Does Europe need nuclear power?

In the energy mixed foreseen in the German government's energy concept, renewable energy is to assume the main role in future. What will the long-term strategy for the future energy supply be like, and what role will be assigned to nuclear power? In the opinion of Franz Mayinger, Technical University of Munich, not using atomic energy is neither ecologically sensible nor is it economically justifiable. Europe is competing with the emerging economies in Asia an increasingly South America and needs a reliable and in the long-run affordable supply of electricity, especially for modern, efficient manufacturing processes. Economic dictates but also an adequate standard of living for the populace requires that Europe maintain and expand its atomic energy, especially if we are to take climate change and CO2 reduction seriously. For Thomas Hamacher, also of the Technical University of Munich, the main question now is not whether we will still need atomic energy in 2050 but what must atomic energy look like as a major component of a sustainable energy supply and what research projects are needed to be able to realise this in 40 to 50 years. In his opinion intensive research is needed to ensure that atomic energy is developed in such a way that it is in accord with the strict criteria of sustainability. Here power plants based on nuclear fusion hold the promise of overcoming the above-mentioned sustainability deficits. The fuel for theses plants is available in sufficient quantities. The operational safety is ensured by the basic characteristics, not least the low power density. Permanent radioactive waste does not arise from nuclear fusion.