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Fri, Apr 14

What Germany's Nuclear Shutdown Means for Europe's Grids

This week, EURACTIV reported on how Germany shut off its final nuclear power plants. This decision is at the center of a debate regarding the future of grids in Europe.

 

Germany had used nuclear energy for over 60 years. This decision officially came as being based on concern for safety. The 2011 Fukushima disaster fueled the movement to end Germany’s use of nuclear power. Although being anti-nuclear energy is often considered “left-wing”, the conservative government, led by Angela Merkel, made the decision last year to shut down the nuclear power plants. Interestingly, politicians from the left and right in Germany have criticized the elimination of nuclear energy.

 

A majority of Germans favor the shutdown. But some are claiming that this decision could jeopardize Germany’s energy security. This is an important topic since Germany previously came under fire for being too dependent on Russia for energy. Some have also questioned whether eliminating nuclear energy is actually better for the environment, given that it does not have carbon emissions. 

 

For now, Germany’s decision is final, but this does not end with Germany. There is political pressure for France, a country known for significantly relying on nuclear energy, to follow Germany’s lead. Additionally, there is some talk that the European Union could demand all of its member states decrease or eliminate nuclear energy.

 

Germany’s decision has caused tension with France. The two nations had an economic partnership over several of the reactors. While France still has an economic partnership with Germany, this still decreases the scale of their partnership. Additionally, as the political debate raged in Germany, they used insulting language about France’s use of nuclear energy. Still, their relationship is not at a crisis for now.

 

For people following the debate over energy should not come as a surprise. But this debate is far from over. While these disagreements could be chalked up to politics, they have real consequences. Anti-nuclear advocates hope that decisions like Germany’s will force them to use solar and wind power. Nuclear advocates believe this is going to strain Germany’s grid further. 

 

There should be proof in a few years, if not sooner, about what side is right. But unfortunately, it seems people will not listen to evidence, so this debate will likely continue no matter what. Maybe there will be room for some sort of consensus, where nuclear energy is allowed, but safety concerns are placated. But nuclear advocates would argue this has already happened, and anti-nuclear advocates would claim this is impossible.

 

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