Von der Leyen Discusses Nuclear Energy Role

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has labeled the phase-out of nuclear power a strategic error. She is currently advocating for a renaissance of nuclear energy across the continent. In Germany, politicians from the CDU and CSU are also calling for the potential reactivation of decommissioned nuclear power plants. All German nuclear power plants have remained shut down for three years. She stated that while nuclear power may not be technically or economically viable for current needs, rising energy prices due to the Iran war highlight the risks of oil and gas import dependency. Nuclear power plants contributed less than 6% to electricity and less than 2% to total energy consumption last year before being decommissioned. The current contribution level is deemed insufficient to stabilize energy costs. Germany continues to import nuclear fuel rods and components from Russia to maintain energy stability during crises. Reliance on Russian nuclear fuel persists despite efforts to transition to domestic renewable energy sources like solar and wind.