Nuclear-free Germany means higher UK bills

BRITAIN'S energy bills could rise after Germany vowed yesterday to go nuclearfree by 2022.

Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered all 17 of Germany's reactors to close in the next decade and called for greater reliance on renewables.

She said: "We want the electricity of the future to be safe, reliable and economically viable."

The U-turn from her pro-nuclear policy follows a weekend of anti-nuclear demonstrations across Germany.

Mrs Merkel has faced mounting protests in the wake of the meltdown at Japan's Fukushima plant after March's tsunami and had already shut down Germany's seven oldest reactors - with one already off-line.

The move could hit UK households as the loss of Germany's nuclear power plants may affect European markets.

Until recently Germany got about 23 per cent of its electricity this way.

One trader said: "Prices must go up to account for permanently lower capacity.

Neighbouring Europe will have to price in the potential absence of German power in case of unfavourable supply situations."

Germany aims to increase the power generated by renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro from 17 per cent to 50 per cent.

This is despite questions about the reliability of renewables, articularly wind power, ghlighted by figures y esterday that cast doubt on Britain's renewable energy plans.

Official data shows Britain is getting less breezy. Last year was the stillest of the decade and 13 of the past 16 months have been calmer than normal.

Meteorologists warn that changing weather patterns over the next 40 years could leave wind turbines becalmed.

Germany's decision also sparked renewed criticism of Britain's energy policy.

Greenpeace UK's executive director John Sauven said Britain should opt for renewable energy.

He said: "As one of the world's economic powerhouses, Germany is showing that you don't need nuclear power to have a strong economy. The country is hrowing its weight behind clean renewable energy.

"Germany's renewable energy industry generates more electricity every year than all of the nuclear stations in the UK and they've also benefited with over a quarter of a million new clean energy jobs.

"Phasing out nuclear power will help unblock the full speed development of renewable energy and energy saving measures right across Europe. " The SNP, which has pledged to get all of its power from renewables by 2020, also said that Britain should follow Germany's lead.

Energy spokesman Mike Weir said:

"The world is waking up to the massive safety risks presented by nuclear energy.

"The SNP Scottish Government has already ruled out any new nuclear power stations in Scotland and it is time the UK Government followed Scotland and Germany's lead."

Last night the Department of Energy and Climate Change said that Britain's policy on nuclear power had not changed.

Britain plans to build at least eight new reactors in its quest to secure energy supplies from low carbon sources.

From The Express