RWE pulls plug on German nuclear plant
15 Mar 2011
Essen, Germany – RWE is shutting down its Biblis Block A nuclear power unit in Germany to carry out safety inspections. The move is in response to the serious nuclear alert at the Fukushima power plant in Japan.
“We are deeply concerned by the terrible events in Japan and our thoughts are with the Japanese people,” said a 15 March company statmment.
“In view of the catastrophe in Fukushima, it is right to examine whether the events in Japan can provide us with concrete information as to how we can further increase our already high safety levels.”
The German government has declared a moratorium on the lifetime extension of German nuclear power stations, and decided to take seven power units off the grid.
RWE said it would discuss the technical and economic consequences with the German government, but emphasised the safety of its nuclear power stations.
“From a safety perspective, the company sees no necessity to call the lifetime extension into general question,” the company stated.
RWE’s Biblis Block B power unit has already been shut down for inspection purposes since 25 Feb 2011.
