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Forum Atomique Européen

nucleareurope

NuclearEurope is the Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear industry in Europe, representing nearly 3,000 companies and around 1,100,000 jobs.

Lobbying Activity

Nucleareurope calls for simpler taxonomy rules for nuclear energy

5 Dec 2025
Topic — The initiative reviews environmental criteria for sustainable activities in the nuclear energy sector.
Message — The association requests flexible deadlines for radioactive waste disposal and the explicit inclusion of advanced modular reactors. They also seek to remove administrative requirements that they claim create unnecessary burdens.123
Why — These adjustments would facilitate private financing and reduce the costs of regulatory compliance.4
Impact — Renewable energy sectors may face increased competition for green funding from nuclear projects.5
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Response to Future development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe

4 Dec 2025

Nucleareurope, the trade association representing the European nuclear industry, has long supported the development of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, and is today a key partner and contributor of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, to which it has contributed since its very inception . We welcome the upcoming publication of the Communication on SMRs and their future development and deployment in Europe. This Communication should build on the vision set out in the Alliances Strategic Action Plan adopted by the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs in September 2025 . The Communication comes at a pivotal moment for the nuclear industry and for SMRs specifically, with growing interest for this technology in Europe and globally. Please refer to the attached document for a detailed analysis on what should be the focus of this Communication and recommendations on various subjects. The response and annex replace the previous response uploaded by nucleareurope.
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Meeting with Antonio Lopez-Nicolas (Head of Unit Energy)

24 Nov 2025 · Current outlook for nuclear energy in the EU

Meeting with Eero Heinäluoma (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Nov 2025 · Nuclear energy policies

Meeting with Laia Pinos Mataro (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

18 Nov 2025 · Current challenges of the nuclear sector and upcoming activities

Meeting with András Gyürk (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Oct 2025 · Nuclear energy

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

15 Oct 2025 · attached

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

15 Oct 2025 · Clean transition, Nuclear energy

Meeting with Ditte Juul-Joergensen (Director-General Energy)

15 Oct 2025 · EU energy policy developments

Nuclear industry urges EU to embrace nuclear for energy sovereignty

13 Oct 2025
Topic — Revision of EU energy security framework for decarbonised, integrated energy system.
Message — The organization requests technology-neutral policies supporting clean homegrown energy including nuclear. They seek removal of nuclear exclusions from EU funds, increased Euratom budget allocation to fission, and streamlined State Aid processes. They advocate recognition of nuclear's role in producing electricity, heat and hydrogen.1234
Why — This would secure investment financing and expand nuclear supply chain capacity in EU.56
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Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General Climate Action)

9 Oct 2025 · Nuclear energy in Europe

Response to Electrification Action Plan

8 Oct 2025

Electrification is one of the most powerful tools at the EUs disposal to reach its decarbonisation objectives. However, electrification in the EU has stagnated in the last decade. Nuclear, which remains the largest single source of decarbonised electricity, is ready to contribute towards driving forward electrification. Europe needs the upcoming electrification action plan to be ambitious and therefore nucleareurope recommends the following: Technology neutrality, both in terms of electricity generation and electrification technologies, should be applied throughout the plan. Presenting a fiscal framework favourable to homegrown technologies and electricity sources. Ensuring robust financial support for CAPEX and OPEX. Promoting PPAs and CfDs for nuclear power. Proposing ambitious electrification targets based on in-depth impact assessments of users needs and capabilities. This would create confidence in investments and allow energy intensive industries to adopt pragmatic electrification plans. Please refer to the attached document for a more in-depth analysis and response to this consultation.
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Meeting with Billy Kelleher (Member of the European Parliament)

2 Oct 2025 · MFF, energy affordability and security of supply

Meeting with Pierre Schellekens (Director Energy)

29 Sept 2025 · Exchange of views on the investment environment in the nuclear energy sector

Meeting with Paula Rey Garcia (Head of Unit Energy)

25 Sept 2025 · Electrification Action Plan

nucleareurope backs ambitious 2040 targets via technology neutral framework

16 Sept 2025
Topic — This consultation concerns amending the European Climate Law to establish 2040 targets.
Message — The group supports a 90% emissions reduction and full power decarbonisation by 2040. It demands a technology neutral approach that avoids specific targets for certain technologies. They also request financial support and de-risking tools for new nuclear reactors.1234
Why — This strategy ensures long-term certainty and better access to capital for nuclear projects.567
Impact — Fossil fuel companies lose market share as nuclear replaces coal and gas power.89
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nucleareurope urges EU to include nuclear in COP30 strategy

