By Christoph Steitz and Markus Wacket

FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz & economy minister Robert Habeck mapped potential changes to the country’s energy system on Sunday. They even floated the possibility of keeping nuclear power stations running longer.

WHY NOT?

Germany is heavily dependent on Russian gas, but Moscow’s invasion in Ukraine caused an upheaval within Berlin.

Globally, more than half of Germany’s energy mix is made up of gas. Russia accounts for 38%, with Norway coming in second at 35%.

Other options are being considered, including increased solar and wind power, more liquefied LNG terminals, and gas-, and coal-fired energy plants, as well possible a return back to nuclear power.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO GERMANY’S NUCLEAR PLANTS?

Germany decided in 2011 to stop nuclear-fired power stations after Japan’s Fukushima accident. They still provided 12% of Germany’s electricity generation.

Three of 17 German nuclear power plants were in operation at the time: Emsland, Neckarwestheim 2 and Isar 2. They are now operated by German energy giants E.ON, RWE, EnBW.

Current plans call for the closing of the 4,200 gigawatt (GW) combined plants by 2022.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KEEP YOUR PLANTS RUNNING?

The opposition of the Greens ranks and file is a problem, but the political situation is not difficult.

Current legislation will see that the rights to operate the stations beyond December 31, 2022 (the effective date for them) are lost by the remaining operators.

The Economy Ministry could give Germany’s network regulator permission to operate for longer if they decide they are crucial to Germany’s supply security.

Dirk Uwer from law firm Hengeler Mueller, said, “Yes, you could extend the life-span nuclear-fired-power plants…if there’s the willingness and the operators are onboard.”

It would take a lot of work to achieve this and parliament will need to modify existing laws. This includes a 2017 agreement where utilities transferred their decommissioning funding to a trust.

Marc Ruttloff of law firm Gleiss Lutz said that there are no more prohibitions against thinking. He has advised E.ON regarding various issues related to its nuclear energy policy.

The hurdles make it unlikely that an extension will be granted. Germany’s minister to nuclear safety, Habeck being a Greens member, stated Monday that such a move would not only be irresponsible but also unsafe.

What are the OPERATORS SAYING about IT?

They don’t feel euphoric.

PreussenElektra spokesperson said, “For many years, we have been doing absolutely nothing except preparing technically and organisationally to decommission our plants.”

A spokesperson said that neither the group has sufficient nuclear fuel or staff to maintain plants.

RWE stated that its Emsland facility was to close at 2022. By then, its fuel would have run out. RWE also said there were technical hurdles and issues to overcome in order to prolong the plant’s life span.

EnBW is, however, less opposed.

EnBW said via e-mail that “if it is necessary for supply security, EnBW will examine the measures in an open-minded fashion and provide advice to Germany’s government.”