A German Energy Compromise

In recent years, Germany has been transitioning its energy sector away from fossil fuels and nuclear energy towards renewable energy sources—a process known as the Energiewende.

I would argue that the plan to revert back to phasing out nuclear energy by 2036 is one that offers a compromise between the complete phase-out and cancellation of any phase-out. Additionally, the 2036 plan would afford Germany more time to transition to renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency, while still reducing the country’s dependence on nuclear power. Short-term investments in renewable energy can be costly, but also leads to long-term benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy security, and domestic energy independence.

The first advantage to the 2036 plan is it allows for a smoother transition to renewable energy sources. Completely phasing out nuclear energy in the near future will result in a shortfall of energy supply, which may need to be compensated for by other sources such as coal-fired power plants. This unintended consequence is counterproductive to Germany’s ultimate goal of reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency. By extending the deadline to 2036, Germany would have more time to research, develop, and implement alternative energy sources such as wind and solar which are renewable, low-carbon, and ultimately sustainable.

The second advantage of reverting to the previous plan is that it provides Germany more flexibility to address the issue of energy security. Completely phasing out nuclear energy would make Germany more dependent on foreign energy sources which could put the country at risk if there are political issues abroad leading to supply chain disruptions. Extending the timeline offers more flexibility in sustainable energy independence.

My assigned parliamentary party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), would cancel the whole phase-out plan and re-think nuclear as a part of the Energiewende for a couple of reasons. First, the party believes that nuclear energy is a safe, reliable, and cost-effective source of energy. To this end, the party criticizes the country’s goal to phase it out, contending that this plan will raise energy costs and bind Germany to foreign energy sources. Additionally, the AfD supports constructing more nuclear power plants in Germany and extending the lifespan of existing plants—while opposing expensive investments in wind and solar power.