Greenpeace Reaction to the Final German Parliamentary Vote on the phase-out of nuclear energy

Reacting to the overwhelming German Parliamentary vote to phase out all nuclear plants by 2022, including the immediate shutdown of eight nuclear power stations and a gradual wind down of the remaining nine, Greenpeace campaigner Lauri Myllyvirta said:

“Not only is the German Parliament’s decision to get rid of nuclear power the only rational conclusion after the lessons of the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear disasters, it shows Germany’s determination to further boost renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to meet the nation’s energy needs.

“Germany has long been a global powerhouse for the development of safe energy, playing a major role in first commercialising modern wind power and now solar power. As the world’s 4th largest economy, Germany’s vision and leadership is good news for the global climate and for the development and access to safe and clean energy all over the world.

“Germany’s decision sends a clear message to other governments that not only is nuclear technology inherently dangerous, uncontrollable and unsustainable, but that replacing it with fossil fuels is unnecessary when renewable energy and increased efficiency is the smart energy choice of the future. With 370,000 people already employed by Germany’s renewable energy industry, the sector’s economic growth and job security should provide an inspiration for other countries.”

Along with the phase-out decision, chancellor Merkel’s government today presented the government reaffirming its commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent between 1990 and 2020 (23% between 2010 and 2020, which is more ambitious than the EU as a whole). The government aims to double the share of renewable electricity from 17 to 35 percent by 2020. Greenpeace and renewable energy producers have called for a tripling to 50 percent which would allow the government to phase out nuclear energy even faster.