RWE CEO Markus Krebber rejects the CDU’s demand to return to nuclear power. “The time for the three power plants that accounted for six percent of German power production has passed” he said to the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday edition).
“The RWE nuclear power plant in Emsland has been shut down since April 15, 2023, and will be dismantled. At present, there are 480 employees working on the dismantling process. If we were to restart the three reactors, we would need to go through lengthy approval processes, massive investments in retrofitting, and the buildup of a qualified operating staff.”
The CDU wants to review the restarting of the three recently shut-down reactors (Emsland, Isar, and Neckarwestheim) and the construction of new facilities if it takes power. Krebber also dismisses the idea of new construction, saying, “A new plant would take up to ten years or more, and nuclear power does not help with the current shortages. Current nuclear projects in other countries show that they are often twice as expensive as planned and cost billions of dollars. Whether new technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) will ever make sense is open.”
Krebber said, “Therefore, the state would have to take on the economic risk if it wants new plants to be built.”
He sees no problem with Germany importing French nuclear power: “It’s true that Germany has repeatedly imported French nuclear power. Recently, it was two gigawatts. But that’s normal in Europe. In the energy crisis, Germany has supported France with exports.”
Krebber doubts the end of coal power by 2030. “RWE is working on the coal exit by 2030, which we agreed on with the government and the states. This only works if we get the auction of the gas power plants by 2025” the CEO said to the “Rheinische Post”. Otherwise, the brown coal power plants and open-pit mines would have to run longer.
“By 2026, the government will review the exit date, as stipulated by law. It’s then a political decision whether the government wants our power plants to run for three more years in reserve after 2030.”
The manager warned, “The new federal government must immediately put the power plant strategy on the right track so that we can start building hydrogen-capable gas power plants. We want to build at least three gigawatts in North Rhine-Westphalia alone.”
RWE CEO criticized Federal Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Green), who plans to auction off only 12.5 gigawatts of new gas power plants and set gas mix targets: “The government should auction off 15 to 20 gigawatts of new power plants so that we have enough backup capacity in the future” Krebber said. “The government should not prescribe the fuel mix, but leave it to the market. The emissions trading system is the central instrument for climate protection and is sufficient for decarbonization.”
The entrepreneur demanded rapid social reforms from the new federal government: “We need more dynamics on the labor market. A four-day week over only 30 years of working life will not be enough to maintain today’s standard of living. The retirement age should be oriented to the demographic change. And it is important that work becomes more rewarding again. The citizen’s allowance should also be reviewed.”