The Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine on Germany’s Energy Choice Attitudes among Residents in German States with Nuclear Power Plants in Commission or Decommissioned

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the Germany public’s energy choices. Along with much of Europe, Germany was hit by Russia reducing and then cutting its gas supplies. Although alternative sources have been found, this exposes the vulnerability of Germany’s energy market to outside control. An online survey of 600 German consumers was conducted in August 2022. The results suggest that 70% of participants were concerned about the shortage of oil and natural gas supply after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and 60% were concerned about the shortage of electricity supply. The invasion led many participants to support maximizing the use of existing power plants, including nuclear and coal-fired power plants, as an alternative to dependency on Russian supplies. There was an increase in people supporting the expanded use of renewable energy as a solution to the crisis. States with nuclear power plants were seen as needing to reduce and decarbonize their natural gas and coal-fired power generation while advancing their energy mix. The results suggest that the Energiewende approach and objectives have broad public support.