10 Sept 2025
Topic — This consultation shapes the EU global climate and energy strategy through 2029.
Message — The organization urges the EU to support both nuclear and renewables during COP negotiations. They request that the EU position reflects the domestic commitment to nuclear energy.12
Why — Mainstreaming nuclear in global policy would support the goal of 150GW installed capacity.3
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Meeting with Adam Romanowski (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič)

9 Sept 2025 · The EU-US trade and investment relations and the development of the nuclear energy in Europe

Meeting with Andreas Schwarz (Cabinet of Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva)

9 Sept 2025 · • Nuclear energy outlook in the EU and the world • EU policy developments, including the Commission’s proposal for the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2028-2034 • SMRs and the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs • Nuclear skills

Nuclear industry says plants already resilient to climate risks

4 Sept 2025
Topic — EU framework for achieving climate preparedness and resilience with harmonised climate risk management rules.
Message — The industry states nuclear plants are already highly resilient to climate events due to robust construction and high safety standards. They call for an ambitious European electrification strategy based on a technology-neutral approach to support climate mitigation.12
Why — This would ensure nuclear energy is included in EU climate and energy strategies.3
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Nuclear industry urges new trade measures to protect steel

14 Aug 2025
Topic — A consultation on trade measures to address global steel overcapacity impacts.
Message — Nucleareurope requests an effective trade measure to replace the current steel safeguard. They argue that high-quality steel is vital for building future nuclear technologies. This measure would ensure the survival of the industry and its value chains.12
Why — This would preserve the domestic value chain for specialized nuclear energy components.34
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Nucleareurope demands HFC quota exemptions to ensure nuclear safety

8 Aug 2025
Topic — An EU initiative to simplify rules and reduce burdens for mid-cap enterprises.
Message — Nucleareurope proposes exempting nuclear cooling equipment from quotas to ensure safety beyond 2050. They argue that waiting until 2040 for a review prevents necessary industrial planning.12
Why — This exemption would secure the supply chain for refrigerants required for long-term nuclear investments.34
Impact — Climate targets are undermined by permitting the continued use of high-global-warming substances indefinitely.5
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Meeting with Ciaran Nicholl (Director Joint Research Centre) and

8 Jul 2025 · 65th anniversary of the Geel-site - Visit of the nucleareurope Director General Emmanuel Brutin to HADES, the JRC-Geel Nuclear laboratories and the Reference Material Processing Hall

Meeting with Riccardo Rossi (Cabinet of Commissioner Jozef Síkela)

17 Jun 2025 · Nuclear Industry in Europe

Meeting with Johannes Ten Broeke (Cabinet of Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra), Miguel Jose Garcia Jones (Cabinet of Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra)

12 Jun 2025 · Discussion on the decarbonisation potential of nuclear energy

Meeting with Bertrand L'Huillier (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Laia Pinos Mataro (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

4 Jun 2025 · Energy sector – Nuclear Industry

Nucleareurope urges EU to prioritize nuclear expansion and funding

12 May 2025
Topic — The Commission's periodic review of investment needs across the European nuclear ecosystem.
Message — The organization requests a stable policy framework and a level playing field for nuclear against other technologies. They advocate for streamlined State Aid processes and access to public and private financing. The group calls for an ambitious 2040 framework focused on clean electricity rather than specific technology targets.123
Why — This would reduce financial risks and provide the certainty required for long-term investments.45
Impact — Renewable energy industries may lose dedicated funding and their privileged status in policy frameworks.678
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Meeting with Lukasz Kolinski (Director Energy)

8 May 2025 · Introductory meeting and discussion about ongoing EU energy policy issues

Meeting with Alexandr Vondra (Member of the European Parliament)

7 May 2025 · Energy affordability, security of supply, skills and financing

Meeting with András Gyürk (Member of the European Parliament)

7 May 2025 · Nuclear energy

Meeting with Pascal Arimont (Member of the European Parliament)

7 May 2025 · Policy issues surrounding nuclear energy

Meeting with Martin Engell-Rossen (Cabinet of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen)

4 Apr 2025 · Support to EU's objectives

Meeting with Anne-Maud Orlinski (Cabinet of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen), Martin Engell-Rossen (Cabinet of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen)

3 Apr 2025 · Nuclear Energy

Meeting with Eva Schultz (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu), Vanessa Debiais-Sainton (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu)

1 Apr 2025 · The development of a highly skilled workforce in the nuclear sector

Meeting with Massimo Garribba (Deputy Director-General Energy) and

31 Mar 2025 · An introductory meeting between the Commission and new Director-General of Nucleareurope on his main priorities for Nucleareurope and views on upcoming EU policy actions and activities related to nuclear.

