The German government has embarked on a charm offensive, seeking to defend its decision to extend the lifespan of the country's nuclear power plants by an average of 12 years. "I think it's fair to say that our energy supply scheme will become the world's most efficient and environmentally friendly," Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Berlin, referring to her center-right coalition's overall plan to support the introduction of renewable energies by using more old-fashioned, established sources of power in the meantime. "The agreement will maintain affordable energy prices both for private consumers and businesses. Our aim is to further promote renewables, and we see nuclear and coal-fired power plants as an indispensible bridge towards this goal." By 2050, Merkel said, 80 percent of Germany's electricity should be harvested from renewable sources.
The German government has embarked on a charm offensive, seeking to defend its decision to extend the lifespan of the country's nuclear power plants by an average of 12 years.
"I think it's fair to say that our energy supply scheme will become the world's most efficient and environmentally friendly," Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Berlin, referring to her center-right coalition's overall plan to support the introduction of renewable energies by using more old-fashioned, established sources of power in the meantime.
"The agreement will maintain affordable energy prices both for private consumers and businesses. Our aim is to further promote renewables, and we see nuclear and coal-fired power plants as an indispensible bridge towards this goal."
By 2050, Merkel said, 80 percent of Germany's electricity should be harvested from renewable sources.
AFP - Germany said it would extend the life of its nuclear reactors by 12 years on average Monday after marathon talks on the controversial issue that will shape the energy policy of Europe's top economy. The decision came after 12 hours of talks between senior politicians and means that some of the 17 plants will now be operational until the 2030s. The lives of older plants will be extended by eight years and those of newer ones by 14 years, Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen said. He said nuclear utilities would have to pay part of their extra profits boosted from the extension to develop renewable energy.
AFP - Germany said it would extend the life of its nuclear reactors by 12 years on average Monday after marathon talks on the controversial issue that will shape the energy policy of Europe's top economy.
The decision came after 12 hours of talks between senior politicians and means that some of the 17 plants will now be operational until the 2030s.
The lives of older plants will be extended by eight years and those of newer ones by 14 years, Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen said.
He said nuclear utilities would have to pay part of their extra profits boosted from the extension to develop renewable energy.
