Nuclear energy can be utilized to generate electricity and heat with almost no emissions. Yet, because of Germany's nuclear phase-out, it is not included in any energy transition scenario. This is absurd: more and more countries around the world are relying on nuclear power as part of their clean energy mix. Even the IPCC stresses the importance of this technology for climate goals - yet there is not a single study for Germany’s transition – the ‘Energiewende’ – that even considers this option.
Help us fill this gap!

Although it is repeatedly claimed that nuclear energy is too expensive, the models used by German think tanks - including the 'long term scenarios' (‘Langfristszenarien’) authorised and funded by the German government - exclude nuclear energy as a policy goal 'a priori': we learn nothing about costs or savings. At the same time, the narrative of supposedly low-cost renewables looks increasingly dubious, as it becomes clearer every day that it is not the direct costs of electricity generation alone that matter, but the system costs.

But which energy supply would really be cheaper for us in the end: '100 per cent renewable' or '100 per cent clean'?

 

Back-of-the-envelope calculation Cheaper with nuclear power

 

For our first hypothesis we did a back-of-the-envelope calculation (ok, it ended up being a 14 page calculation): We estimate the use of nuclear power plants has economic advantages if they cost less than €7,400 per kW in initial investment or less than €12,400 per kW over the lifetime, including retrofitting and nuclear fuel. Historical costs are much less (around €4,000 per kW initial investment): Nuclear power therefore appears to offer significant cost reductions and therefore cheaper energy prices. Our full calculation can be found HERE.

However, an approximate calculation cannot replace a detailed study, including modelling of the European energy system. Such an investigation is quite expensive, as it requires modellers' time and hardware: the very large studies, such as the long-term scenarios, cost millions. - For smaller NGOs and activists, such sums are almost unaffordable! Which has advantages for mainstream politics: proposals against the mainstream are difficult to 'get off the ground', i.e. to make solid calculations.

100% clean energy for Germany

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Despite these problems, we have been able to develop a project with our partner Quantified Carbon: 'Germany's Energy Future' will model in detail what 100% clean energy could look like for Germany – considering all the options available.

A first sub-project has already been commissioned, but we still need around €20,000 to finance the ambitious overall project*. Please help us to make nuclear power 'discussable' again in Germany!

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Please donate now!

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