The industry association of the nuclear industry, Kerntechnik Deutschland, has asked Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in a letter to extend the operating times of German nuclear power plants.

In view of the current "emergency situation", in which Russian energy supplies have to be replaced as quickly as possible, steps must be taken immediately to ensure security of supply, according to the letter, which is exclusively available to the FAZ.

Christian Geinitz

Business correspondent in Berlin

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The managing director of the association, Thomas Behringer, wrote verbatim that there was an "urgent appeal" to Scholz, "in view of the potentially dangerous situation in our country's energy supply, to reconsider the government's current position regarding the use of nuclear energy and to take all steps immediately to prepare for an emergency situation." The government had recently ruled out reactivation, and the latest draft by the traffic light coalition for the "package of measures to deal with high energy losses", which the FAZ also has, states: "We are further excluding nuclear power".

Behringer, on the other hand, argues: "In order to be prepared for a further escalating situation as a result of the war over Ukraine, which can lead to gaps in the power supply this year - in the worst case in the coming winter of 2022/2023 - all available energy sources must be used will."

Is there enough uranium fuel?

As far as the power supply is concerned, to which nuclear energy recently contributed 11 percent, this includes "without a doubt German nuclear power plants, which with their availability around the clock and also in a climate-friendly manner, not only stabilize the power grid in an emergency, but also with their generation can cover a not inconsiderable part of the base load requirement," the letter to Scholz continues.

The association also dispels doubts that there will not be enough uranium fuel in the short term: “Nuclear power plants can then continue to be operated without any problems this summer at least until next spring by means of so-called stretch operation and, if necessary, fuel-saving operation.

If desired, they can contribute to the security of the German and European power supply for years to come by recharging with new fuel elements and at the same time reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.”

The number of power plants is not mentioned, which means that both the three reactors still on the grid are meant, as well as the restarting of those shut down last year.

According to the association, which includes the nuclear power plant operator Preussen-Elektra, the planned construction of terminals for landing liquid gas LNG will take a long time.

The same applies to the expansion of renewable energies, including the necessary networks.

On the other hand, the following applies to the continued use of nuclear technology: "This measure could be decided immediately and implemented at short notice."

Kerntechnik Deutschland considers the test vermark recently presented by the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Federal Ministry for the Environment to be unfounded, according to which the extension of the service life is not possible for safety reasons.

This is a "catalogue of obstacles that, in our opinion, is often technically incorrect and, above all, does not do justice to the current critical situation."

The government's desire to reduce gas consumption and imports in the interests of climate protection "cannot be realized in the short term".

Rather, it is necessary to be flanked by a “secure and reliable energy supply”.

Behringer's letter ends almost imploringly: "Dear Chancellor, please ensure that the fundamental decision is taken now to continue operating nuclear power plants to ensure energy security, so that the necessary measures can be taken in good time." belongs neither to the Society for Reactor Safety nor to the Reactor Safety Commission.