Nuclear Energy Reconsidered: Germany’s Post-Crisis Dilemma

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 5 Sayı: 1, 1 - 20, 30.06.2025

Firdevs Korla

Öz

The Russia-Ukraine war has triggered widespread disruptions and long-term consequences in international trade, accompanied by significant political and legal ramifications. Energy has emerged as a primary concern. Russia's substantial share of the European Union's natural gas imports, coupled with its utilization of energy as a geopolitical weapon, has precipitated a severe energy security crisis for European nations, particularly Germany. This study investigates the responses and policy decisions undertaken by the German government since the onset of the war, with a focus on enhancing energy security and self-sufficiency. Within this context, the long-term objective of utilizing renewable energy as the primary source for total energy consumption, a cornerstone of German energy policy for many years, has been critically examined in terms of its effectiveness in ensuring energy security. Furthermore, the study explores alternative pathways to address the precarious energy security environment created by the heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. In this regard, nuclear energy, which was phased out of German energy policy in the 1980s, has been re-evaluated as a potential solution to Germany's current energy predicament. The study concludes that nuclear energy, like natural gas in the past, could serve as a bridge towards transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, thereby bolstering Germany's energy security. Additionally, the study finds that Germany's prioritization of environmental concerns over security in its energy policies has contributed to national energy supply security challenges, as exemplified by the Ukraine crisis.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Energy Security, Nuclear Energy Policy, Germany Energy Transition, Ukraine Crisis, Renewable Energy

Nükleer Enerjinin Yeniden Değerlendirilmesi: Almanya’nın Kriz Sonrası İkilemi

Öz

Rusya-Ukrayna savaşı, uluslararası ticarette geniş çaplı aksamalara ve uzun vadeli sonuçlara yol açmış; bu süreç önemli siyasi ve hukuki yansımaları da beraberinde getirmiştir. Enerji konusu ise bu kriz sürecinde temel bir sorun olarak öne çıkmıştır. Rusya'nın Avrupa Birliği’nin doğal gaz ithalatındaki yüksek payı ve enerjiyi jeopolitik bir silah olarak kullanması, özellikle Almanya açısından ciddi bir enerji güvenliği krizine neden olmuştur. Bu çalışma, savaşın başlangıcından itibaren Alman hükümetinin enerji güvenliğini artırma ve kendi kendine yeterliliği sağlama amacıyla aldığı politika kararlarını ve tepkilerini incelemektedir. Bu bağlamda, uzun yıllardır Alman enerji politikasının temel yapı taşı olan toplam enerji tüketiminde yenilenebilir kaynakların ana enerji kaynağı olarak kullanılması hedefi, enerji güvenliğini sağlama yeterliliği açısından eleştirel bir bakışla değerlendirilmiştir. Ayrıca, ithal fosil yakıtlara olan yoğun bağımlılığın yarattığı kırılgan enerji güvenliği ortamını aşmak için alternatif yollar araştırılmıştır. Bu çerçevede, 1980’li yıllarda kademeli olarak Alman enerji politikasından çıkarılan nükleer enerji, Almanya’nın mevcut enerji açmazına potansiyel bir çözüm olarak yeniden değerlendirilmektedir. Çalışma, nükleer enerjinin geçmişte doğal gazın üstlendiği gibi, fosil yakıtlardan yenilenebilir kaynaklara geçişte bir köprü işlevi görebileceği ve bu sayede Almanya’nın enerji güvenliğini güçlendirebileceğini incelemektedir. Ayrıca, Almanya’nın enerji politikalarında güvenlikten ziyade çevresel kaygılara öncelik verme anlayışının, Ukrayna krizi örneğinde görüldüğü üzere, ulusal enerji arz güvenliği açısından sorunlara yol açtığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Enerji Güvenliği, Nükleer Enerji Politikası, Almanya’nın Enerji Dönüşümü, Ukrayna Krizi, Yenilenebilir Enerji

