Germany to shut down nuclear power plant

BERLIN, May 10, 2005 -- Xinhua

The German government announced Tuesday that it is shutting down a nuclear power plant this week as part of the government's plan to close all such stations by the year 2020.

In a brief statement, the German Environment Ministry announced that the Obrigheim nuclear power plant in southern Germany will be shut down on Wednesday after 36 years of operation.

In 2000, the German government reached an agreement with energy companies for the gradual closing down of the country's 19 nuclear power stations after their lifespan of 32 years.

Under the deal, the generating industry will be allowed to produce about 2,500 terawatt hours before the shut-down.

Germany has become the first leading economic power officially to announce it would phase out the use of nuclear energy. About 433 nuclear power stations operate worldwide.

After the September 11 assaults in New York and Washington in 2001, nuclear security has been on the top of the Environment Ministry's agenda.

The German government is investing more in wind and solar power.

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