Meeting with Jan Panek (Director Energy) and

12 Mar 2025 · An introductory meeting between the Commission and new Director-General of Nucleareurope on his main priorities for Nucleareurope and views on upcoming EU policy actions and activities related to nuclear.

Response to List of net-zero technology final products and their main specific components

20 Feb 2025

Nucleareurope welcomes the opportunity to provide input on the Implementing Act identifying final products and their main specific components under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). As the voice of the European nuclear industry, we emphasize the critical role of nuclear technologies including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors, and the nuclear fuel cycle in achieving the EUs decarbonization and energy security goals. The Implementing Act aims to accelerate the industrial deployment of strategic technologies necessary for achieving the European Unions climate and energy security objectives. It seeks to streamline permitting processes for strategic projects, facilitate market access for key technological components, enhance workforce skills, and improve coordination across the EU. Nucleareurope, as the representative organization of the European nuclear industry, strongly supports this initiative and welcomes the European Commissions recognition of nuclear energy as a key strategic technology. However, to ensure that the NZIA fully supports the nuclear sectors contribution to the EUs clean energy transition, it is essential to refine the list of essential components included in the annex. Nucleareurope, therefore, proposes the following additions and modifications to better reflect the needs of the nuclear industry. Key Considerations: 1. The following main specific components should be added to the Nuclear Fission Power Plants list: o Containment building, systems, structures and components o Nuclear Steam Turbines o Other pumps o Electrical distribution systems o Air-cooling systems and treatment of radioactive liquid and gas effluents 2. The following primarily Used Components should be added to the Nuclear Fuel Cycles list: o Mechanical processing and handling equipment o Containment enclosures equipment o Safety systems o Instrumentation and control systems o Storage and disposal vessels, cylinders and casks (addition of the word vessels) The inclusion of these additional components is essential to ensuring the full recognition of nuclear technologies within the Net-Zero Industry Act. For Nuclear Fission Power Plants, these components are fundamental to the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants, including advanced reactors and SMRs. Likewise, for Nuclear Fuel Cycles, they play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of fuel production, storage, and disposal. These additions will reinforce Europe's nuclear supply chain resilience, enhance industrial competitiveness, and support the EUs long-term decarbonization objectives. We remain available for further discussion and look forward to continued engagement with the Commission on this matter.
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Response to Delegated act on primarily used components under the Net-Zero Industry Act

20 Feb 2025

Nucleareurope, the Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear energy industry in Europe, acts as the voice of the European nuclear industry in energy policy discussions with EU Institutions and other key stakeholders. The membership of nucleareurope is made up of 15 national nuclear associations representing nearly 3,000 firms. Nucleareurope welcomes the opportunity to provide input on the Delegated Act identifying primarily used components under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). As the voice of the European nuclear industry, we emphasize the critical role of nuclear technologies including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors, and the nuclear fuel cycle in achieving the EUs decarbonization and energy security goals. The Delegated Act aims to accelerate the industrial deployment of strategic technologies necessary for achieving the European Unions climate and energy security objectives. It seeks to streamline permitting processes for strategic projects, facilitate market access for key technological components, enhance workforce skills, and improve coordination across the EU. Nucleareurope, as the representative organization of the European nuclear industry, strongly supports this initiative and welcomes the European Commissions recognition of nuclear energy as a key strategic technology. However, to ensure that the NZIA fully supports the nuclear sectors contribution to the EUs clean energy transition, it is essential to refine the list of essential components included in the annex. Nucleareurope, therefore, proposes the following additions and modifications to better reflect the needs of the nuclear industry. Key Considerations: 1. The following primarily Used Components should be added to the Nuclear Fission Energy Technologies list: o Containment building, systems, structures and components o Nuclear Steam Turbines o Other pumps o Electrical distribution systems o Air-cooling systems and treatment of radioactive liquid and gas effluents 2. The following primarily Used Components should be added to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies list: o Mechanical processing and handling equipment o Containment enclosures equipment o Safety systems o Instrumentation and control systems o Storage and disposal vessels, cylinders and casks (addition of the word vessels) The inclusion of these additional components is essential to ensuring the full recognition of nuclear technologies within the Net-Zero Industry Act. For nuclear fission energy technologies, these components are fundamental to the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants, including advanced reactors and SMRs. Likewise, for nuclear fuel cycle technologies, they play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of fuel production, storage, and disposal. These additions will reinforce Europe's nuclear supply chain resilience, enhance industrial competitiveness, and support the EUs long-term decarbonization objectives. We remain available for further discussion and look forward to continued engagement with the Commission on this matter.
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Meeting with Dan Jørgensen (Commissioner) and

