In the discussion about an extended use of German nuclear power plants, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Economics Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens) is skeptical. In a possible gas shortage, nuclear power plants could only make a contribution of 0.2 to 0.9 percent, said the minister on Thursday in the ZDF “Morgenmagazin”. She referred to studies according to which the demand for gas would fall only slightly if electricity from nuclear reactors were used instead of gas-fired power plants.
On the other hand, there is great potential for saving energy and using energy efficiently, said Neubaur. You now have to spend energy everywhere to “save gas, prepare and do everything to ensure that we get through the winter as safely as possible”.
In addition, Neubaur emphasized that one should first wait for the result of a nuclear power plant stress test commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Economics before deciding to continue using nuclear power plants. “Of course, this stress test will be seriously considered and seriously tested, but we’ll wait for the data and the facts and then decide.”
In view of the drastically reduced gas supplies from Russia, discussions have flared up about allowing the German nuclear power plants, which will be connected to the grid until the end of the year, to run longer than previously planned. Supporters come from the ranks of the CDU and CSU, but also from the FDP.
When asked whether she ruled out “stretching operation” – i.e. continued operation of the nuclear power plant with old fuel rods at reduced power – Neubaur referred to what had already been achieved in saving energy on ZDF. “We will use almost 15 percent less gas in the first few months of 2022 than in the previous year.” This shows that the industry is on the move and making savings. She also appealed to consumers to save energy and, for example, to ensure that the heating is serviced.
