German rethink on nuclear plants

By Bertrand Benoit
Published: July 14 2008 03:00

Conservative politicians and Germany's big power companies have started work on an agreement to reverse the country's planned phasing-out of nuclear power.
The deal, which negotiators describe as little more than a sketch so far, would see nuclear plant operators setting up a fund using some of the extra profits derived from letting their plants run past the current deadline for the last plant closure in 2022.
The money could be used to finance research in renewable energy, lower electricity prices for poorer households, or efficiency measures such as a campaign to improve home insulation. Most plants in Germany generate considerable profits.
Bertrand Benoit, Berlin
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008