Nuclear energy will belong to everyday life in Germany for at least 40 years more, European Union energy commissioner, Guenther Oettinger, a German national, says in the Rheinische Post Monday.

"In Europe , there are still 140 nuclear power plants. Most governments don't think at all of switching them off," Oettinger is quoted as saying. "On German grids, we will have electricity generated by nuclear power also in 40 years' time," Mr. Oettinger says in the interview.

Oettinger also considers new nuclear power plants in Germany possible.

"Research in nuclear fusion, which is one form of nuclear energy, is making big progress. Maybe this technology will one day be accepted in Germany ," Mr. Oettinger says.

Germany is pursuing one of the world's most ambitious clean-energy strategies but the rapid expansion of renewable energies is widely seen as the main driver of rising energy prices in the country, triggering criticism from consumer groups.

According to Oettinger, German consumers have to prepare for at least five more years with rising electricity prices.

Germany produces more than 25% of its electricity from renewables such as wind and solar power but it is planning a complete exit from low-carbon energy source, nuclear power, over the next 10 years because of safety concerns.

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