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Nuclear power plant Emsland in Lower Saxony: dispute in the traffic light coalition
Photo: Friso Gentsch / dpa
The economists oppose Robert Habeck's plans to keep two of the three nuclear power plants still in operation in reserve for the coming winter.
And even within the traffic light coalition there is still a need for discussion.
For example, the energy policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, Michael Kruse, is asking the Green Economics Minister for details on the planned reserve operation.
"I'm amazed that Minister Robert Habeck and his ministry still haven't presented a schedule or a concept for the cold reserve," Kruse told the dpa news agency.
»We can expect a timetable for this important topic, because it has to be clarified quickly.«
Kruse referred to criticism from power plant operators about Habeck's plans.
The operator of the Bavarian nuclear power plant Isar 2, Preussen-Elektra boss Guido Knott, had expressed doubts and in a letter criticized the planned reserve operation as "technically not feasible" - which Habeck in turn rejected.
»Continued operation without alternative«
"Therefore, it can only be a matter of leaving the three nuclear power plants connected to the grid for the time when there is a threat of energy shortages," Kruse explained.
»In order to ensure security of supply in winter and to reduce high energy prices, there is no alternative to continuing the operation of nuclear power plants in Germany beyond December 31, 2022.«
Habeck must not endanger the security of supply in Germany "through tactical electoral maneuvers before the state elections in Lower Saxony" on October 9th.
Economic wise advise for the time being to continue operating the nuclear power plants
With reference to the results of a stress test, Habeck had announced that two of the three nuclear power plants should be available as a reserve until mid-April 2023.
The German government's council of experts for assessing overall economic development also criticized this plan.
The nuclear reactors should continue to be operated "at least until the energy crisis has been permanently overcome," wrote the so-called economic experts who advise the federal government on economic issues.
A reserve operation until mid-April next year, which the Greens politician only envisages, is “not expedient”, according to a guest article for the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
Energy ministers discuss high prices
The energy ministers of the federal states are meeting in Hanover this Wednesday to discuss how to deal with the energy crisis.
The focus is on security of supply, rising prices and the stress test presented by the federal government, as announced by the responsible ministry in Lower Saxony.
The country currently chairs the round.
Lower Saxony Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) emphasized that the main topic of discussion was ways to reduce the sometimes "absurdly high" prices, especially for electricity.
"We urgently need a solution so that we can get relief," he told the dpa.
One could also talk about measures such as the reduction in electricity tax demanded by many or a reform of network charges.
"But such points would probably only depress the electricity price insignificantly at the moment," said Lies.
"It is much more important that we get a new electricity price system," said the Lower Saxony minister.
To do this, one must first of all overcome the traditional coupling of gas and electricity prices.
"At the current level, it can no longer be the case that the already high gas prices then cause completely excessive electricity prices." In addition, the control of the grids must become "more intelligent", and the southern federal states must also do more to expand them.
From Bavaria, in turn, comes the demand for an extension of the service life for the remaining German nuclear power plants.
"Due to a delivery time of around twelve months, new fuel rods can be ordered quickly in order to secure the power supply in the winter of 2023/24," said the Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger.
"Germany is heading towards a power and supply gap with its eyes wide open," he told the dpa.
"The federal government is missing too many opportunities to get the current energy crisis under control."
Aiwanger also called for fewer requirements for biogas plants, more photovoltaic power generation and an easier switch for companies in their energy sources away from gas.
mmq/dpa
