Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power is expected to lead to a drop in electricity prices, according to a leading politician. The country’s three remaining nuclear power plants will be shut down for good on Saturday. Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt of the Green Party said that the price of electricity would fall as more renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, are used. She added that nuclear power is expensive to produce and maintain. A recent study by the Technical University of Berlin and the German Institute for Economic Research found that investing in renewable energy sources is more economically viable than continuing to operate or build nuclear power plants.
Göring-Eckardt also highlighted the issue of nuclear waste disposal, which remains unresolved. The waste is currently stored in interim facilities across the country, incurring high costs that will be borne by current and future taxpayers. Despite concerns about the impact of the nuclear phase-out on energy security, Göring-Eckardt said that nuclear power plants have played a minor role in electricity production in recent years. She added that gas is a better alternative for balancing supply and demand during peak periods.
The decision to phase out nuclear power has been controversial within Germany’s coalition government. The Free Democratic Party has called for an extension of the lifespan of nuclear power plants, while the Christian Democratic Union has criticized the move, with some members arguing that it will harm the environment. However, Göring-Eckardt emphasized that the country’s energy supply will remain secure despite the nuclear phase-out.
In conclusion, Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power is expected to lead to a drop in electricity prices, with renewable energy sources becoming more economically viable than nuclear power. However, the issue of nuclear waste disposal remains unresolved, and there are concerns about the impact of the phase-out on energy security. Despite these concerns, the country’s energy supply is expected to remain secure.
