The Philippsburg-2 pressurised water reactor unit in Germany is scheduled to be shut down permanently at 19.00 local time on 31 December 2019, bringing the number of nuclear plant closures in Europe this year to three.

The number of commercial nuclear plants in Germany’s fleet will be six and press reports have said utility EnBW, which operates Philippsburg, will have to import additional power from neighbouring countries and regions. The country’s nuclear plants have been providing about 11.7% of its electricity.

Philippsburg-2, a 1,402 MW plant that began commercial operation in April 1985, is being shut down as part of the German government’s policy of phasing out nuclear energy.