Germany’s nuclear energy industry association KernD has refuted arguments put forward by the government against prolonging the life of nuclear power plants, saying there are no legal or safety reasons why reactors cannot continue generating electricity.

The government has said legal measures would be needed to continue operating three plants – Brokdorf, Grohnde and Gundremmingen C – that were shut down on 31 December 2021 and these measures would equate to a “new approval” which would not be achievable for technical and scientific reasons.

KernD, however, said in a document that as long as approval for demolition has not been received by the operator, the existing operating licence continues to apply. It said from the point of view of administrative law, the licences are still valid.