Will the three remaining nuclear power plants in Germany remain connected to the grid after the end of the year? A stress test should discuss this question, among other things. In the end, however, it is also a highly political decision. The idea causes considerable abdominal pain, especially among the Greens.
After weeks of examination, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck is presenting the results of the second stress test on the security of energy supply this evening. As announced at the Federal Press Conference, the Green Minister will appear in front of the press at 6 p.m. together with representatives of several transmission system operators. The central question of the examination is whether it is considered necessary to continue operating nuclear power plants in winter.
According to the current legal situation, the last three German nuclear power plants will be taken off the grid at the end of the year. In March, the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Federal Environment Ministry rejected a possible continued operation after an examination. In view of the tense situation on the energy markets and the lack of Russian gas deliveries, the government decided to carry out another stress test to ensure the security of the energy supply.
The Union has been warning of possible power outages in winter for weeks and is calling for three other nuclear power plants that were shut down last year to be reactivated. In the traffic light coalition, the FDP in particular is promoting the continued operation of the three power plants that are still in operation - and does not rule out the purchase of new fuel rods, which would make it possible to extend the service life by several years.
In the case of the Greens, Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke has not ruled out a short-term continued operation of at least the Bavarian nuclear power plant Isar 2 via a so-called stretch operation. With him, nuclear power plants would only remain connected to the grid for a few weeks or months beyond the turn of the year without new fuel rods being used. In parts of the green basis, however, resistance is also high here.
SPD leader Saskia Esken reiterated that her party would at most agree to a stretching operation. The SPD was "in no way prepared" to extend the service life by several years or even to put old reactors back into operation, she said in Berlin.
