Nuclear? Ja, danke.

On April 15th, 2023 at 11:59pm, Germany’s last nuclear plant signed off. A post-nuclear era began.

The public support for nuclear energy in Germany has long been dwindling. Fears of nuclear meltdown and storage safety concerns took the center stage, with many calling for the retirement of such plants.

This phaseout of nuclear energy in Germany is short sighted and will negatively impact both the country’s energy security and the environment.

Nuclear energy is a clean energy source. Unlike the burning of fossil fuels, nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases. In order to fill the demand that nuclear energy previously supplied, peaker fossil fuel plants will have to be used, which will increase the country’s carbon footprint significantly.

Fear of nuclear energy is the largest public image obstacle for its widespread implementation. Its usage as a weapon as well as major incidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima have built its dangerous and threatening reputation. This concerns are exaggerated. Modern nuclear reactors are designed to minimize and store nuclear waste effectively and securely. Meltdowns such as the ones at the Chernobyl and Fukushima plants were due to aging reactor design and poor maintenance. With modern technology, these risks are mitigated significantly.

Finally, as the world shifts toward cleaner energy sources, there will still remain demand for highly predictable, stable sources. Solar and wind power is intermittent. To fill the gaps, we will need highly dependable sources. Making nuclear a component of Germany’s energy generation profile would be a very environmentally friendly way to serve this need.

Somewhat surprisingly, I think the far-right party, the AfD, in Germany would agree with my stance on this. The AfD is not a supporter of energy sources such as wind and solar. They think that prioritizing this development is counterproductive for the economy. They also often argue that wind and solar are inferior sources because they do not provide a constant power source. As a result, the AfD, and many other right wing parties around the world argue that the implementation of nuclear is a better source since it offers more consistent energy.