Germany shuts down nuclear power and advances renewable revolution despite cost and safety criticisms

The German government is standing firm in its decision to shutter the country's remaining nuclear power plants despite complaints that the move endangers the power supply and sabotages climate change mitigation efforts.
Critics argue that nuclear power provides a source of low-carbon baseload power that renewable energy sources cannot yet replace.
The government maintains that a diverse mix of renewable energy, fossil fuels and new technologies like hydrogen can meet the country's energy needs without nuclear power.
The last three nuclear plants were already operating without required safety checks, prompting the government to reject calls to delay their closure.
The decision brings to an end decades of debate over the role of nuclear power in Germany's energy transition to renewable sources.