Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the German government is examining every option to keep the country warm and reduce its energy dependence on Russia. Keeping nuclear power plants online is being reviewed, but it may be unlikely.

By the end of 2022, Germany will complete a multi-decade shutdown process of the country’s oft-maligned nuclear power plants. Energy insecurity concerns have repeatedly led foreign and a few domestic stakeholders to re-examine the country’s nuclear phase-out.

Asked about whether Germany would reverse the imminent shutdown of its nuclear plants, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck said that “It is also part of my ministry’s examination duties to answer this question” on national TV on Sunday (27 February).

In concrete terms, that would mean extending the amount of time the nuclear power plants would be allowed to run, something that especially Habeck’s green party had long entirely ruled out.

“The question is a relevant one. I would not dismiss it ideologically,” he added.

As Germany is revamping its defence and foreign po