Coal, Gas to Replace Germany's Closed Nuke Plants

Solar and wind might be making up ground, but their potential can't fuel Germany's economy in the meantime.

Germany's decision to wean itself off nuclear power looks like it will mean Europe's most populous country will need to use coal, oil, and natural gas to make up for the energy shortage. The German government has closed eight nuclear plants since the meltdowns at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant following March's earthquake and tsunami, with the nine remaining set to be shuttered by 2022. But without any renewable sources ready to fill the gap left by those plants – some 140 terawatt hours a year – industry analysts figure Germany won't reach its goal of lowering its carbon emissions by 40 per cent of 1990 levels by 2020. In other words, invest in whatever German fossil fuel companies you can find.