Germany on 27 February indicated that it may consider extending the life-spans of coal and even nuclear plants to cut dependence on Russian gas.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz described how Germany could meet rising energy supply and diversify away from Russian gas, which accounts for half of Germany's energy needs. "
The events of the past few days have shown us that responsible, forward-looking energy policy is decisive not only for our economy and the environment. It is also decisive for our security," he told a special Bundestag session called to address the Ukraine crisis. "We must change course to overcome our dependence on imports from individual energy suppliers," he said.
This will include building two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, one in Brunsbuettel and one in Wilhelmshaven, and increasing natural gas reserves. Separately, the German government has asked Uniper to revive plans to build an LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven, Handelsblatt reported on 27 February, after the company scrapped such plans in late 2020. This comes after Germany halted the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea gas pipeline project, after Russia formally recognised the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples’ Republics in eastern Ukraine.
Germany in 2021 began a shift towards solar and wind power and Greens member Oliver Krischer said a draft law to ensure renewables will account for 100% of Germany's power supply by 2035 has been completed. Scholz said Germany will also increase the volume of natural gas in its storage facilities.
Economy Minister Robert Habeck told German broadcaster ARD that Germany is considering whether to extend the life-span of its remaining nuclear power plants which are currently planned to be closed by the end of 2022. "It is part of my ministry's tasks to answer this question ... I would not reject it on ideological grounds," he said.
Three nuclear units are still operating - Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim 2 owned by E.ON, RWE and EnBW, respectively.
