German nuclear reactor leak poses no security threat but complicates plans

BERLIN, Sept 19 (Reuters) – E.ON (EONGn.DE) has informed the German government of a leak at the Isar 2 nuclear power plant which did not compromise safety but could complicate the government’s winter energy plan, a said the Ministry of the Environment on Monday.

Isar 2 in southern Bavaria was due to be decommissioned at the end of the year as part of Germany’s nuclear phase-out plan.

But the war in Ukraine and the subsequent fall in energy imports from Russia have prompted a change in policy, with Berlin now planning to keep two of Germany’s three remaining reactors, including Isar 2, on standby until next year. .

The ministry said a week-long repair period was needed in October at the Isar 2 plant, which is run by E.ON subsidiary PreussenElektra, during which operations would come to a complete halt.

A spokesman for E.ON said he was confident that a framework for Isar 2 to enhance the security of Germany’s electricity supply beyond December 31 could be agreed with the government.

“Due to the time required, however, it is now necessary that the ongoing political discussions quickly lead to a clear outcome and that all parties involved create planning security as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson added.

The German Environment Ministry said that together with the Ministry of Economics it was “examining the new situation and its implications for the design and implementation of the reserve reserve” of the Isar 2 development . Read more

The EEX transparency site, where operators must place mandatory messages about plant outages at the wholesale electricity market, did not show entry on Isar 2 for October.

The E.ON spokesperson said it informed the authorities as required by German law.

(This story corrects paragraph 9 to say the company has notified, not would notify, authorities)

Reporting by Markus Wacket and Vera Eckert; Written by Rachel More; Editing by Riham Alkousaa, Raissa Kasolowsky and Alexander Smith

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