Germany's coalition government has agreed to extend the lifespan of its nuclear power stations during marathon talks on energy policy. 

The agreement ended months of division in the coalition over how long Germany's 17 nuclear power plants should run beyond their current limit.

Under the previous limits, the last of the plants would be due to close by 2021. Energy Minister Norbert Röttgen said: 'We've agreed that older nuclear plants will receive an extension of eight years, and newer ones operating with different technical standards will get a 14-year extension.'

The debate has also seen nuclear power plant operators clash with environmentalists, with around 1,000 protesters staging a demonstration outside the chancellery where the meeting was held.

The agreement is set to be the cornerstone of Chancellor Angela Merkel's broader energy strategy which will be decided later this month.She has invested much political capital in the strategy, at the same time as her government has witnessed a slump in opinion polls and ahead of elections early next year.

German people are sceptical about the safety risks of nuclear power and unresolved questions about nuclear waste storage.

The deal would see power plants lifespan extended by an average of 14 years, but critics have threatened to block it in the German parliament.

The deal would see power plants lifespan extended by an average of 14 years, but critics have threatened to block it in the German parliament.

Röttgen said the agreement foresaw long-term support for developing renewables of up to 4billion euros a year.Sunday's meeting also set down plans for a separate nuclear fuel element tax intended to raise 2.3billion euros a year.

Opposition Social Democrats (SPD) said they would stage a legal challenge if Merkel's center-right coalition attempted to pass the deal without approval from the upper house of parliament.

The coalition lost control of the upper house - the Bundesrat - after a regional election defeat in May.

Agencies