EU Shifts Back to Nuclear Energy, Expert Criticizes Move The European Union is reversing its previous stance on nuclear energy, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen labeling the earlier abandonment of atomic power as a "strategic error." This shift comes amid growing concerns over energy security, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, Volker Quaschning, a professor of regenerative energy systems at HTW Berlin, argues that Germany’s exit from nuclear energy is both logical and necessary. He describes the technology as "very expensive and risky," dismissing the idea of a nuclear energy revival in the country. Quaschning points out that Germany’s six operational nuclear reactors contributed only three percent to the nation’s total energy supply. He emphasizes that this minimal share would offer little relief during the current oil and gas crisis. To make a significant impact, he estimates that Germany would need to build between 50 and 100 new reactors. Such a plan, he argues, is unrealistic, noting that politicians would struggle to gain public support for such a massive infrastructure project. The expert also questions the feasibility of the EU’s push for small modular reactors, which are intended to be cheaper and more scalable. Quaschning highlights that nuclear energy remains three times more costly than solar and wind power, casting doubt on whether mini-reactors could offer meaningful economic advantages. He further criticizes the idea of relying on nuclear plants to provide continuous power, suggesting that this approach would require curtailing solar energy production during the day. Instead, Quaschning advocates for advancing energy storage solutions to manage surplus solar power generated during daylight hours.#middle_east #ursula_von_der_leyen #european_union #volker_quaschning #htw_berlin
