KernD: Up to six nuclear units could restart in Germany

The phase-out of nuclear power generation and its impact on Germany’s energy sector remain frequent topics of debate. According to the German organization KernD, it would theoretically be possible to restart several nuclear units. They could help the country secure its independence from electricity imports. However, the former operators of the German units do not share this optimism.

Germany shut down its last nuclear units nearly two years ago, bringing its nuclear power generation to a temporary end. Discussions about the possible restart of the closed units returned to the spotlight with the recent parliamentary elections. The German organization KernD said this week that up to six closed nuclear units could be restarted. Its members include, according to Reuters, subsidiaries of companies such as Westinghouse and Framatome.

According to Reuters, the winner of Germany’s recent election, the conservative CDU party, previously said that restarting nuclear units could be one way to tackle high electricity prices and reduce the country’s growing dependence on imports. During periods of low electricity generation from renewables, Germany imports large volumes from neighboring countries, many of which also generate electricity from nuclear power.

"The fact is that restarting up to six nuclear power plants is technically possible. But time is pressing. The sooner a decision is made, the less it will cost," KernD said.

According to KernD, nuclear power plants can offer stable electricity supplies that are independent of weather conditions, as well as competitive energy prices for industry. Restarting them would not come free, however: each unit would require investment of between one and three billion euros, depending on the stage of permanent decommissioning it has currently reached.

However, according to Reuters, the operators themselves rule out a possible restart of the German nuclear units.