Kaynakça

• Adedoyin, F. F., Erum, N., Taşkin, D., & Chebab, D. (2023). Energy policy simulation in times of crisis: Revisiting the impact of renewable and non-renewable energy production on environmental quality in Germany. Energy Reports, 9, 4749–4762.
• Ashurst. (2022). The Ukraine conflict An energy reset. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from Ashurst website: https://www.ashurst.com/en/insights/the-ukraine-conflict-an-energy-reset/
• Bachmann, R., Baqaee, D., Bayer, C., Kuhn, M., Löschel, A., Moll, B., … Schularick, M. (2022). What if? The Economic Effects for Germany of a Stop of Energy Imports from Russia (Research Report No. 028). ECONtribute Policy Brief. Retrieved from ECONtribute Policy Brief website: https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/268581
• Barca, S., & Delicado, A. (2016). Anti-Nuclear Mobilisation and Environmentalism in Europe: A View from Portugal (1976–1986). Environment and History, 22(4), 497–520.
• Barroso, M. M., & Iniesta, J. B. (2014). A valuation of wind power projects in Germany using real regulatory options. Energy, 77, 422–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.027
• Bechberger, M., & Reiche, D. (2004). Renewable energy policy in Germany: Pioneering and exemplary regulations. Energy for Sustainable Development, 8(1), 47–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0973-0826(08)60390-7
• Beveridge, R., & Kern, K. (2013). The ‘Energiewende’ in Germany: Background, developments and future challenges. Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, 4(1), 3–12.
• BMU, & BMWi. (2011). The Federal Government’s Energy Concept of 2010 and the Transformation of the Energy System of 2011. Berlin.
• BMWİ. (2019). Commission on growth, structural change and employment—Final Report. Berlin: Federal Ministry for EconomicAffairs and Energy (BMWi).
• BMWK. (2021). Energy Security Progress Report. Berlin.
• BMWK. (2024). Expert commission reports on the state of the energy transition. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://www.bmwk-energiewende.de/EWD/Redaktion/EN/Newsletter/2024/07/Meldung/news1.html
• Boehmer‐Christiansen, S. A. (1992). Taken to the cleaners: The fate of the East German energy sector since 1990. Environmental Politics, 1(2), 196–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644019208414021
• Bohdanowicz, Z., Łopaciuk-Gonczaryk, B., Gajda, P., & Rajewski, A. (2023). Support for nuclear power and proenvironmental attitudes: The cases of Germany and Poland. Energy Policy, 177, 113578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113578
• Bordoff, J., & O’Sullivan, M. L. (2022). The New Energy Order: How Governments Will Transform Energy Markets. Foreign Affairs, 101, 131.
• BP. (2021). Statistical Review of World Energy 2021. London. Retrieved from https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/business-sites/en/global/corporate/pdfs/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-2021-full-report.pdf
• BP. (2022). BP Energy Outlook 2022 Edition.
• Bredberg, I., Hutter, J., Koch, A., Kühn, K., Niedzwiedz, K., Hebig-Schubert, K., & Wähning, R. (2020). 2019 Status Report on the Use of Nuclear Energy in Germany. In Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management. Retrieved from https://doris.bfs.de/jspui/bitstream/urn:nbn:de:0221-2020112324023/3/2019_Status_Report_on_the_Use_of_Nuclear_Energy_in_Germany.pdf
• Buongiorno, J., Corradini, M., Parsons, J., & Petti, D. (2019). Nuclear energy in a carbon-constrained world: Big challenges and big opportunities. IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, 17(2), 69–77.
• Burgherr, P., & Hirschberg, S. (2008). A Comparative Analysis of Accident Risks in Fossil, Hydro, and Nuclear Energy Chains. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 14(5), 947–973. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807030802387556
• Cîrdei, I. A. (2021). EU Energy Security at a Glance: The Evolution of the Situation Between 2014-2018. Land Forces Academy Review, 26(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.2478/raft-2021-0001
• Clean Energy Wire. (2015, June 17). Germany’s energy consumption and power mix in charts. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from Clean Energy Wire website: https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-energy-consumption-and-power-mix-charts
• Corner, A., Venables, D., Spence, A., Poortinga, W., Demski, C., & Pidgeon, N. (2011). Nuclear power, climate change and energy security: Exploring British public attitudes. Energy Policy, 39(9), 4823–4833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.06.037
• Directorate-General for Financial Stability, & Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. (2022). EU Taxonomy: Commission Presents Complementary Climate Delegated Act to Accelerate Decarbonisation. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Retrieved from Publications Office of the European Union website: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/publications/eu-taxonomy-complementary-climate-delegated-act-accelerate-decarbonisation_en
• Energy Institute. (2023). Energy Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.energyinst.org/statistical-review/resources-and-data-downloads
• Ethics Commission for a Safe Energy Supply. (2011). Germany’s energy transition – A collective project for the future. Berlin.
• Eurostat. (2020). Shedding light on energy in the EU: what is the source of the electricity we consume? Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/infographs/energy_2020/images/pdf/pdf-energy-eurostat-2020.pdf