30 Jan 2025 · Affordable Energy action Plan

Response to Update of State aid procedural rules, considering the EU’s international commitments, recent practice and case law

26 Jun 2024

The nuclear industry welcomes the ECs initiative to align State Aid decisions with the provisions of the Aarhus Convention, particularly concerning access to justice in environmental matters. As a sector committed to environmental protection, transparency, and upholding the strictest regulatory safety and security standards, we applaud the ECs efforts to provide Member States with tools to ensure compliance with international obligations by virtue of the Aarhus Convention. Concerning state aid, it is important to note that the legal framework currently in force already provides EU Member States and competitors with sufficient tools to challenge state aid decisions that raise serious legal doubts through well-established primary and secondary EU legislation governing nuclear energy. Potential adjustments through the establishment of new eventual procedures granting access to further administrative or judicial procedures, if introduced, need to ensure that the efficiency and stability of the nuclear sector is maintained, and that nuclear energy and its role in achieving the EUs environmental goals remains uncompromised. Nuclear energy undeniably plays an essential role in the EU's climate objectives for decades to come, ensuring energy security, supporting Europes green transition and its decarbonisation goals whilst promoting economic development in the region through a consistent and uninterrupted supply of a low-carbon energy source. Therefore, state aid decisions supporting national nuclear power projects are essential in achieving these goals and any procedural changes introduced aiming to challenge state aid decisions that benefit nuclear infrastructure projects should facilitate, rather than obstruct, this transition. For this, it is important to: - Clearly define the scope of state aid decisions subject to challenge, providing specific guidelines on which types of state aid decisions within the nuclear sector fall under the purview of the Aarhus Convention to avoid the multiplication of legal challenges based on political agendas. - Guarantee legal certainty of state aid measures applicable to existing nuclear projects, clearly determining the inapplicability of the new procedure to ongoing projects previously notified to the EC before the expected enforcement date. - Limit the time frames and deadlines set forth by the new procedure to what is reasonably necessary to ensure efficient processing. - Respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, ensuring minimal impact on investment conditions for industries involved in the EU's green transition, including nuclear power projects. - Ensure the flexibility of Member States to implement procedures that suit their national contexts, by virtue of their state sovereignty as well as their right to choose their energy mix under the Article 194 TFEU. This clarity will prevent ambiguities that could burden the industry and state aid beneficiaries, ultimately affecting the EU's interests. Therefore, the nuclear industry expresses concern about the potential negative impact of the implementation of lengthy procedures, which could potentially frustrate the deployment of new nuclear technologies and the maintenance of existing projects currently benefiting from state aid. Failure to respect these principles could deter investment and undermine the nuclear industrys contribution to the EUs energy and environmental objectives. In conclusion, the nuclear industry welcomes the EC and other relevant stakeholders to engage in consultations to address common concerns and refine the procedures that need to be established. It is essential that these procedures balance, on one hand, environmental considerations by virtue of the Aarhus Convention and, on the other, supporting the EUs energy and environmental goals through nuclear investments and strategic support offered through state aid.
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Meeting with Bernard Magenhann (Acting Director-General Joint Research Centre)

18 Jun 2024 · Information exchange on nuclear matters

Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General Climate Action)

5 Jun 2024 · to discuss the role of nuclear in helping Europe achieve its climate targets by providing not only decarbonised electricity, but also heat and hydrogen for other applications

Meeting with Marc Lemaitre (Director-General Research and Innovation)

25 Oct 2023 · Small Modular Reactors and Medical Applications of Nuclear Technologies + Euratom agenda

Meeting with Joan Canton (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton) and ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE

