The resolution to phase-out nuclear power in Germany after the nuclear disaster of Fukushima had its fifth anniversary on 15th of March 2015. Since then the German energy sector has been changing drastically. The nuclear phase-out was only one of the important changes.
The meltdown of the Japanese reactor Fukushima Daiichi on 11th of March 2011 following a tsunami, triggered a U-turn of the German federal cabinet around chancellor Angela Merkel and the respective ministers for the environment. The operational lifetime for nuclear power plants has been re-adjusted.
Only three days after the nuclear disaster a “nuclear-moratorium” with a duration of three months has been enacted. It decreed the immediate shutdown of eigth German nuclear power plants. Even though nuclear power plants still generate electricity, the last German nuclear power plants will be phased out until 31st of December 2022.
The conjured bottlenecks for power supply and the increase of power prices have however not occurred. Still, the decision for a nuclear phase-out along with several other reasons effectuated considerable changes in the Germany’s energy sector. The following provides the four most important consequences and changes:
1. Constant increase of renewable electricity in the market
While electricity from renewable energy in the final electricity consumption stood at 12 % in 2011, the share rose to over 30 % by the end of the year 2015.
2. Electricity at the power exchange is at the lowest level since years
Wholesale prices for electricity have been plummeting and the year 2015 marks the lowest point in eleven years. Ever more feed-in of renewable energy and the decline of commodity prices are mainly responsible for this.
3. The big energy companies stumble and need to restructure themselves
The biggest German energy companies had to deal with considerable losses in the past years. Furthermore, RWE as well as Eon started a radical corporate restructuring phase. Especially abovementioned companies incur lower profits, as wholesale prices for electricity have been falling. The separation of conventional generation from future business sectors such as renewable energies, grids and sales will keep the energy sector busy in the coming years.
4. Public discussion of lignite phase-out
The phase-out of lignite mining and electricity generation from CO2-intensive lignite is publicly discussed. In the wake of the COP 21 and the Paris agreement the reduction of greenhouse gases in the energy sector also drives the discussion of a lignite phase-out in Germany.
Thus, the earthquake in the pacific continues to have an effect on the European energy sector.
