Federal Economics Minister Habeck defends his plan to leave two nuclear power plants on the grid as an emergency reserve in winter. In the ARD talk show "Maischberger" he also announces further help for medium-sized companies.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck has defended his plans to run two nuclear power plants as an emergency reserve from next year. The nuclear power plants in question were designed to go offline at the end of the year. That is why certain security checks did not take place, said the minister on the ARD program "Maischberger". "I find the frivolity - or sometimes the fickleness - that can be observed in the discussion about the preservation of nuclear energy, irritating."
The stress test required by his ministry showed that Germany could have an energy problem if the current problems abroad were not solved. In France, for example, nuclear power plants that are currently not running would have to be connected to the grid again. Another problem could arise if the level of the Rhine remained low and the water reservoirs in the Alps could not be filled. "We have to prepare for this scenario."
However, the stress test also shows that Germany would have no electricity and energy worries if these problems were solved. The decision was right and wise. According to Habeck, nuclear power plants only played a marginal role in solving possible problems. "We have to change something in the energy system and we are working on that." But this is about nuclear power plants, "and nuclear power plants are not toys," said the minister.
A gap in electricity stability can only be filled with a package of measures. According to Habeck, this could include curbing unnecessary energy consumption and switching on new energy sources.
The politician indirectly criticized Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder, who advocates the continued operation of the three nuclear power plants that are still on the grid. "Of course, if a country decides to phase out nuclear and coal energy, but is constantly reluctant to build something like alternative energy or the necessary electricity grids, then you have a problem."
Habeck had declared on Monday evening that he wanted to run the nuclear power plants Isar 2 in Bavaria and Neckarwestheim in Baden-Württemberg longer than previously planned. They should be available from January as a reserve in case of possible energy problems. While coalition partner SPD has already spoken out in favor of this solution, the FDP, as the third party in the traffic light government, is against it. FDP parliamentary group leader Dürr warned in the morning program of ARD and ZDF on Tuesday that every kilowatt hour is now important because of the Russian gas supply stop.
Habeck also announced an aid program for endangered medium-sized industries. Even if he does not assume a wave of insolvencies, certain companies would have to be supported similar to the Corona crisis because they might have to stop production at short notice. As an example, he cited bakeries, where not only the high electricity and gas prices but also the increased prices for raw materials such as wheat drove up costs. His ministry is working on a program to help these businesses.
"It's going to be a tough winter," said Habeck. There will also be financial impositions on the population. "But if we get through this winter, it will be easier afterwards," predicts the minister.
