The Fessenheim nuclear power plant has been shut down – but the problems remain. Franco-German flagship projects in the area are not making any headway. A regional politician is now speaking.
Colmar (dpa / lsw) – The mayor of Colmar, Éric Straumann, has criticized the decommissioning of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant in Alsace and has called for more commitment from the German side in follow-up projects. That includes the expansion of the railway line from Freiburg to Colmar with an estimated cost of around 300 million euros, said the eastern French regional politician from the civil rights of the German Press Agency.
“The Germans prevailed because they always wanted Fessenheim to be closed,” said Straumann, referring to the shutdown two years ago. “Since the shutdown was approved, they (the Germans) have been less active and less present.” Straumann, who is also one of the vice-presidents of the European local authority Alsace, added, referring to the energy crisis and possible power cuts in the winter: “From our point of view, the closure of Fessenheim was a complete absurdity.”
France’s liberal President Emmanuel Macron had written the end for Fessenheim on the flags. The power plant was shut down in 2020. The country continues to rely on nuclear energy. However, the plants are aging: half of the 56 nuclear power plants are currently off the grid for maintenance and repairs. Paris is therefore building on electricity supplies from Germany in winter and wants to help out with gas in return.
