Mathias Miedreich, the CEO of the automotive supplier ZF, has become an advocate for Germany revisiting nuclear power. He argues that embracing nuclear energy is necessary to address soaring energy costs and secure the industrial position of Germany.
Speaking to the news platform Politico, Miedreich confirmed his openness to a renewed investment in nuclear technology. However, he stressed that the concept should be carefully defined, noting that modern nuclear power generation is fundamentally different from the large power plants built in the 1960s and 1970s.
Specifically, Miedreich focused on the promise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). He cited numerous examples from the United States, where these small power plants are ideally situated within industrial parks. He highlighted their critical potential to provide carbon dioxide-free energy, particularly for the chemical and oil industries.
Furthermore, Miedreich urged policymakers to avoid a dogmatic approach to energy planning, arguing that there is no reason not to reassess nuclear energy based on current data and facts. He pointed to successful international examples that demonstrate the viability of these methods.
Underpinning his argument is the critical issue of energy costs, which Miedreich identifies as a central threat to German industrial competitiveness. He stated that confronting this problem is an absolute necessity. Addressing high energy prices requires not only the integration of new technologies, such as AI and robotics, but also robust industrial policies and suitable structural frameworks.
