nuclear-news

2 April 2013

The Winnepeg Free Press

AP

Image source ; http://www.renewables-made-in-germany.com/en/start/windenergie.html

BERLIN – Germany exported much more electricity than it imported last year, with the surplus rising to its highest in four years despite the government’s decision to accelerate its exit from nuclear power.

The Federal Statistical Office said Tuesday that Germany exported 66.6 billion kilowatt hours to other European countries in 2012 and imported 43.8 billion. The surplus of 22.8 billion was up from the previous year’s figure of 6 billion, and was worth €1.4 billion.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government shut down the eight oldest of Germany’s 17 atomic reactors after Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011.

The rest are to be gradually phased out by 2022, with the government focusing on increasing use of renewable energy sources to fill most of the gap.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/germany-electricity-exports-much-higher-than-imports-last-year-despite-faster-nuclear-exit-201007931.html