German Employers Slam Energy Switch Cost

German employers slam cost of energy switchover

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday defended her government’s decision to phase out nuclear power and switch to renewable energies within a decade, but acknowledged the need to overhaul and speed up the transition plan.

Business leaders have criticized the way the switchover has been managed, saying the costs are spiraling and hurting some companies.

‘‘We have achieved a lot but we are far from being where we should stand,’’ Merkel told a gathering of the German Employers Association.