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Scholz postpones the closure of the three remaining operating nuclear power plants in the country

Scholz postpones the closure of the three remaining operating nuclear power plants in the country

BERLIN, Oct. 18 (DPA/EP) –

While the three parties that make up the German government coalition discuss the dismantling of nuclear energy in the country, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided that the three remaining nuclear power plants in the country can continue to operate until April 15, 2023 at most.

Germany has had to restructure its energy mix due to the cut in Russian gas supply as a result of the war in Ukraine, which has resulted in a large rise in prices, raising fears of heating and power shortages this winter, according to reports. the DPA agency.

To do this, one of the solutions being considered is the temporary use of the Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2 and Emsland nuclear power plants, which were to be eliminated in accordance with a long-term government plan on December 31, 2022.

Scholz’s decision came after talks held over the weekend between coalition members, which finally ended without a clear agreement. After that, the federal press office in Berlin published a letter from the chancellor to his cabinet ministers ordering them to submit legislative proposals so that nuclear power plants can continue to operate beyond the end of the year, until April 15, 2023 at the latest.

Liberals in the Free Democrats have welcomed the decision, while the Greens have initially reacted cautiously. Meanwhile, the German Social Democratic Party has called for reaching an agreement to sign an “ambitious law” to increase the country’s energy efficiency, according to the aforementioned agency.

The German government also wants to create the conditions for the construction of new “hydrogen-capable gas plants”, ie plants that can subsequently be operated with climate-friendly hydrogen.

Scholz’s decision opens the way to get out of the impasse in the use of nuclear energy or its maintenance in reserve in the midst of the current energy crisis.

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