to nuclear plants
Citing the need to provide "energy security," Chancellor Angela Merkel said nuclear plants built before 1980 will remain open for a further eight years, while newer ones will be allowed to operate for up to 14 additional years, The New York Times reported.
At the same time, Merkel said, more money would be provided for developing renewable energy sources.
Nuclear energy provides 22.6 percent of Germany's electricity consumption, while renewable sources account for 15.6 percent.
Germany could not afford to abandon nuclear power by 2022 because the amount of renewable energy would not be sufficient to make up he for the loss of nuclear power, Merkel said.
"Nuclear energy is a bridge technology," she said.
The leader of the opposition Social Democrats called the new extension a "black day for energy policy."
Sigmar Gabriel has vowed to annul the extension if his party returns to power in the next election, which is not due until 2013.
Related News
Surging electricity demand is putting power systems under strain around the world
LONDON - Global electricity demand surged in 2021, creating strains in major markets, pushing prices to unprecedented levels and driving the power sector’s emissions to a record high. Electricity is central to modern life and clean electricity is pivotal to energy transitions, but in the absence of faster structural change in the sector, rising demand over the next three years could result in additional market volatility and continued high emissions, according an IEA report released today.
Driven by the rapid economic rebound, and more extreme weather conditions than in 2020, including a colder than average winter, last year’s 6% rise in…
