Germany to the Nuclear-Free Country

Germany has decided to close all its nuclear reactors by 2022. The decision will make Germany the first major industrialized country that completely reject the use of a nuclear reactor following a nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan, last March.

Bundestag, the lower house of German parliament on Thursday (06/30/2011), approved by a majority vote of national plans to exit from nuclear power by 2022. The decision will encourage Europe's largest economy to a renewable energy path. The bill was passed with 513 supporting votes, 9 abstentions, and 79 opposed.

Germany has announced plans to exit from nuclear energy on May 30. Since then, eight German nuclear reactor has been completely shut down and nine other nuclear plants to be closed in 2022.

While other countries, including Britain and France, plans to build more nuclear reactors, Germany will increase the use of wind power and solar power to meet energy needs.

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, was forced to swallow his own saliva after previously saying it was safe nuclear power technology, in order to maintain public and political support. Despite the fact that the Germans get 23 percent of its energy needs from 17 nuclear reactors, nine are currently still running at full capacity, he claims that wind and solar energy could meet the shortfall.

"It's more than just a consensus for the exit from nuclear power, this is a consensus to switch to renewable energy," Merkel said. "We want to remain as industrial countries and sustain growth. But we want to manage that growth so that we guarantee the quality of life for future generations as well," he said.

Posted by Anggo82 on Friday, July 01, 2011. Filed under International, News . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Feel free to leave a response