Germany will leave two nuclear power plants in operation until April to limit the threat of winter blackouts in Europe's largest economy, Bloomberg reports.

Economy Minister Robert Habeck told reporters that two of Germany's three remaining nuclear power plants will remain in operation if necessary, requiring changes to the law within weeks.

Germany plans to make a final decision on whether the EON SE Isar-2 and EnBW AG Neckarwestheim nuclear power plants will be needed by December. According to Habeck, the decision will be based on data from a stress test that takes into account the presence of the French nuclear fleet, whose reliability is worse than expected.

Habeck highlighted difficulties with nuclear facilities in neighboring France, which is usually a power exporter, as one reason Germany may have to keep its reactors running to address a potential power shortage in the south.

The government has said it will not levy additional tax on profits from operating these facilities after December and will reimburse the costs if they are not needed.