Explainer: Could Germany keep its nuclear plants running?

German utilities have said they may operate the country’s three remaining nuclear reactors beyond their scheduled year-end closure date, but it is up to Berlin to get the ball rolling.

Power grid operators are currently stressing testing the transmission system to assess the risks of an escalation in the Russian gas supply crisis as winter approaches, with the results expected shortly.

The outcome could prompt the government to extend the life of the reactors as it attempts to power the economy and ward off a recession seen as increasingly likely if faltering Russian gas exports stop entirely.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel initiated legislation to halt the use of nuclear power after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 with a majority of voters in favour, but attitudes are shifting amid fears of fuel shortages.

A reversal or postponement of the exit plan would mean utilities E.ON, RWE and EnBW having to re-arrange decommissioning schedules and staffing provisions, while legal, safety and liability issues would have to be worked out with Berlin.

Here are answers to a few urgent questions:

WHY THE NEED?

Russia has cut gas flows through the major Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany to just 20% of capacity. Moscow says Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine are hindering equipment repairs, while Europe says this is a pretext to reduce flows and use gas as a political weapon, an argument Russia rejects.

Germany, Russia’s single biggest gas buyer, cut its use of the fuel by 15% from January-June. Although it is exploring other sources of supplies, it remains dependent on Russia.

Energy regulator the Bundesnetzagentur says tight supply means there will be problems keeping consumers warm and industry functioning while surging gas prices increase the risk of recession. read more

Gas-fired plants account for 15% of power generation, some of which could be replaced by nuclear as well as increased use of imported and domestic coal. Using less gas to heat Germany’s 41 million households would free up more for the industry.

E.ON, RWE and EnBW operate 4,300 megawatts of nuclear power capacity via their respective Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim 2 reactors.

Along with three other reactors which closed at the end of last year, nuclear recently generated 12% of Germany’s electricity.

Germany also has solar and wind options and is developing liquefied natural gas terminals.

WHAT DO THE OPERATORS SAY?

E.ON’s Chief Executive Leonhard Birnbaum says it can extend the lifespan of Isar 2 by a few months into 2023 without having to procure fresh fuel rods.

RWE CEO Markus Krebber also says the plants could theoretically run in the first weeks of next year but beyond that would require new fuel elements, or even the revitalisation of capacity shut in 2021 – decisions the government would need to make.

EnBW’s CFO takes a similar line.

WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND GERMAN NUCLEAR?

The Green Party, now part of the coalition government, traces its origins to the environmentalist movement of the 1970s, which cited security risks and the unresolved question of nuclear waste. It would have to make a U-turn.

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Restating the usefulness of nuclear power would vindicate critics of Merkel’s move and populist voices.