"Nuclear power, she said, is a 'reliable, affordable source of low-emission electricity.' She announced new EU financial assistance for nuclear power plants. Von der Leyen's words reverberated in Germany, which switched off its last nuclear reactor in 2023."
"From 1961 onward, a total of 37 reactors within Germany supplied up to 30% of the nation's electricity. The country began phasing out nuclear power 15 years ago, following the disaster in Fukushima, Japan, on March 11, 2011. The last German nuclear power plant was taken offline in 2023."
"There has been a recurring debate in Germany about whether a return to nuclear power would be sensible, given the fluctuation in the production of renewables like solar and wind energy and especially given the scarcity of oil and gas imports during international crises."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared the transition away from nuclear energy a strategic mistake, emphasizing nuclear power as reliable and affordable low-emission electricity. She announced new EU financial support for nuclear plants. Germany, which decommissioned its last reactor in 2023, remains skeptical of nuclear energy despite von der Leyen's advocacy. Germany previously operated 37 reactors supplying up to 30% of electricity before phasing out nuclear power following Japan's 2011 Fukushima disaster. Spain and Austria similarly shut down nuclear operations. Ongoing German debate centers on whether nuclear power should return given renewable energy fluctuations and energy security concerns during international crises.
Read at www.dw.com
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