München – Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder (59) is proposing a new energy policy for his state, diverging from the federal government’s stance. While Chancellor Friedrich Merz (70, CDU) has declared a return to nuclear power “permanently off the table,” Söder aims to establish Bavaria as a “nuclear laboratory” for Germany. His plan centers on moving away from large-scale nuclear plants toward modern, high-tech mini-nuclear power plants, which he calls “Nuclear Energy 2.0.”
Söder told BILD, “It’s time for a new epoch of nuclear energy. Nuclear Energy 2.0 does not indicate a return to old technology, but a new chapter without the previous dangers. This includes novel modular small reactors and nuclear fusion. It was a serious mistake by the traffic light coalition government to shut down the nuclear power plants during the biggest energy crisis. A return to the old large-scale reactors is now too late. But Germany needs baseload-capable and CO₂-free nuclear power. That’s why we are focusing on new, smaller plants. Bavaria is ready for a pilot project.”
Pilot Project for Mini-Nuclear Power Plants in Bavaria
The Minister President plans to test mini-nuclear power plants (SMRs) and nuclear fusion in Bavaria. Söder stated, “We are focusing on new, smaller plants. Bavaria is ready for a pilot project.” Other Union politicians have also previously voiced support for small nuclear power plants.
Söder also intends to utilize German nuclear waste as fuel through a process called transmutation, potentially resolving the final storage issue. He is calling on Berlin to amend the Transmutation Act to enable this. According to Söder, “From a long-term perspective, this could also solve the final repository question. It makes more sense to consume old nuclear waste than to let it radiate in the earth for millions of years. To this end, the federal government must amend the Transmutation Act to make these stocks usable again.”
Bavaria is also accelerating its efforts in nuclear fusion (magnetic fusion). The “Alpha” demo reactor will receive up to 400 million euros from Munich, in collaboration with RWE, start-ups, and the Max Planck Institute, aiming for “clean energy in almost unlimited quantities.”
Söder further stated, “The international conflict in the Middle East shows: we must rely on technology instead of ideology. We cannot complain about prices and at the same time buy energy only abroad.”
“The Demand for Electricity is Growing”
Germany must be technologically open and produce more of its own energy. Söder emphasized that energy is “the lifeblood of the economy.” He noted, “The demand for electricity is growing enormously due to data centers, AI and e-mobility – a modern data center already needs as much electricity as an entire city. For stable grids, we need, in addition to the massive expansion of renewable energies, a stable baseload supply with new gas-fired power plants and modern nuclear power.” Manfred Weber (53), EVP Group Chairman and CSU politician, also strongly advocates for a renaissance of nuclear energy in Europe and Germany. Weber called for technological openness and the use of modern reactor types in the FAZ. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (67) previously described the abandonment of nuclear power as a “strategic mistake.”
While Merz is closing the nuclear file in Berlin, Söder is reopening it in Munich with a new chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Nuclear Energy 2.0”?
According to Söder, “Nuclear Energy 2.0” refers to a shift away from large-scale nuclear reactors towards modern, high-tech mini-nuclear power plants and nuclear fusion.
What is transmutation?
Transmutation is a process where old nuclear waste is consumed as fuel, potentially resolving the final storage issue, according to Söder.
What is the status of nuclear fusion in Bavaria?
Bavaria is investing up to 400 million euros in the “Alpha” demo reactor for nuclear fusion, in collaboration with RWE, start-ups, and the Max Planck Institute.
Given these differing approaches to energy policy, how might the future energy landscape of Germany evolve?
