Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) has not ruled out short-term continued operation of the Bavarian nuclear power plant Isar 2. However, this depends on the result of the ongoing stress test on energy security, she told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung". The CSU demanded that all three nuclear power plants still in operation be extended by several years.
According to a survey, a majority of Greens voters are now in favor of extending the lifetime of the remaining nuclear power plants in Germany. If the stress test shows "that Bavaria could actually have a serious electricity or grid problem, then we will evaluate this situation and the options that then exist," said Lemke. In the heated debate, she advises making decisions based on facts. "You can't judge a high-risk technology based on daily surveys."
In March, the Ministries for Economic Affairs and the Environment led by the Greens rejected an extension of the service life for the three remaining German nuclear power plants in an examination of electricity security in Germany, also referring to safety and liability risks. Another so-called stress test on energy security is now underway, the results of which should be available in the coming weeks.
Lemke made it clear to "FAS" that the situation with regard to the Bavarian kiln Isar 2 had changed since the spring. "In March, the power plant operators assured us that the fuel elements would be used up by the end of the year, and that only stretching operation in 2023 would be possible if the output was reduced accordingly in 2022. Everyone agreed that this would not make sense," she emphasized. "We were later informed that the fuel elements in the Isar 2 nuclear power plant could last a few months longer."
The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" on Saturday that it was not just about "stretching operations for three months". What is needed is “a reliable basis by mid-2024”. He dismissed the fact that Bavaria had "a special problem" with the electricity supply because "there was not enough renewable energy there". The FDP is also promoting the possibility of at least limited continued operation beyond the turn of the year. "There is much to be said for not shutting down the safe and climate-friendly nuclear power plants, but using them until 2024 if necessary," said FDP leader Christian Linder.
Lindner called on Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) to stop electricity production using gas. "We have to work to ensure that the gas crisis is not followed by an electricity crisis," he said. "Therefore, gas can no longer be used to produce electricity, as is still happening."
In the general population, 70 percent would vote for the extension, 20 percent against and 10 percent are undecided. The Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management warned of an increase in nuclear waste if the lifetime is extended. Until a repository is put into operation, there will be "only interim storage facilities with a time-limited safety guarantee for decades," said the head of the nuclear safety department, Mareike Rüffer.
