Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has rejected calls from the FDP for the continued operation of nuclear power plants in Germany beyond mid-April. Because of the energy crisis as a result of the Ukraine war, its duration was extended to April 15.
Habeck said on Wednesday after a meeting with Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) in Berlin when asked whether an extension of the term was an issue: “That was not an issue today and it will no longer be an issue.” From his point of view, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) “finally” decided that the nuclear power plants would be used this winter and not beyond.
Actually, the three remaining nuclear power plants should have gone offline on December 31st. Because of the energy crisis as a result of the Ukraine war, its term was extended to April 15 after a word of authority from Scholz.
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai said on Tuesday: “The FDP is still available to extend the service life of the three remaining nuclear power plants beyond April 2023.” In addition to the development of electricity prices, his party is concerned that CO2 emissions are not rising fast enough sink because too much coal has to be burned. Wissing also questioned the nuclear phase-out in April.
