Nuclear power in Germany: history and prospects

Germany is a central European country that has long been a major player in nuclear power. However, following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, the German government decided to phase out all its nuclear power plants by 2022. In 2020, the breakdown of the various sources of electricity generation in Germany was as follows: 27.3% renewables, 24.7% lignite, 12.6% hard coal, 12.1% natural gas and 11.4% nuclear power [1].

Germany has long been a major player in nuclear energy, but the decision to close all its nuclear power plants by 2022 marks a significant turning point in the country’s energy policy. The emphasis is now on developing renewable energies to replace nuclear and fossil-fuel-based power generation. Nevertheless, Germany remains actively involved in the research and development of innovative nuclear technologies, such as nuclear fusion and advanced modular reactors, which could play a role in the global energy transition.

I. History of nuclear power generation in Germany

Nuclear power generation in Germany began in the 1960s with the commissioning of the first nuclear reactor at Kahl in 1961 [2]. Over the years, the country has built numerous nuclear power plants, which accounted for up to 30% of total electricity production in the 1990s [3].

However, German energy policy began to change in the early 2000s. In 2000, the German government passed a law providing for the gradual closure of the country’s nuclear power plants [4]. Following the Fukushima accident in 2011, this decision was accelerated, and the closure of all German nuclear power plants was set for 2022 [5].

Nuclear reactor technologies used in Germany

German nuclear power plants mainly use pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs) [6]. PWRs operate by keeping the water that cools the reactor under high pressure, thus preventing the water from turning to steam. BWRs, on the other hand, allow water to turn to steam inside the reactor itself. Both types of reactor have similar safety characteristics and efficiencies, but BWRs are generally considered simpler to build and operate.

Innovative power plant and reactor projects

With the planned closure of all nuclear power plants in Germany by 2022, there are currently no new nuclear power plant projects in development. Nevertheless, Germany remains a major player in nuclear technology research and development. The country is involved in a number of international projects, including the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project to develop nuclear fusion

or) project, which aims to develop nuclear fusion as a clean, sustainable energy source [7]. Nuclear fusion, unlike nuclear fission currently used in nuclear power plants, offers considerable potential in terms of energy production without the risks associated with long-term radioactive waste and nuclear accidents.

Germany is also involved in research into Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), which are small-scale nuclear reactors offering advantages in terms of flexibility, lower construction costs and the ability to be deployed in less accessible areas [8]. Although there are no plans to build SMRs in Germany, the country’s involvement in the research and development of this technology could have an impact on how nuclear power is perceived and used in the future.

At the same time, Germany is focusing on the development of renewable energies, such as wind and solar, in order to gradually replace fossil-fuel and nuclear power generation [9]. The German government’s goal is to achieve 80% of electricity production from renewable energies by 2050 [10].

Nuclear reactors in Germany

Countries producing nuclear power

Sources:

• [1] https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/indicator-energy-mix
• [2] h ttps:// www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/germany.aspx
• [3] [4] [5] [6] Ibid.
• [7] h ttps:// www.iter.org/
• [8] h ttps:// www.iaea.org/topics/small-modular-reactors
• [9] h ttps:// www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-energy-consumption-and-power-mix-charts
• [10] https://www.bmu.de/en/topics/climate-energy/renewable-energies/