RWE's executive board and works council have welcomed the willingness German policymakers have shown to take up discussion on delaying the phase out of nuclear energy, seen as a departure from their clear anti-nuclear stance.
RWE has said that extending nuclear power plant operation by 25 years to the commonly accepted international period of 50 to 60 years could yield an additional economic value of E250 billion, equivalent to E3,000 per German citizen.
The electricity major said that the extension is expected to cushion pressure on prices, helping the domestic industry to maintain its competitiveness and strengthen Germany as a production location. The economic advantages cited by RWE would result from extending the operating period beyond the 32 years that have been legally stipulated to date.
From a commercial point of view, RWE’s Biblis A nuclear power plant block is expected to go off-grid in 2010. If Biblis A were to remain on the grid, RWE could realize an additional effect on operating results, based on current electricity prices, of around E300 million per annum.
If the operation of the existing nuclear power plants is extended, RWE is reportedly prepared to immediately and unconditionally take up talks with the relevant authorities.