Nuclear power in the Federal Republic of Germany

The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) has a well developed nuclear technology base. At the end of 1987 it had 21 nuclear power plants in operation which produced 31.3% of the country's electricity. The government has a strong committment to the development of nuclear power, so that the country is not dependent on imported fossil fuel. FRG's policy has been to develop light water reactors as the main type for electricity generation, and in recent years PWRs have been the preferred type. The country also carries out research into the other reactor types - a high temperature reactor at Hamm Uentrop and a fast reactor at Karlsruhe, and operates a pilot scale reprocessing plant in the Karlsruhe research centre. FRG has no operating disposal facilities for radioactive waste: wastes from the nuclear fuel cycle are usually conditioned and stored on site. (U.K.)