Skip to content

Renewable Energy

German nuclear power shutdown could be bolder - Greenpeace

by Martin Leggett 31 May 2011
German nuclear power shutdown could be bolder - Greenpeace

ith Germany's plan, announced yesterday, to throw-away its nuclear-power crutch by 2022, the country becomes the first industrialized nation to signal, that, a nuclear solution to a low-carbon world is no solution at all. But however dramatic the lead being given, in the post-Fukushima world, Greenpeace today laid out an even quicker road-map to a nuclear-free Germany - a shortcut that could see nuclear power plants gone by 2015.

Chancellor Merkel has been under pressure on the nuclear issue, ever since the Fukushima disaster reinforced the strong anti-nuclear sentiment in the country. But many also see the ebbing political support for her CDU party as the catalyst for yesterday's announcement. Her party may need Germany's strong Green party as a partner, if it is to stay in power in 2 years time. The shutdown plan will see 8 of the oldest nuclear plants taken off-line immediately - with another 6 to follow by 2021.

But Greenpeace has already done a comprehensive study, into the potential for re-balancing the German power mix over the next decade. And in reassessing that report, it reckons a nuclear shutdown can be done in as few as 4 years, without hitting limits to power supply - whilst still putting Germany onto a path to a dramatically lower emissions target.

The key lies with fully using the already generous supply-overhang in the German power system - and a stronger emphasis on solar, wind and efficiency gains. Germany has a comprehensive plan already in-place to boost its natural gas power generation capacity - by 8 GW by 2015.

Factor in the five offshore wind farms, coming online over the next 5 years, plus an increased investment in solar power (of which Germany is a leading player) and the 29 GW of added supply is more than enough to compensate for the 11 GW lost, from closing down nuclear power.

In fact Greenpeace suggests that it may be possible to accelerate the closure program of older coal-fires power stations too - so that any rise in overall carbon emissions is held to a blip. By ensuring that only gas-fired plants replace coal power stations, and investing in the latest combined heat and power generation technology, their report forecasts a 40%-plus reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, when compared to 1990.

The announcement by Greenpeace stresses the need to advance the nuclear close-down, as an important gauntlet thrown down to the rest of the industrialized world. In a press release they say that "by hanging on to fossil and nuclear addictions, we are not only gambling with the planet's future, we're wasting time and money. A world powered by renewable energy is within our grasp - and Germany has shown that a combination of popular support and political courage can make this happen."


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping