Berlin – The debate over Germany’s energy future has taken an unexpected turn, with Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn reigniting discussions about reactivating recently shuttered nuclear power plants. Speaking at a Union faction research congress in Berlin on April 16, 2026, Spahn argued that bringing offline reactors back online would cost significantly less than building new facilities, citing studies suggesting a price tag of “around nine to ten billion euros” for the effort.
This position comes nearly three years after Germany’s final three nuclear plants – Isar 2, Emsland, and Neckarwestheim 2 – were disconnected from the grid in April 2023, marking the completion of the country’s nuclear phase-out. Spahn contrasted this estimated reactivation cost with the 30 to 50 billion euros typically required to construct new nuclear plants in other countries, framing the proposal as a fiscally prudent option worth societal discussion.
However, the idea faces immediate pushback from key stakeholders. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has consistently rejected any revival of nuclear power, calling the phase-out decision by previous administrations “irreversible.” Energy companies have also expressed skepticism about the feasibility and wisdom of reversing the shutdown, with industry representatives questioning whether reactivation would be technically viable or economically sensible after years of decommissioning preparations.
The coalition partner SPD dismissed Spahn’s initiative outright, with parliamentary business director Dirk Wiese telling the Rheinische Post that revisiting the same debates is “not constructive.” Wiese characterized nuclear energy as “the most expensive and dangerous form of power generation” and emphasized that the unresolved issue of nuclear waste storage remains a critical flaw in any reconsideration. He reiterated the SPD’s focus on expanding renewable energy as an “ecological, affordable, and reliable solution.”
Spahn’s comments echo earlier calls for a nuclear reassessment, including statements from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who labeled Germany’s exit from atomic energy a “strategic mistake,” and Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder, who has advocated for exploring modern tiny modular reactors in his state. The AfD has also formally pushed for reactor reactivation through Bundestag submissions, aligning with similar arguments about cost and energy security.
Despite the political momentum from certain quarters, the practical barriers remain substantial. Reactivating a nuclear plant involves complex safety recertifications, potential fuel reloading, grid reconnection protocols, and workforce requalification – all complicated by the fact that decommissioning activities have already progressed significantly at the shuttered sites. No operator has publicly indicated interest in pursuing such a reversal.
As Germany continues to navigate its energy transition amid broader European discussions about power security and decarbonization, Spahn’s proposal has added a new layer to an already contentious debate. Whether this spark will ignite a meaningful national conversation or fade as a political talking point remains to be seen, but for now, the idea of dancing around the “golden calf” of nuclear revival has entered the public discourse.
The next official development to watch will be any formal response from the federal government or energy regulators to Spahn’s call for a societal discussion, though no specific timeline has been established for such a process.
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