6 Oct 2023 · State of play on pre-partnerships for small modular reactors

Response to Mid-term evaluation of the ERDF, the CF and the JTF 2021-2027

26 Sept 2023

Nucleareurope would like to emphasise the importance of making funds available to the entire nuclear cycle. Therefore, we welcome the opportunity to respond to this public consultation, which comes at a time when the EU is looking to set up a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) through which it will use existing funds to help support certain technologies. The three funds covered by the consultation are expected to fall under the umbrella of STEP, in addition to several others which we hope the European Commission will also consult stakeholders on. We believe that the three funds should be amended as follows: - European Regional Development Fund: Deletion of Article 7 (a) which excludes the decommissioning or the construction of nuclear power stations. - Cohesion Fund: Deletion of Article 7 (a) which excludes the decommissioning or the construction of nuclear power stations. - Just Transition Fund: Deletion of Article 9 (a) which excludes the decommissioning or the construction of nuclear power stations. Our justification for this request is summarised in the attached position paper
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Nucleareurope calls for nuclear inclusion in Innovation Fund

4 Aug 2023
Topic — The initiative implements changes to the Innovation Fund, focusing on competitive bidding.
Message — The organization requests including nuclear projects, specifically Small and Advanced Modular Reactors, in the fund. They also advocate for a sovereignty criterion to reward domestic energy security contributions.12
Why — Inclusion would provide nuclear developers with access to significant funding and technical support.34
Impact — Renewable energy providers may face increased competition for finite climate funding resources.5
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nucleareurope urges shift to low-carbon sustainability reporting

7 Jul 2023
Topic — The consultation establishes mandatory sustainability reporting standards for environmental, social, and governance factors.
Message — The organization proposes shifting the reporting focus from specific technology types to CO2 intensity. They request replacing the term "renewable energy" with "low-carbon energy" throughout the standards.12
Why — This would allow nuclear power to be officially categorized as a sustainable energy source.34
Impact — The biomass sector faces potential exclusion from sustainability metrics due to its carbon emissions.5
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Meeting with Ditte Juul-Joergensen (Director-General Energy)

28 Jun 2023 · Energy market

Nucleareurope Urges Full Inclusion of Nuclear in Net-Zero Act

27 Jun 2023
Topic — EU consultation on the Net-Zero Industry Act to boost clean technology manufacturing.
Message — The association demands that the EU include all nuclear technologies in the regulation. They argue supporting the entire sector is necessary to reach net zero emissions.12
Why — Including the full nuclear sector would secure subsidies and protect the domestic supply chain.3
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Nucleareurope demands technology neutrality for EU 2040 climate goals

23 Jun 2023
Topic — The European Commission is setting a 2040 climate target for neutrality.
Message — Nucleareurope calls for an 80% emission reduction target and full power sector decarbonization by 2040. They demand nuclear energy receives equal access to all major EU investment funds.12
Why — A technology-neutral approach ensures nuclear projects qualify for massive EU public funding.3
Impact — Renewable energy sectors may face increased competition for limited EU climate funding.4
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NuclearEurope urges realistic gas thresholds for electrical equipment

3 May 2023
Topic — The initiative establishes a classification system for environmentally sustainable economic activities in the EU.
Message — The organization requests higher warming potential thresholds for high-voltage electrical equipment. They also propose correcting terminology regarding international finance standards.12
Why — Adjusting these limits ensures their equipment remains eligible for sustainable investment funding.3
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Nucleareurope urges inclusion of nuclear waste in green taxonomy

3 May 2023
Topic — Establishing technical criteria for sustainable investments across various environmental objectives.
Message — The group argues that excluding radioactive waste treatment and plant remediation from the taxonomy is unjustified. They request that nuclear waste be treated equally to other hazardous materials under the regulation. Finally, they call for including the decontamination of nuclear sites to ensure policy neutrality.123
Why — This would allow nuclear operators to access sustainable financing for waste disposal and site cleanup.45
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Meeting with Joan Canton (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

27 Mar 2023 · Net Zero industry act, small modular reactors

Meeting with Tsvetelina Penkova (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Feb 2023 · Meeting between Mihael MIHOV (APA) and NuclearEurope on the SMR INI Report

