> renewables can not make up the difference then, now or in the foreseeable future
Note that renewable electricity supply has actually grown faster than nuclear has declined.
https://energytransition.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/img3...
Note that renewable electricity supply has actually grown faster than nuclear has declined.
https://energytransition.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/img3...
There have been significant investments in economic, political, and social support of renewables which have enabled that growth. Also, the rising price of oil has made it more competitive.
Renewable energy has been promoted. Nuclear energy detractors have only advocated against it, rather than fighting the more difficult "shut down the nuclear plants and also spend money on more renewables" fight, they went with just "shut down the nuclear plants". Coal was the unintended result.
There is discussion happening at high levels in government, for example the State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Rainer Baake, used to be the head of Agora Energiewende who put out this coal phase out strategy.
https://energytransition.org/2016/01/proposal-for-a-german-c...
Note that Germany earns more $ per MWh exported to France than vice versa. This is because on average France tends to have surpluses at night and in summer when electricity isn't in high demand. France imports electricity at high prices during cold snaps in winter when German wind tends to be blowing.