Economy could benefit from phase-out

Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power is legitimate but poses a challenge for the economy, writes the business paper De Tijd: "The Fukushima accident has shown that nuclear energy is never 100 percent safe. Stress tests can at best only reduce the risk of nuclear disasters, but never rule them out entirely. The German people are entitled to decide that they're not willing to take the risk. But the country must then accept the consequences. It will be a great challenge to secure energy supplies at acceptable prices without weakening the competitiveness of German companies. The decision to effect a complete nuclear withdrawal by 2022 offers the advantage of a clear goal. This could provide the renewable energies sector and the search for technologies to make conventional power plants more environmentally friendly with an enormous stimulus. If Germany is successful it could gain an advantage over other countries."

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