Germany stands at a pivotal moment in its energy policy as the nation nears the final phaseout of nuclear power. With the last three reactors scheduled to be disconnected next Saturday, the government confirms that safety and electricity reliability remain intact during this transition.
Officials emphasized a stable energy outlook through the colder months and beyond, stressing that security of supply is maintained. This assessment comes from Robert Habeck, Germany’s economics and climate protection minister, who shares cabinet responsibility with Olaf Scholz in a coalition of social democrats, greens, and liberals. Media outlets from the Funke group reported these statements.
Habeck pointed to sufficient natural gas reserves, newly built LNG terminals in northern regions, and growing renewable energy capacity as evidence that the system is resilient. These elements are intended to cushion any seasonal fluctuations and support a smooth transition away from nuclear power.
In late autumn, Scholz explained that the initially planned schedule for closing the final plants had adjustments. The original target of December 31 was extended to April 15, reflecting the government’s need to balance reliability with the policy timetable.
The change was implemented using executive authority amid ongoing coalition disagreements. The Greens raised concerns about delaying the exit from nuclear energy, while Liberal members argued for extending operation at least into 2024 to safeguard energy security.
Since the pause, Habeck has paused new factory construction, referencing experiences in other European nations such as France, the United Kingdom, and Finland where similar projects faced economic hurdles or delays when pursued aggressively.
The administration has reiterated a strategic goal to accelerate renewable energy deployment with a target that aims for renewables to supply about 80 percent of total energy consumption by 2030, up from 46.2 percent in 2022. This shift reflects a broader plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen long-term energy independence.
The extension decision came amid concerns about winter energy supplies and the aim to reduce reliance on Russia, a dependence that intensified after the invasion of Ukraine. The policy keeps the Isar 2, Neckar 2, and Lingen reactors operating until April 15, maintaining a last-minute buffer for reliability.
For many Greens, postponing the shutdown challenges a core identity tied to ending nuclear power, making the compromise difficult to accept. The debate highlights the balancing act between environmental goals and the practical needs of grid stability during a period of transition.
Ultimately, both Habeck and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke signaled that the extension could be acceptable if it avoids creating new fuel inventories and radioactive waste, emphasizing responsible handling and a clear timeline for phasing out remaining nuclear capacity.
The delay marks a shift away from the 2002 plan negotiated by then Social Democrat Chancellor Gerhard Schröder with industry leaders and Greens, which set a target to close the last plant by 2022. Angela Merkel’s government later revised the timetable, guiding the plan toward a staged exit that culminated in 2022 after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
By late 2022 the three remaining plants supplied only a small share of total electricity, yet they were considered essential for maintaining supply security. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany has stepped up efforts to diversify away from Moscow, including a temporary revival of coal-fired plants to ensure reliable power while advancing a longer-term objective to phase out coal gradually between 2030 and 2038.