• Eurostat. (2022). EU natural gas import dependency down to 83% in 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from Publications Office of the European Union website: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20220419-1
• Feldhaus, P., Fürstenwerth, D., Gohl, M., Schröter, B., & Vahlenkamp, T. (2010). Transformation of Europe’s Power System until 2050, Including Specific Considerations for Germany. McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from McKinsey & Company website: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/dotcom/client_service/epng/pdfs/transformation_of_europes_power_system.ashx
• Financial Times. (2021, October 5). Letter: Germany should postpone nuclear exit  to help  climate. Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/e7e08182-6749-44df-9594-23ba84ba6dd5
• FMER. (2022). Federal Reporton Research and Innovation 2022. Retrieved from https://www.bundesbericht-forschung-innovation.de/files/BMBF_BuFI-2022_Short-version.pdf
• Fraunhofer. (2022, January 17). Public Net Electricity Generation in Germany in 2021: Renewables Weaker Due to Weather - Fraunhofer ISE. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE website: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en/press-media/news/2022/public-net-electricity-in-germany-in-2021-renewables-weaker-due-to-weather.html
• Frondel, M., Ritter, N., & Schmidt, C. M. (2008). Germany’s solar cell promotion: Dark clouds on the horizon. Energy Policy, 36(11), 4198–4204.
• Frondel, M., Ritter, N., Schmidt, C. M., & Vance, C. (2010). Economic impacts from the promotion of renewable energy technologies: The German experience. Energy Policy, 38(8), 4048–4056.
• Gailing, L., & Moss, T. (2016). Conceptualizing Germany’s energy transition: Institutions, materiality, power, space. Springer. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=tr&lr=&id=buogDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=CONCEPTUALIZING+GERMANY%E2%80%99S+ENERGY+TRANSITION&ots=ULoX9DCS1w&sig=x6meeX0zJ_j0KT0pU2WDc1IhYaQ
• Gasser, M., Pezzutto, S., Sparber, W., & Wilczynski, E. (2022). Public research and development funding for renewable energy technologies in Europe: A cross-country analysis. Sustainability, 14(9), 5557.
• Hake, J.-F., Fischer, W., Venghaus, S., & Weckenbrock, C. (2015). The German Energiewende – History and status quo. Energy, 92, 532–546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.04.027
• Halser, C., & Paraschiv, F. (2022). Pathways to overcoming natural gas dependency on Russia—The German case. Energies, 15(14), 4939.
• Haunss, S., & Hollway, J. (2023). Multimodal mechanisms of political discourse dynamics and the case of Germany’s nuclear energy phase-out. Network Science, 11(2), 205–223.
• Heather, P. (2022). The role of the traded gas hubs, in: A Series of Unfortunate Events—Explaining European Gas Prices in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Insight-111-Explaining-European-gas-prices-in-2021-the-role-of-the-traded-gas-hubs.pdf
• Hippauf, P. (2024). Decommissioning Costs of Nuclear Power Plants–an International Overview. Atw. Internationale Zeitschrift Fuer Kernenergie, 69(1), 7–11.
• Ibadoghlu, G. (2022, August 3). What the EU’s new gas deal with Azerbaijan could mean for Europe’s energy security. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from EUROPP website: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2022/08/03/what-the-eus-new-gas-deal-with-azerbaijan-could-mean-for-europes-energy-security/
• IEA. (2024). Germany—Countries & Regions. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from IEA website: https://www.iea.org/countries/germany/energy-mix
• IPCC (Ed.). (2023). Summary for Policymakers. In Climate Change 2022—Mitigation of Climate Change: Working Group III Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (pp. 3–48). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157926.001
• Ipsos. (2011, June 21). Sharp World Wide Drop in Support for Nuclear Energy. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/knowledge/society/sharp-world-wide-drop-support-nuclear-energy-26-new-opponents-say-fukushima-drove-their-decision
• Jänicke, M. (2010). German climate change policy: Political and economic leadership. In The European Union as a leader in international climate change politics (pp. 149–166). Routledge. Retrieved from https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203839959-18/german-climate-change-policy-political-economic-leadership-martin-j%C3%A4nicke
• Kharecha, P. A., & Sato, M. (2019). Implications of energy and CO2 emission changes in Japan and Germany after the Fukushima accident. Energy Policy, 132, 647–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.05.057
• Krebs, T. (2022). Economic consequences of a sudden stop of energy imports: The case of natural gas in Germany. ZEW-Centre for European Economic Research Discussion Paper, (22–021). Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4168844
• Kunz, F., & Weigt, H. (2014). Germanys Nuclear Phase Out—A Survey of the Impact since 2011 and Outlook to 2023. Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, Volume 3(Number 2). Retrieved from https://ideas.repec.org//a/aen/eeepjl/eeep3_2_02kunz.html
• Kurmayer, N. J. (2022, July 28). Germany’s €177bn climate budget to focus on renovations. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from Www.euractiv.com website: https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/germanys-e177bn-climate-budget-to-focus-on-renovations/
