Merkel braced for fall out as Germany approves nuclear extension

German chancellor Angela Merkel today announced controversial new plans that will extend the life of the country's 17 nuclear reactors as part of an attempt to simultaneously increase investment in renewable energy.

The decision prepares the ground for one of the biggest fights of Merkel's political career as opposition parties lined up to challenge a decision that means Germany's previous goal of phasing out nuclear power by 2021 will not be reached.

Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Merkel said it was unrealistic to phase out nuclear energy so quickly, arguing that it was needed as a bridge technology while the country continues to build up its renewable energy capacity.

"The government yesterday approved a far-reaching and sweeping concept for energy production in the coming decades, making our power generation the most efficient and most environmentally friendly in the world," Merkel said Monday. "This means we need nuclear energy, as well as coal, as a bridge technology. I know that many people are very sceptical and critical of nuclear power and we take these concerns completely seriously."

The new plan features a wide range of concessions to environmental groups, including a target to ensure 50 per cent of Germany's energy comes from renewable sources by 2050 and proposals to invest €3bn (£2.47bn) to €4bn a year in renewable technologies.

Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen said that while Germany's reactors would have their life extended by an average of 12 years a staggered approach would see the oldest reactors phased out first. "We've agreed that older nuclear plants will receive an extension of eight years, and newer ones operating with different technical standards will get a 14-year extension," he told reporters.

However, opponents of nuclear power warned that some reactors could see their lives extended until 2040 while opposition politicians vowed to fight the decision.

Merkel plans to circumvent the upper house, where her centre-right coalition lost power earlier this year, in order to pass the new plan. But the opposition Social Democrats and Greens have vowed to challenge the decision in court if the plan is not put to a vote in the Bundesrat. The Social Democrats also signalled that they would reverse the extensions if they regain power at the next election.

Sigmar Gabriel, the leader of the SPD, accused Merkel of caving into demands from the nuclear lobby and vowed to fight proposals that polls have shown are opposed by the majority of voters. "The chancellor is selling off public safety by allowing ailing and ageing nuclear power plants to stay online longer," he said.

A major protest against the decision is expected in Berlin on Wednesday with further protests scheduled across Germany later this month.

Nuclear power plants provide around a quarter of Germany's energy, but concerns about safety and the absence of adequate waste disposal facilities remain high in the country.