Stretching operation for three nuclear power plants could save 1.3 million tons of CO₂

The parliamentary question came from Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn (CDU), the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" quoted on Tuesday from the answer received from the opposition: According to this, if all three nuclear power plants were still active, around 1.3 million tons of CO₂ could be released by March be saved.

"Extended operation of the three nuclear power plants Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2 and Emsland that are in operation beyond December 31, 2022 could lead to a drop in coal-fired power generation in Germany of 1.2 terawatt hours in the first three months of 2023," it says it in the report.

The generation of 1.2 terawatt hours of electricity from hard coal produces around 1.4 million tons of CO₂, with nuclear power around 78,000 tons. According to the report, the Federal Ministry of Economics replied that if all three nuclear power plants were still in operation, savings of a good 1.3 million tons of greenhouse gases would be possible.

According to the plans of Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), only two nuclear power plants are to remain on the grid; the nuclear power plant in Lingen in Emsland is to be shut down. Spahn told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung": "Electricity is expensive because it has become scarce. It is therefore a serious mistake that the traffic light government does not leave all three nuclear power plants connected to the grid for another two years.”

Instead, more coal-fired power plants would have to be connected to the grid again in Germany and Europe. The CDU politician demanded: "The Lingen nuclear power plant must also remain connected to the grid, for the sake of the climate and energy security."

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