Climate activist Greta Thunberg has criticised Berlin’s plan to shut down its remaining nuclear plants while increasing coal-fired power.

In an interview to be aired on Wednesday (12 October), a teaser of which was shared online by TV host Sandra Maischberger, the Swedish campaigner said turning off the nuclear power stations was a “bad idea” if it meant switching to coal.

Asked if nuclear was preferable for the climate, Thunberg said: “It depends. If they are already running, I think it would be a mistake to shut them down and turn to coal.”

Germany had planned to close its remaining three nuclear plants at the end of the year. With a gas squeeze and extended outages of French nuclear plants causing shortages and price spikes, two of the reactors – Isar-2 and Neckarwestheim-2 – could now have their lives extended, but only until April.