The German energy company Uniper, which was effectively nationalized in 2022, continues to operate nuclear power plants in Sweden. This is despite the German government’s official nuclear phase-out and the Greens’ strong anti-nuclear stance. Uniper, now majority-owned by the German government, has sold off some of its assets, but not its Swedish nuclear power plants.
The company’s involvement in the development of new nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors, raises questions about the government’s commitment to a nuclear-free future. Germany’s energy minister, Robert Habeck, has been criticized for his seemingly contradictory stance on nuclear energy.
The controversy surrounding Uniper’s Swedish nuclear power plants is also linked to a dispute over energy prices between Germany and Sweden. Germany has been importing electricity from Sweden, causing prices to rise and has been accused of being short-sighted in its energy policy.
The article concludes that the German nuclear phase-out is an anomaly, as nuclear power is experiencing a global resurgence, with many countries, including Russia, building new nuclear power plants. The developments in the nuclear industry, including the closure of the fuel cycle and the development of new reactor designs, demonstrate the potential of nuclear energy to provide a green and sustainable energy supply.