Germany announced on Monday that it will shut down all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. Environment Minister Norbert Rottgen announced the decision after emerging from late-night talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other officials. Germany is the first major industrial country to commit to closing its nuclear power plants. Rottgen said eight reactors have already been shutdown and will never be used again. A further six will be turned off by 2021, while the country’s three newest reactors will go offline the following year. “It’s definite,” said Rottgen. “There will be no clause for revision.” The announcement comes after the German government announced a review of its nuclear policy shortly after the outbreak of the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima reactor in Japan. There have been mass anti-nuclear protests in Germany in recent weeks, while the country’s Green party has seen a surge in popularity.