• Kuzemko, C., Blondeel, M., Dupont, C., & Brisbois, M. C. (2022). Russia’s war on Ukraine, European energy policy responses & implications for sustainable transformations. Energy Research & Social Science, 93, 102842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102842
• Liu, J. L., Fu, J., Wong, S. S., & Bashir, S. (2023). Energy Security and Sustainability for the European Union after/during the Ukraine Crisis: A Perspective. Energy & Fuels, 37(5), 3315–3327. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c02556
• McWilliams, B., Sgaravatti, G., Tagliapietra, S., & Zachmann, G. (2022). A grand bargain to steer through the European Union’s energy crisis. Bruegel Policy Contribution. Retrieved from Bruegel Policy Contribution website: https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/270507
• Mez, L. (2005). Renewable energy policy in Germany–institutions and measures promoting a sustainable energy system. Solar Cities for a Sustainable World, Daegu, Korea. Retrieved from https://gbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Renewable-energy-policy-in-Germany.pdf
• Mišík, M., & Nosko, A. (2023). Post-pandemic lessons for EU energy and climate policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Introduction to a special issue on EU green recovery in the post-Covid-19 period. Energy Policy, 177, 113546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113546
• NTV. (2023). Dünya yüzünü yeniden nükleere döndü. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.ntv.com.tr/dunya/dunya-yuzunu-yeniden-nukleere-dondu,SfR5n8YAaEytAtTUA5deFQ
• Pata, U. K., Kartal, M. T., Erdogan, S., & Sarkodie, S. A. (2023). The role of renewable and nuclear energy R&D expenditures and income on environmental quality in Germany: Scrutinizing the EKC and LCC hypotheses with smooth structural changes. Applied Energy, 342, 121138.
• Paul, F. C. (2018). Deep entanglements: History, space and (energy) struggle in the German Energiewende. Geoforum, 91, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2018.02.017
• Politico. (2022, May 17). Ukraine war heats up energy poverty debate. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from POLITICO website: https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-heats-up-energy-poverty-debate/
• Pous, P. de. (2022, April 8). Germany’s bold and ambitious 100% renewable power plan. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from E3G website: https://www.e3g.org/news/germany-s-bold-and-ambitious-100-renewable-power-plan/
• PPCA. (2017). Powering Past Coal Alliance | Working towards the Global Phase-out of Unabated Coal Power. Powering Past CoalAlliance (PPCA). Retrieved from Powering Past CoalAlliance (PPCA) website: Powering Past CoalAlliance (PPCA)
• Radiant Energy Group. (2024, December 4). Restarting Germany’s Reactors: Feasibility and Schedule. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.radiantenergygroup.com/reports/restarting-germanys-reactors-feasibility-and-schedule
• REN21. (2009). Renewables Global Status Report 2009 Update. Paris.
• Rokicki, T., & Perkowska, A. (2021). Diversity and Changes in the Energy Balance in EU Countries. Energies, 14(4), 1098. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14041098
• Sadath, A. C., & Acharya, R. H. (2015). Effects of energy price rise on investment: Firm level evidence from Indian manufacturing sector. Energy Economics, 49, 516–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2015.03.011
• Sonnberger, M., Ruddat, M., Arnold, A., Scheer, D., Poortinga, W., Böhm, G., … Tvinnereim, E. (2021). Climate concerned but anti-nuclear: Exploring (dis)approval of nuclear energy in four European countries. Energy Research & Social Science, 75, 102008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102008
• Statista. (2025a). Germany: Nuclear electricity production 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from Statista website: https://www.statista.com/statistics/736720/electricity-generation-nuclear-germany/
• Statista. (2025b). Germany—Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in current prices 2029. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from Statista website: https://www.statista.com/statistics/295465/germany-gross-domestic-product-per-capita-in-current-prices/
• Storbeck, O., & Sheppard, D. (2022, June 19). Germany fires up coal plants to avert gas shortage as Russia cuts supply. Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/f662a412-9ebc-473a-baca-22de5ff622e2
• Strunz, S., Gawel, E., & Lehmann, P. (2016). The political economy of renewable energy policies in Germany and the EU. Utilities Policy, 42, 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2016.04.005
• UNFCCC. (2015). The Paris Agreement of December 12th, 2015 on Greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance; 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
• Wiertz, T., Kuhn, L., & Mattissek, A. (2023). A turn to geopolitics: Shifts in the German energy transition discourse in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Energy Research & Social Science, 98, 103036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103036
• WNN. (n.d.). Tributes paid as Germany’s last nuclear plants close. World Nuclear News. Retrieved from World Nuclear News website: https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Tributes-paid-as-Germany-s-last-nuclear-plants-clo
• Żuk, P., & Żuk, P. (2022). National energy security or acceleration of transition? Energy policy after the war in Ukraine. Joule, 6(4), 709–712.