Germany began utilizing nuclear power in the 1950s with widespread political support. However, safety concerns grew over time following accidents like Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. In the late 1990s and 2000s, the German government agreed to phase out nuclear power due to worries over reactor safety, nuclear waste disposal, and non-proliferation. This plan was accelerated after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, with the last nuclear plants scheduled to close by 2022. Renewable energy sources have been increasing to replace nuclear and fossil fuels in Germany's energy mix.

1. www.oeko.de
Nuclear Power in Germany
A short overview
Dr. Christoph Pistner
23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power in Germany
● 1950-1960 very positive atmosphere about nuclear energy
‒ All political parties supported nuclear energy development
‒ Basically no political opposition
‒ Clear restriction to the peaceful use of nuclear energy
● 1957 first western german nuclear research reactor FRM in Munich
● 1960 first western german nuclear power reactor in Kahl (Main)
● Commercial availability of light water reactor concepts and impact of
oil crisis in the 1970s increased industrial interest in nuclear power
● 70s and 80s highest number of nuclear new built, but at the same
time increased debate about nuclear safety questions
● 1979 TMI accident in the USA
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● 1983 Green Party wins first seats in the federal parliament
● 1986 Tchernobyl accident in Ukraine enhances safety debate
● 1989 last start up of a nuclear power plant in Germany
● 1990s: Social Democrats and Green Party focus on nuclear phase
out, three major arguments
‒ Reactor safety
‒ Final disposal of nuclear waste
‒ Nuclear non-proliferation
● 1998: Coalition of SPD and Green Party win federal elections
● 14.06.2000: Agreement between SPD/Green coalition and electricity
utilities about nuclear phase out is signed
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● Christian Democrats and Liberal Party declare their resistance
Quotes on the nuclear phase out consensus of 14. Juni 2000:
Gerhard Schröder (SPD), Chancelor:
„Mit den soeben geleisteten Unterschriften haben wir uns abschließend
darauf verständigt, die Nutzung der Kernenergie geordnet und
wirtschaftlich vernünftig zu beenden.“
Jürgen Trittin (Die Grünen), Federal Environmental Minister:
„Die Regellaufzeit wird auf 32 Jahre begrenzt. Im Jahre 2020 wird aller
Voraussicht nach das letzte AKW hier vom Netz gehen.“
Klaus Lippold (CDU), Energy- and Nuclear Expert of the Opposition:
„Herr Trittin, Sie freuen sich zu früh, wir werden das, was Sie als
Kernenergieausstieg bezeichnen, wieder rückgängig machen.“
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
22.04.2002: Change of §1 of the Atomic Law
● Before: promotion of research, development and use of nuclear
energy
● Now: phase out of commercial use of nuclear power
● Lifetimes are restricted by electricity production limits (corresponding
to about 32 years of operation), no fixed date
● Prohibition of new nuclear built
● Prohibition of reprocessing of spent fuel
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Estimate of reactor lifetimes according to Atomic Law
of 2002
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Restructuring of energy production system
● 95% reduction in greenhous gas
emmission in highly industrialised
countries?
● What implications?
‒ Timeline
‒ Innovation strategies
‒ Restrictions
‒ Costs
● Climate policy
‒ Longterm strategies (bis 2050)
‒ political options (bis 2030)
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Restructuring of energy production system
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● 2009 new coalition of CDU/FDP
Change of the Atomic Law in 2010:
● Lifetimes are prolonged by about 12 years on average, expressed in
additional electricity production capacities
But no change with respect to:
● §1 still requests phase out of commercial use of nuclear power
● Prohibition of new nuclear built
● Prohibition of reprocessing of spent fuel
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Estimate of reactor lifetimes according to Atomic Law
of 2010
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power in Germany März 2011
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015 Source: IRRS 2011

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● 11.03.2011: Fukushima accident happens
● 15.03.2011: 3 month moratorium for seven oldest plants
● Change of the Atomic Law with broad consensus of all political
parties
‒ Electricity production limits reduced
‒ Fixed shutdown dates for all plants, latest date 2022
‒ 8 oldest plants remain shut-down
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Shutdown dates according to Atomic Law
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015 Source: IRRS 2011

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What Electricity Mix today?
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015
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Übrige Energieträger
Mineralölprodukte
Erneuerbare
Erdgas
Steinkohle
Braunkohle
Kernenergie
Stromimportsaldo
Brutto-
Inlandsstromverbrau
ch

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Imports and Exports?
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015
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