In a letter published Monday to the cabinet of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64), he points to an unusual step in his policy competence. This was preceded by a long coalition dispute.
Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck (53, Greens) wants to accept the move despite protests in his party. FDP politicians welcomed him.
Until mid-April 2023
“The legal basis will be created to enable the electricity production of the nuclear power plants Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2 and Emsland after December 31, 2022 until April 15, 2023 at the latest,” Scholz’s letter said. Appropriate draft legislation should be submitted in a timely manner.
Habeck had proposed in September to transfer only the southern German nuclear power plants Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2 to an operational reserve and thus allow operation until mid-April if necessary. However, no cabinet decision has been taken.
Law to increase energy efficiency
FDP leader Christian Lindner (43) demanded that all three nuclear plants remain in operation until at least 2024. A Green Party conference supported Habeck’s position over the weekend. A conversation between Scholz, Habeck and Lindner on Sunday brought no further agreement.
According to Scholz’s letter, the government is now also coming up with “an ambitious law to increase energy efficiency.” In addition, the agreement between the federal government, North Rhine-Westphalia and the energy company RWE on bringing forward the phase-out of coal in the federal state to 2030 must be legally established.
(SDA)