Markus Söder Pushes for Mini-Nuclear Reactors to Revamp Germany’s Energy Policy

Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister-President and CSU leader, has strongly advocated for the construction of smaller, advanced nuclear reactors—often called “Mini-Meiler”—as a significant shift in Germany's current energy strategy. Despite Germany's ongoing nuclear phase-out, Söder argues these mini-reactors, similar to those being developed in Canada and parts of Europe, could deliver affordable energy without the heavy state subsidies that traditional large reactors demand. He highlighted the often overlooked high costs of nuclear energy, with prices reaching up to 49 cents per kilowatt-hour as noted by previous plant operators.

Söder sharply criticized the federal government's current energy policies, which he termed "dishonest," particularly its reliance on importing energy sources like fracking gas from the USA and nuclear power from France and the Czech Republic, while neglecting Germany’s own natural gas reserves in Northern Germany. He urged reopening the discussion on domestic gas exploration and advocated for a serious evaluation of mining rare earth elements domestically to boost competitiveness, echoing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's sentiments.

Furthermore, Söder warned against the focus on electric vehicles potentially threatening Germany's automotive industry and jobs. He also overtly challenged the SPD-led Federal Ministry for the Environment, accusing it of clinging to outdated green ideologies and failing to modernize environmental policy approaches.

The call comes at a time when Germany plans to shut down its last three nuclear reactors by spring 2024, marking a critical juncture for the country’s energy future. Söder’s propositions seek to balance energy affordability, industrial competitiveness, and energy independence in a rapidly changing European context.