Summary
A new Innofact poll shows 55% of Germans support returning to nuclear power, a divisive issue influencing coalition talks between the CDU/CSU and SPD.
While 36% oppose the shift, support is strongest among men and in southern and eastern Germany.
About 22% favor restarting recently closed reactors; 32% support building new ones.
Despite nuclear support, 57% still back investment in renewables. The CDU/CSU is exploring feasibility, but the SPD and Greens remain firmly against reversing the nuclear phase-out, citing stability and past policy shifts.
Wait what I am 100% pro renewables…
If nuclear somehow were the only option, I would support it. But it’s the worst option.
How do we supply power when renewables aren’t enough?
Sodium ion backup batteries and other backup tech. This also helps to decentralize the grid if you place these batteries in neighborhoods.
Completely moving away from fossil fuels with just renewables is a pipe dream. Nuclear is not a panacea and it has its problems but it’s part of the solution to get rid of fossil fuels entirely.
Just because you say so doesn’t make it true
Well, good news, because I’m not the one saying it. That’s coming from our Transmission Operator. Everything is detailed in their 992 page report:
https://www.rte-france.com/analyses-tendances-et-prospectives/bilan-previsionnel-2050-futurs-energetiques#Lesresultatsdeletude
What it says is that 100% renewables in France by 2050 is not possible, as the technology is not quite there yet, and also because our energy consumption ever keeps growing.
What they propose is a mix of nuclear and renewables to reach carbon neutrality, then phasing out nuclear over decades.
Well our power providers have different claims, but I would not trust either. They obviously have their own goals.