Problems in France’s nuclear power sector are expected to compound the energy squeeze in neighbouring Germany this winter.
Gloomy forecasts for electricity production in France make it ever more likely that Germany will have to delay the long-planned switch-off of its own nuclear stations.
French forecasts shared with officials in Berlin suggest power generation could be as much as 20 per cent lower than hoped, putting Germany in what Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck called an “extreme scenario” owing to lower imports.
On top of that, forecasts by French electricity provider EDF often prove too optimistic, Mr Habeck said, meaning Germany could have to use up even more precious gas to generate power.
If things do not improve, two condemned nuclear plants, Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim, would be kept in reserve beyond the December 31 deadline to plug a potential shortage in Germany.
“The numbers from France have kept going down in the last few weeks,” Mr Habeck said.
“At this stage I have to say that the data from France suggests that we will have to call up and use the reserve.”
The squeeze is an annoyance for both governments. Mr Habeck’s Green party faces having to postpone its long-cherished dream of phasing out nuclear power just when it was on the cusp of completion.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron has made clear his dissatisfaction with EDF over the maintenance problems that have put a large chunk of the nuclear power sector out of action.
Numerous plants in France’s 56-strong network were taken offline after pipe corrosion was discovered during repairs, adding to Europe’s energy woes after Russia reduced its natural gas exports.
French electricity sales to Germany plummeted by 59 per cent in the first half of this year, making Germany a net exporter to France for the first time since reunification in 1990.
Officials say an initial estimate that French nuclear capacity would reach 50 gigawatts during the winter is no longer on the cards.
Instead, the latest modelling suggests no more than 45GW of production for two weeks in January and then only 40GW by the end of February.
"If these developments do not go into reverse, we will leave Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim on the grid in the first quarter of 2023," Mr Habeck said.
As part of the preparations in Germany, MPs will have to approve an extension of the December 31 deadline that was set more than a decade ago in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster.
The emergency plans call for Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim to keep running until April, at between 50 per cent and 95 per cent of capacity. A third plant, Emsland, is still on track to close on schedule.
Nuclear operators EnBW and Eon agreed to the extension after sometimes fractious talks with the government, which agreed to compensate them for any losses after they spent years preparing for the switch-off.
Even so, the extension “is very challenging to implement … it means that we will have to rework all measures prepared for the planned year-end phase-out”, said EnBW chief operating officer Georg Stamatelopoulos.
Germany’s winter plans include an energy-saving campaign to lower gas consumption and emergency plans for gas rationing in which people could be asked to make do with the bare essentials.
However, Mr Habeck has rejected calls from the opposition for a deeper rethink on nuclear power, including keeping existing plants on the grid until 2024 and possibly investing in a new generation of small reactors.
“The emergency situation in France makes clear once again that nuclear power is not a technology of the future ― the future is renewable,” said Green party co-leader Ricarda Lang.
Mr Macron, by contrast, is an enthusiastic supporter of nuclear power and has called for France to build between six and 14 new reactors by 2050.
The two countries are at odds over a European plan to designate nuclear power as sustainable for the purposes of green investment, which narrowly passed the European Parliament in July.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')
Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')
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3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
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General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
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Company%20profile
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