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Wind power blow as Germans stay nuclear
14 Oct 2009Renewable energy industries in Germany are set for a double blow as the new government plans to increase the life of nuclear power stations while reducing subsidies for wind and solar farms.
“Experts warn the nuclear power comeback will retard the development of expensive wind power plants for years and cost jobs,” warned news magazine Der Spiegel this week.
Leaked documents of talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative CDU party and her junior partner in power, the FDP, show they intend to overturn a law passed in 2002 by the Social Democrats scrapping nuclear power by 2020.
“Atomic energy will be required as a bridge technology until affordable, climate-friendly energy sources are reliably available in sufficient quantities. The limit on German reactor lifetimes to 32 years is thus rescinded,” reads the paper.
Companies like E.on and RWE are reportedly rowing back in Germany on their committment to wind power as the extension of nuclear power will soon become law.
They stand to make billions in extra profits as a result of extended reactor lifetimes.
Merkel's conservatives and the FDP also want to resume research into the suitability of the Gorleben salt mines as a nuclear waste repository.
Reader views (1)
At least Germany, like France, have realised that all the rubbish talked about windpower and solar power is just that, a load of hot air. How long will it be before this poor excuse for a Government also realise that it is all a load of old codswallop, and instead of spending billions to satisfy a few green sandle wearing hippies and rip off wind farm companies they should be investing in long term reliable energy sources such as modern state of the art nuclear power stations. Somehow I doubt that ensuring Britain is self sufficient in electricity generation comes low down on their priorities, as they wont be in power this time next year. No doubt they will blame future power cuts on the consumer for having the cheek to turn on their heaters to keep warm in the winter, or boiling a kettle for their morning cuppa.
- Pat, Banstead, Surrey, 14/10/2009 11:46
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