The imminent closure of Germany's last three nuclear reactors on Saturday could lead to energy shortages and higher prices, according to the President of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) Peter Adrian.
In an editorial in the German newspaper Rheinische Post, Adrian argued that these power plants should continue to “operate until the end of the energy crisis," going against the country's planned transition away from atomic power.
Germany’s nuclear power plants were all supposed to be decommissioned by the end of 2022, in line with the policy adopted by former Chancellor Angela Merkel following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
However, the German Government decided to extend the lifespan of their last three reactors until 15 April in order to protect itself from energy instability from the fallout from the war in Ukraine. Indeed, the reduced supplies of Russian gas had put Germany in a bind to secure supplies during the colder months.
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While natural gas prices have fallen in recent months, Adrian warns that Germany is “not yet out of the woods.” He explained that "energy costs remain high for most companies” and that the utmost must be done "to expand energy supply and not restrict it further."
“This is the only way to avoid, or at least mitigate, supply bottlenecks and a further massive increase in energy prices in the coming months,” Adrian argued.
