Atomic Energy

The German Atomic Forum, an association of companies, research facilities and institutions involved in the nuclear energy industry, has welcomed the British government's decision to back a new generation of nuclear power plants, calling it indicative of a trend that Germany would do well to follow.

"The fact is that, when it comes to nuclear energy, Germany is becoming ever more isolated," a spokesperson from the Atomic Forum told the Berliner Zeitung.

Other countries have already recognized that protecting the climate while meeting energy needs is only possible through nuclear energy, the spokesperson said, but added that the association doesn't see Germany's nuclear phase-out being reversed before the 2009 parliamentary elections.

Under the former coalition government of Social Democrats and Greens, Germany committed to a total phase-out of nuclear power by the year 2020. Current Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, has repeatedly said that she believes nuclear power has a place in the country's future "energy mix," especially since Germany is striving to reduce its output of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.

Germany is home to a strong anti-nuclear movement that has lobbied for the phase-out, saying the technology isn't safe, and that there's still no satisfactory way of dealing with the storage of nuclear waste.

"All the nuclear power plants in Great Britain created 82 billion kilowatt hours of power in 2005 -- just a little bit more than renewable sources in Germany in 2006," said Greenpeace nuclear power expert Heinz Smital. "Instead of starting a nuclear adventure, Great Britain should also look to renewable energy. There's more than enough win on the island."

But the Atomic Forum feels opposition to nuclear power is waning.

"There's a shift in opinion among the population," the association spokesperson said. "A year ago, the majority rejected the idea of abandoning the phase-out, but this is no longer the case."

Opportunity for German firms

On Thursday, Jan. 10, the British government approved a new generation of nuclear power stations to be built by private companies without public subsidy, saying they would help Britain meet its climate change goals and avoid overdependence on foreign oil and gas.

"We want Britain to be more secure in its energy supply," British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said. "We are inviting companies to express an interest in building a new generation of power stations to replace the existing ones."

Germany's RWE and E.ON have already said they are keen to get involved, though what form their participation would take, and whether they would be acting alone or with partners, is still open.

Following Germany's commitment to phasing out atomic energy, both companies began setting their sights at business opportunities abroad.

"We're talking with all the parties involved," said an RWE spokeswoman. "In addition to projects in the renewables field, gas-fired power plants and modern coal-fired power plants, we have also been looking into building new nuclear power plants."

Nuclear operators in Britain said they anticipate having four new reactors running by 2017.