This interactive map from Der Spiegel is well worth a look as an illustration of the extent of Germany’s growing retreat from nuclear power.

Click on “AKW in Deutschland” to see the distribution of the existing network. Those in black (some, admittedly of Soviet design in the former East Germany) were already closed down. Those in red are the more elderly plants now suspending operations in the wake of the Japanese crisis. The two in Baden-Wurtemberg reportedly may never be reopened. Those in yellow are operating normally for now. Click on “Erdbebenzonen” to see Germany’s ‘earthquake zone’ (yes really) . . . and the overlap with some of the power stations.

This extract from a Reuters story today gives some background:

BERLIN, March 17 (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday she aimed to accelerate Germany’s move away from nuclear energy after the crisis in Japan and dismissed accusations she may have closed seven atomic plants illegally.Merkel this week backtracked on an unpopular decision to extend the life of ageing nuclear stations, drawing scorn from the opposition which says she is merely trying to avoid a major electoral setback in regional polls this month. Addressing a rowdy session of parliament, Merkel said nuclear technology remained a transitional source of affordable power while renewable energy sources were developed further. Under a “moratorium”, the government ordered by decree on Tuesday the closure of all nuclear plants which began operating before 1980 for at least three months, so that they could undergo safety checks.
“We will use the moratorium period, which we deliberately set to be short and ambitious, to drive the change in energy policy and accelerate it wherever possible, as we want to reach the age of renewable energy as quickly as possible,” she said.
Imposing the moratorium, Merkel suspended a government decision taken only last autumn to prolong the life of Germany’s 17 nuclear power plants beyond their original closure dates . . .

In short, matters don’t look good for Germany’s nuclear industry. The country has an anti-nuclear tradition going back to the 1970s. The left is pretty much against, and has been for decades. The right has been more supportive (the governing coalition recently voted to extend the lives of some power stations — the extension that is now in doubt), but has a wide green streak.

Angela Merkel’s cack-handling of Germany’s position within the EU has left the governing coalition very vulnerable. Don’t expect her to stick up for nuclear power.