Response to Communication on revamping the SET Plan

2 Nov 2022

Nucleareurope welcomes the initiative which goal is to revamp the SET Plan Framework in order to adapt and accommodate to the new, rapidly changing reality Europe finds itself in. Nevertheless, the proposed revamp is severely lacking focus on one of the energy sources that is already now helping in the EU decarbonization : nuclear power. It is crucial to remember that as of today, nuclear energy represents around 25% of the electricity generation in the EU, and 50% of the low-carbon one. It also needs to be highlighted that nuclear energy contributes to securing 24/7, at affordable prices, the energy needed in households and industry, making the latter maintain its competitiveness in the globalized markets. Nucleareurope believes that the SET Plan Framework revamp should pay more attention to nuclear energy for the benefits it brings to the EU economy and for the contribution to the EU energy and climate goals in an integrated European Energy System. It should therefore go beyond nuclear safety issues and consider the technology as a crucial one, alongside other technologies, for achieving the transition to a carbon neutral economy in the EU by 2050. Key actions and IWGs should be added such as: long-term operation of the existing fleet, new nuclear capacity deployment, supply chain development, workforce and skills development, hydrogen production, industrial heat, direct connection to industrial and intensive users and district heating facilities (notably by Small Nuclear Reactors), analysis of financing models, and the list is non-exhaustive. We believe these actions to be very relevant and timely given the amount of Members States who have stated their intentions to either invest in new nuclear technologies (France, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Finland, The Netherlands, Slovakia) or have recently expressed willingness to backtrack on plans to phase out their current nuclear production infrastructure (Germany, Belgium). Issues 5) paying more attention to cross-cutting issues in the SET Plan, e.g. environmental needs (biodiversity, zero pollution, circularity, and resource efficiency) and social needs (health, safety, security, availability and affordability of energy, public engagement); Nucleareurope considers that cross-cutting issues in the SET Plan should benefit all sectors concerned and an all-inclusive, technology neutral approach should be applied. Also, job creation should be added to the list of social benefits that energy infrastructures provide. Policies 5) The SET Plan will become a key tool in improving how the NECPs are updated and monitored. Nucleareurope believes that this point should be clarified: need for providing more insights on how the SET Plan would be a tool to improve the updating and monitoring of the NEPCs. Indeed, nuclear is mentioned in several Member States NECPs as being part of their future energy mix, therefore a SET Plan focusing only on nuclear safety issues does not provide the right tool to enable an adequate and appropriate updating and monitoring of the plans. People 1) The SET Plan will take better account of peoples needs in a future energy system (e.g. through a dedicated work stream to enable societal and social acceptance). Part of the work on enabling societal and social acceptance should rely on improving the publics awareness regarding the different sources of low-carbon energy and their impact on the environment. This can include resource use, land use, contribution to security of supply and to the European energy sovereignty.
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Nucleareurope pushes for lower emission factors for nuclear hydrogen

16 Jun 2022
Topic — The Commission is establishing rules to calculate greenhouse gas savings for hydrogen.
Message — The group suggests using hourly grid emission data and lower nuclear emission factors. They also advocate for a full life cycle assessment to ensure technological neutrality.123
Why — Lowering these factors makes nuclear-derived hydrogen viable under EU emission thresholds.4
Impact — Foreign renewable equipment manufacturers may face disadvantages from full lifecycle emission checks.5
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Response to European Strategy on international energy engagement

20 Dec 2021

FORATOM welcomes the intention of the European Commission to propose a strategy on international energy engagement. As the voice of the European nuclear industry, we would like to emphasize the major benefits of nuclear energy in ensuring a clean and inclusive energy transition. Nuclear offers a reliable, safe and secure low carbon solution to produce major quantities of electricity at an affordable cost. Nuclear energy provides a quarter of all the electricity produced in the EU and almost half of the EU low carbon electricity, all of this at an affordable cost. Nuclear energy is a proven solution to climate change that entails the European Union to have one of the lowest emitting electricity mix with 281 g CO2e/kWh. FORATOM strongly support the international efforts to decarbonize energy systems worldwide and phase out coal and other fossil fuels. According to scientists, the best way to do so is to promote the increasing uptake of both nuclear and renewable energy. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to ensure a technology neutral approach in the dedicated funds and initiatives. It also requires guaranteeing a level playing field at an international level for the reconversion and enrichment markets that are two strategic markets for the UE. FORATOM and its members are committed to assist the EC in the drafting of the international energy engagement strategy and believe the Commission should take this opportunity to improve its leadership in climate diplomacy and to promote EU energy industries in the global market. We join the Commission in its intention to promote the highest nuclear safety standards and believe that the strategy would need to enforce such safety standards for all technologies. Historically, thanks to the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC), the European Union has been a leader in the export of the know-how on safety standards. The European nuclear industry has always been at the forefront of safety technologies and an improvement in the overall execution of the INSC would reinforce the EU global leadership in nuclear safety. FORATOM believe the strategy needs to also integrate actions at an international level to protect European companies from foreign subsidies distorting the internal market. Foratom strongly supports the intention of the Commission to address these issues through a proposed Regulation to ensure a level playing field between EU and foreign companies. However, not only financial distortions must be taken into account as, as we mentioned it in our response to the public consultation on the Regulation, non-financial support is also detrimental and may similarly entail distortive effects within the EU Single Market at the expense of EU companies. This is typically the case of advantages resulting from differences in legislation, for instance on the environmental front, which allow foreign companies to benefit from less costly production facilities. This strategy should also tackle these issues.
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Response to Addressing distortions caused by foreign subsidies

