Fourth quarter of 2002
Coalition agreement signed by the SPD and Grüne parties represented in the former and new German governments
WISE-Paris, 25 October 2002
[Posted 25/10/2002]
On 16 October 2002, representatives of the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschland (SPD) and the Bündnis90/Die GRÜNEN (the ‘Greens’) signed a coalition agreement for the 2002-2006 period. The ninety page agreement illustrates that it is not the main questions traditionally of interest to the Greens—i.e. environment and energy—that are to the forefront. Only two pages deal with energy and nuclear power (see full translation of corresponding extract, below). In fact, the overarching concern is to pursue what was already defined in the preceding agreement.
However, certain aspects of energy policy, sometimes scattered throughout the text of the agreement, are certainly worthy of note:
- the objective of ‘doubling the share of renewable energies in electricity generating and primary energy consumption by 2010 at the latest (with 2000 as baseline)’;
- the announcement that the ‘market incentive program for renewables is to be reinforced in the coming years (€200 million in 2004, €220 million in 2005 and €230 million in 2006)’;
- the objective in the area of off-shore wind power for installations ‘with a power rating of at least 500 MW to be installed by 2006, and 3,000 MW by 2010’;
- the objective of internationalization: ‘in the next five years, the federal government will make €500 million available to developing countries to support renewable energies, with an additional €500 million to improve energy efficiency’;
- a strong affirmation that, where abandoning of nuclear power is concerned, ‘the agreement will be applied in terms of the spirit of its intent and to the letter; this applies equally to the federal government's position in international bodies and with regard to European Commission projects’;
- the announcement that ‘in order to allow a re-orientation of European energy research, we commit to the cessation of the exceptional status of the Euratom Treaty as part of the next reform of the EU treaties’;
- the objective that ‘all intermediary storage installations in nuclear power stations should be operational at the latest by the entry into force of the ban on transport to reprocessing plants, on 1 July 2005, to avoid transport within the country’.Although the agreement includes withdrawal of the Stade reactor from the grid for 2003, the recent request from the electricity generators to maintain operation of the oldest plant (Obrigheim, commissioned in 1969) for another five years (equivalent to generation of 15 TWh) caused an uproar among the Greens. The generators intended to switch the operating credit equal to a recent plant over to this older facility with the aim of going beyond the next elections—which will take place in four years—in the hope of seeing a right-wing government reverse the process of abandoning of nuclear power.
The Greens' grass-roots environmental supporters were all the more angry because it seems to have been Chancellor Schröder himself who committed to keeping the thirty-three year old reactor in service. The compromise, reached outside of the agreement, left a nasty after-taste with those opposed to nuclear power: Obrigheim is allowed to generate another 5.5 TWh, i.e. it can operate for around two years, and the corresponding credit comes from a reactor (Philippsburg-1, commissioned in 1980) which is older than that originally requested (Neckarwestheim-2, the last German reactor commissioned, in 1989).
On 18 October 2002, the Green Party Conference nevertheless voted in favor of signing with the social-democrat partner. The SPD confirmed the agreement at its own conference on 20 October 2002.
Download full text of the SPD-Grüne agreement (German only) in PDF format (90 p., 731 Kb) : Koalitionsvertrag.pdf
Signed 16 October 2002
(translated by WISE-Paris)
Continuing the “new direction in energy”
Protection of the climate and the ‘new direction in energy’ not only represent a plus for the environment. Tens of thousands of jobs have been created in this sector in recent years. The environment creates jobs. We wish to extend and reinforce that.
For continuous development of energy savings in the building sector, the following are to be launched:
- a program supporting construction of 30,000 dwellings based on passive solar design (Passivhäuser);
- a program to follow up modernizing of energy systems in existing buildings, including subsidies and exceptional reductions.The Emeuerbare Energien Gesetz (EEG - law on renewable energies) and support policy have been developed with the aim of doubling the share of renewable energies in electricity generating and primary energy consumption by 2010 at the latest (with 2000 as baseline).
The federal government is to accelerate extension of cogeneration and market penetration of fuel cells, as well as decentralized cogeneration units (Blockheizkraftwerke) in compliance with the law on cogeneration, adopted in the previous legislative period, and with agreement of industry for the extension of cogeneration.
In the off-shore sector, wind power units with a power rating of at least 500 MW should be installed by 2006, and 3,000 MW by 2010. The time limit on subsidies granted under the EEG is to be adapted in accordance with these objectives.
The federal government will examine the EEG and make subsidies degressive as a function of technology.
We wish to continue to develop the regulatory framework of energy law and to re-submit the already prepared draft energy law to the Bundestag, immediately and without modification. If no acceptable solution for connections can be found within the framework of the gas federations agreement, which reaches its term at the end of 2003, the federal government will prepare regulations for access to the network.
In the heat production from renewable sources sector, stabilization of the framework for subsidies will be ensured. The aim is to double the area of solar collectors in the next four years.
The federal government will pursue and reinforce the ‘renewable energy exports’ initiative.
Abandoning nuclear power
Under the agreement of 14 June 2000, the federal government and energy companies reached an understanding to limit future use of existing nuclear power plants and to guarantee safe plant operation and nuclear waste management for the remaining period of operation.
The agreement will be applied in terms of the spirit of its intent and to the letter. This applies equally to the federal government's position in international bodies and with regard to European Commission projects.
After final shutdown of the Mülheim-Kärlich plant in 2002, the Stade nuclear power plant will be disconnected from the grid in 2003.
In compliance with the agreement with the energy companies and with the decisions of the conference of ministers of the environment, a complete safety management system will be introduced for existing installations.
All intermediary storage installations in nuclear power stations should be operational at the latest by the entry into force of the ban on transport to reprocessing plants, on 1 July 2005, to avoid transport within the country.
After completion of the work of the ‘working group on the final storage selection procedure’(Arbeitskreis Auswahlverfahren Endlager) the federal government will submit to the Bundestag a proposed decision concerning the criteria and selection procedure for the final storage site (for nuclear wastes), in accordance with the terms of the coalition agreement of 1998. Regarding the question of financing of exploration work, the government intends to reach agreement with energy companies in view of their responsibility as waste producers. Questions of responsibility and procedure, including the decision on the final storage site, will be governed by law.
The federal government supports the European Commission's initiative on fixing unified minimum standards for safe operation of nuclear power plants in the expanded European Union.
Agreements with other states that serve to support nuclear energy will be examined to see if they are to be rescinded or modified.
State support for development of nuclear-based techniques for generation of electricity is to be terminated.
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