Former German Official Acknowledges Economic Rationality of Nuclear Extension

Former German State Secretary Patrick Graichen has stated that extending the operation of the country's nuclear power plants in 2023 would have made economic sense by providing additional electricity at low marginal costs. Speaking at an energy policy conference organized by the R21 think tank in Berlin, the former senior official in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs nevertheless defended the final phase-out decision on safety grounds.

Graichen played a key role under Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck during the closure of Germany's remaining nuclear reactors in 2023 amid the European energy crisis. Asked by panel moderator Christian Geinitz whether the shutdown was an error, Graichen declined to label it as one, contending that the potential risks of a severe nuclear accident remain too high to justify including the technology in the national energy mix.

During the panel discussion, technology historian Anna Veronika Wendland called for reactivating deactivated plants and constructing new nuclear facilities. She argued that a commitment to nuclear power during the 2022 energy crisis could have maintained broader public backing for climate protection policies.

In response to questions regarding the political process, Graichen attributed the outcome in part to political dynamics, stating that reversing the phase-out would have required a cross-party agreement with the opposition CDU/CSU. According to Graichen, a compromise combining high renewable energy targets with extended nuclear power plant operations was never formally negotiated between the parties.

Graichen, who currently holds a seat on the supervisory board of the Ukrainian electricity grid operator Ukrenergo, cited security risks regarding nuclear infrastructure during the war in Ukraine as further support for his position. The source does not include a response from Moscow regarding Graichen's remarks on energy infrastructure safety. Prior to his tenure as state secretary, Graichen served as director of the think tank Agora Energiewende and began his career in the Environment Ministry under former Minister Jürgen Trittin.

Written by Andreas Hofer andreas.hofer@alpineweekly.com