Germany to accelerate closure of all nuclear power stations

Germany to accelerate closure of all nuclear power stations

2011-04-15 23:24:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

BERLIN, GERMANY (BNO NEWS) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday said that his government will accelerate the planned closures of all nuclear power stations.

According to the DPA news agency, Merkel confirmed that the German nuclear power plants will be shut down but a time table has not been set yet. Germany currently has 17 nuclear reactors.

"The overall direction has been agreed and I am glad about that," said Chancellor Merkel. "We all want to get out of nuclear power as soon as possible."

The decision to close the nuclear stations was made following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. In March, Merkel announced a three-month moratorium that put on hold the plans of extending the lifespan of the German nuclear reactors in order to conduct safety inspections at the nuclear facilities.

In 2010, Merkel announced an agreement to extend the lifespan of its 17 nuclear plants reached by her coalition of Christian Democrats and Free Democrats. Following the Japanese nuclear crisis, opposition groups and civilians called for reversing the decision.

The German chancellor later said that seven plants constructed before 1980 would be shut down for the duration of the moratorium. The remaining 10 active plants will be subject to thorough safety inspections.

However, extending the lifespan of the nuclear stations was later scrapped and Germany is now planning the construction of wind turbines and high-voltage transmission lines to replace the nuclear power.

Opposition parties demanded to close all nuclear reactors by 2022 or earlier. The 2010 decision allowed the nuclear industry a time extension until about 2036, but Merkel revoked this agreement.

Chancellor Merkel added that the German Parliament will announce a new closure timetable on June 3 as it is an important and urgent matter.

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