DAccording to the Federal Ministry of Economics, the coalition dispute over nuclear power could lead to a problem for the continued operation of the Bavarian Isar 2 reactor in the coming year. There was a “clear understanding with the coalition partners” to get the draft law on the operational reserve of two nuclear power plants through the cabinet on Monday, “despite different perspectives”, the ministry said on request. “Due to political disagreements, however, this agreement was withdrawn.” The tight schedule for the procedure could not be kept, about which the operators were informed on Monday. The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reported about it first.
“This delay is a problem if you want Isar 2 to still produce electricity in 2023,” said the ministry of Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens). “The repairs to the nuclear power plant must be carried out promptly, the nuclear power plant operators need clarity.” The Ministry of Economic Affairs continues to work for solutions, “otherwise you will be there without Isar 2 because of delays”.
Because of the energy crisis, Habeck wants to keep two nuclear power plants operational until spring in the event of power supply bottlenecks. The FDP, on the other hand, is pushing for all three remaining German nuclear power plants to continue operating until 2024 – party leader and finance minister Christian Lindner reaffirmed this on Monday. In the course of the nuclear phase-out, it was actually intended that the last German nuclear power plants would be taken off the grid at the end of the year.
Contrary to Habeck’s plans, the Federal Cabinet had already not dealt with a draft of its department on the possible continued operation of the two southern German nuclear power plants last Wednesday. This provides for the Atomic Energy Act and the Energy Industry Act to be supplemented with regulations that create the framework conditions for a “operational reserve” of the nuclear power plants Isar 2 in Bavaria and Neckarwestheim 2 in Baden-Württemberg, limited in time until April 15, 2023.
