Germany Nuclear Shutdown Places Focus on Gas

In a significant policy reversal in reaction to Japan's Fukushima disaster, Germany's ruling coalition decided on Monday to shut down of all 17 of the country’s nuclear power plants by 2022.

The eight oldest nuclear reactors were temporarily closed in March following the events at Fukushima.  These closures will now be permanent.

Six additional plants would be taken offline by 2021, with Germany’s three newest reactors staying open until 2022, hopefully acting a buffer to ensure no disruption to power supply.

Prior to the closure in March, Germany received 23% of its power requirements from nuclear.

The European Union's energy commissioner said that Germany’s decision mean that natural gas will become an even more important energy source for Europe

"We need more gas. After Berlin's decision gas will be a driver of growth," Guenther Oettinger told a conference in Vienna.

Further Reading:

The Telegraph: Germany to shut all nuclear reactors by 2022

The Guardian: Germany nuclear shutdown by 2022 may mean blackouts, Merkel warned

BBC News: Nuclear power in Germany: The reasons behind Chancellor Merkel's U-turn