‘The sooner Germany abandons nuclear power, the better’

Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday that the sooner Germany abandoned nuclear power the better, but stressed the energy source was still needed as a stopgap technology for Europe’s biggest economy.

The lesson Germany should learn from the nuclear crisis in Japan is “the earlier the exit, the better. Nuclear technology is a transitory technology”, Ms Merkel told a financial conference in Frankfurt.

Ms Merkel also voiced support for a European Union decision taken last week to submit the 143 nuclear reactors in the bloc to stress tests aimed at ensuring they could resist earthquakes, tsunamis and terrorist attacks. “The debate must take place on a rational basis,” added the German leader, a former environment minister.

In the wake of the Japanese crisis, Ms Merkel’s centre-right coalition has decided on a three-month moratorium on plans approved last year to postpone the closing of nuclear plants by more than a decade, until the mid-2030s.

She also ordered the temporary shutdown of Germany’s seven oldest nuclear reactors while authorities conduct safety probes. At least one was mothballed for good.

Opposition politicians, particularly those from the Green party, slammed the moves as electioneering ahead of a key state election this weekend in Baden-Wuerttemberg, which is home to four nuclear reactors.

Ms Merkel vowed last week that Germany would accelerate the switch to renewable energy, calling for a “measured exit” from nuclear power in light of the Japanese crisis.

“We want to reach the age of renewable energy as soon as possible. That is our goal,” the chancellor told parliament.