Status: 17/05/2016 17:33
Coming week to meet EU energy experts to discuss to discuss common European research priorities. Prior to a strategy paper of the European Commission has been leaked. This also includes proposals, continue to promote nuclear power. Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks and Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel (both SPD) think this is an irresponsible idea. The EU Commission has now backtracked and made it clear it only were a “basis for discussion”. The content explosiveness still remains.
A comment by Jürgen Döschner, ARD-energy expert
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ARD-energy expert Jürgen Döschner calls for more EU funding for renewable energy instead of nuclear power.
30 years after Chernobyl, five years after Fukushima, given the many ailing nuclear power plants in the heart of Europe as Doel, Tihange, Fessenheim, Cattenom, Beznau or Temelin; in view of a technically and financially unsolved gigantic disposal problem, considering huge nuclear sites as Olkiluoto in Finland and Flamanville in France, which for years has cost billions and foreseeable supply no electricity; considering almost bankrupt nuclear companies like Areva, EdF, RWE, EON and others – in the face of all these facts: How unrealistic can be also wanting just stuck another penny in the development of new nuclear reactors
Nuclear power is art? yesterday
The European Commission apparently all connections to energy policy reality has capped. When they have lived the past 60 years on the moon, presenting the commissioners a so-called strategy paper which relies on the principles of the EURATOM Treaty. In this agreement, the signatory states have committed themselves “to create the conditions for the development of a powerful nuclear industry”. These are among other investment facilitates and research at the nuclear power be encouraged
But this EURATOM HIDE dates back to 1957 -. And today it is the year 2016! The “powerful nuclear industry” has become a shadow of itself, nuclear power obsolete technologically and economically. Even if their subsidies – as in the case of the British nuclear power station Hinkley Point – after throwing: The companies are not even then willing or able to bear the financial residual risk
A strategy paper without consequences
the German government behaves almost schizophrenic in the nuclear question. For their own country they decide to exit, but at international level promotes it – at least in words – by the membership of the EURATOM Treaty their further development. Yet for all legitimate excitement: The nuclear strategy paper is perhaps a measure of the state of the EU Commission. However, no practical impact on the energy policy should hardly have. Because no matter how much political and real capital that the EU may be stuck in an awaited by some visionaries renaissance of nuclear power: In 2016, there is hardly a company that could make happy with these aids. Investors stay away from new nuclear power plants, alternative energy have long been not only safer but also cheaper.
Time for clear sign
The technical and economic reality has the chapter nuclear power long outdated. It is high time that the EU and its governments – especially German – finally set an example that this also applies to the political reality. Approximately by the abrogation of antiquated EURATOM Treaty and the support of a European funding program for renewable energy.
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