22 Jul 2021

FORATOM, the trade association representing the interest of the nuclear industry in the EU, welcomes the opportunity to participate in the public consultation related to the EC Proposal for a regulation (COM(2021)223) on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market. FORATOM also welcomes the EC initiative which is very ambitious in trying to restore a level playing field for EU companies. We believe that there is however room for clarification of some elements for a better implementation of the regulation when it comes to the nuclear industry which we represent. And in the attached file, details can be found on how we believe the regulation can be further improved.
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Response to Commission Delegated Regulation on taxonomy-alignment of undertakings reporting non-financial information

31 May 2021

FORATOM welcomes the EU’s goal of encouraging investment into more sustainable activities. In order to achieve this, it is important that companies report in a transparent and open manner on their activities as this will provide investors with the information which they need to help guide their investments towards certain activities. Nevertheless, the nuclear sector has some concerns regarding the timing of this initiative. According to the legislation, as of 1 January 2022 companies covered by the Non-Financial Reporting Directive will need to communicate on which of their activities are considered as taxonomy-compliant – or not. This reporting will relate to the previous year, ie 2021. Adapting IT and reporting systems to the new requirements will take time and incur significant costs. We are less than 8 months away from this 1 January deadline. And yet, the key Delegated Acts (DA) upon which this reporting is based are yet to be finalised: - This proposal for a DA still requires the approval of the Council and European Parliament. Even in the best case, it will not be adopted before the end of October this year (and this assumes that it is sent for scrutiny before the end of June, and that the scrutiny period is not extended to 6 months). - The 1st DA (covering the climate mitigation and climate adaptation aspects of the taxonomy) has also yet to be sent for scrutiny, and so will also not be adopted before end of October at the earliest. - Several key sectors, including nuclear, are currently not included under this 1st DA but will be subject to a complementary DA for which there is currently no clear timeline. Given the very short deadlines, and the uncertainties surrounding some technologies, FORATOM believes that the Article 8 reporting requirements should be put on hold until work is completed on the three DAs referenced above: - Pushing companies to report on taxonomy aligned activities without having first finalised the assessment of the different technologies risks negatively affecting companies with a large share of, for example, nuclear. As it currently stands, nuclear would need to be listed as a non-taxonomy compliant activity simply because the complementary DA is not yet published and adopted. This goes against the principle of a science-based and technology neutral approach and could ultimately affect investor confidence in such a tool. - As mentioned, implementing the new reporting requirements will require a major overhaul of reporting systems. Companies should be given sufficient time to adapt and invest in new reporting systems. Furthermore, given the costs involved, it would be preferable to wait until all technologies under the same sector have been assessed – failure to do so means that companies will have to spend more time and money updating the system once their assessment is finally completed.
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Meeting with Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

4 May 2021 · Foratom views on the decarbonisation of power sector

Meeting with Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

11 Mar 2021 · Nuclear industry views on the Taxonomy work on-going on nuclear energy

Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

5 Feb 2021 · Draft Delegated Act Taxonomy regulation

Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

5 Feb 2021 · ESG reporting and a single platform

Meeting with Mariya Gabriel (Commissioner)

