Berlin - Germany signed an agreement yesterday to phase out all nuclear energy over the next 20 years, Derek Scally reports. Over one-third of electricity in Germany originates in nuclear power plants, but under the agreement the last of these plants will close in 2021.
The Environment Minister, Mr Jurgen Trittin, called the agreement "a historic moment' but Greenpeace criticised the agreement as a "placebo for the people". The 20-year phase-out period gives the nuclear industry too much time to renegotiate the terms, a spokesman said.