Annual meeting on nuclear technology. Opening address

The operators of Germany's nuclear power plants continue to make their contribution to the security of supply with the safe and reliable operation of their plants, thus ensuring the success of the energy transition. Despite increased load following operation due to a further increase in feed-in especially of volatile renewable energies, three German nuclear power plants were in the Top Ten global producers of electricity from nuclear energy in 2013. In spite of not producing an equivalent of seven full-load days due to load following operation, the Isar 2 nuclear power plant once again bears the proud title of 'world champion producer'. This balance is also an impressive performance record for nuclear power made in Germany. Despite the accelerated nuclear phase-out, German plants with German operators, and suppliers and service providers based mainly in Germany, are in the top category worldwide once more. Since the end of last year Germany has a new Federal Government as a new version of the grand coalition of 2005 to 2009. The government has set new priorities in the energy sector. However, on many questions concerning nuclear energy, particularly the complex topics of decommissioning and waste management, we are still seeing far too little movement at present. Main topics are: - New site selection process for final repository for high active waste, - Alternative interim storage - just not Gorleben, - Decommissioning, dismantling and administrative bottlenecks, - Lack of predictability for low and medium active waste, - Nuclear fuel tax, electricity market and security of supply, - Electricity market, security of supply and regulation. (orig.)