29 Jan 2021 · EURATOM programme

Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

30 Nov 2020

FORATOM has taken due note of the draft Delegated regulation put forward by the European Commission in relation to the taxonomy regulation. FORATOM believes that this proposal runs the risk of distorting the market and creating an unfair competitive situation for certain companies. This is because it has not completed the assessment of all economic activities within the energy sector, and thus does not include all power-producing technologies. Both in its draft and final Taxonomy report, the TEG confirmed that low-carbon nuclear does contribute towards Europe’s climate mitigation goals. Nevertheless, it did not believe it had the right expertise to assess nuclear against the Do No Significant Harm criteria and thus recommended that the Commission establish a group of experts with an in-depth knowledge of the nuclear life cycle to review this point. The Commission mandated the JRC to undertake this analysis in September 2020, but unfortunately confirmed that nuclear would not be included in this delegated act for the time being. Adoption of this delegated act will give the technologies covered instant access to EU funds and financial instruments which are aligned to the Taxonomy goals. As a result, funds will be made available for investments in technologies such as wind and solar before being made available for investments in nuclear. This could result in penalising some of the most decarbonised utilities in Europe simply because they have achieved this level of decarbonisation thanks to low-carbon nuclear. In order to prevent such market distortion, it is essential that the electricity-generating section of the taxonomy be put on hold until all technologies have undergone a robust, science-based assessment. FORATOM has several other concerns relating to the content of this proposal. The draft states that ‘In order to ensure a level playing field, the same economic activities should be subject to the same technical screening criteria’. The mitigation annex does not meet the level-playing field criteria. Indeed, certain renewable technologies do not need to meet the GHG life cycle emission threshold of 100gCO2e/kWh. Others, eg hydropower and gas projects, do. (See Annex 1 under substantial contribution to climate mitigation for each activity certain activities must comply with this threshold. However, no reference to such compliance is made for wind or solar - for bioenergy, a different criteria is applied). In our opinion, all electricity-related technologies should be required to meet the same threshold. This would bring them inline with the requirement laid out on Page 6 (5) that the same economic activities should be subject to the same technical screening criteria in order to ensure a level playing field. We support the need for third party verification – particularly for technologies which are primarily manufactured outside of Europe (and for these we also recommend that shipping emissions be included in the life-cycle emission analysis). FORATOM is also concerned by the lack of robust criteria which has been used for this assessment. Since the very beginning, the nuclear industry has been calling for the criteria to be established first, and only afterwards for each technology to be assessed against these criteria in the same way. We find that the mitigation annex lacks clarity on which criteria the technologies have been assessed against and what the outcome is. For several technologies, the assessment simply assumes that they meet the requirements of the relevant legislation and are therefore considered taxonomy compliant. For example, under the impacts relating to water and marine environments, offshore wind must comply with Directive 2008/56/EC. For hydropower, the requirements are much more stringent. Here again we call for a level-playing field: either the EU assesses all technologies on the basis that they comply with relevant legislation, or each technology is subject to more in depth scientific criteria.
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Response to Action Plan on synergies and cross-fertilisation between the civil, defence and space industries

23 Oct 2020

FORATOM welcomes the consultation on the Commission's roadmap for an action plan to create synergy between civil, defence and space industries. We share the views in the importance in exploring new opportunities for innovation, growth and job creation arising from synergies and cross-fertilisation with civil industries, securing strategic value chains, improving the resilience of existing industries and achieving economies of scale. This will be pivotal for EU competitiveness and sovereignty in many critical economic and technological areas. Here we would like to stress that the nuclear sector remains committed to contributing significantly to such areas. The European nuclear industry and its R&I community have a long history of providing excellence and benefit to European citizens. Nuclear energy is indispensable in areas such as tackling climate change, as it is currently the largest single supplier of low-carbon electricity in EU and enables security of supply by ensuring independence from third countries. But nuclear technology is more than just a power supplier: it plays an indispensable role in the medical sector, particularly in terms of diagnosis and treatment of cancer (thus supporting Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan), as well as in industry, space, agriculture, etc. Nuclear is also a place of innovation for new digital applications (such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, IOT,..) as well as for operation and security of the European electrical grid together with variable renewables and storage. By developing innovative and cross-cutting applications, nuclear serves a wide range of domains which the EU is focusing on. FORATOM notes, within the action plan the following areas would benefit from a strategic assessment of all relevant sectors including the nuclear sector. • Supporting the identification of strategic value chains with a view to improve the resilience of existing industries (including SMEs) and the EU’s technological sovereignty • Supporting the identification of disruptive technologies through the promotion of start-ups and SMEs, thereby facilitating their access to EU programmes; • Reaching out to a broad range of industries and entrepreneurs to raise awareness for these synergies and cross-fertilisation; • Proposing new flagship initiatives. In particular, synergies between the nuclear sector and space industry should be assessed and suitable actions taken to enable cross fertilisation noting the following; There is a growing trend of international projects which recycle and reuse spent nuclear fuel into batteries that can be used to power space applications and sensors. For example, https://newatlas.com/diamonds-nuclear-batteries/46645 and https://www.upsbatterycenter.com/blog/nuclear-batteries-for-space-exploration/. Europe has a resource in this type of specific asset and it should be acknowledged in this respect. Additionally, the nuclear sector has a wealth of experience and infrastructure used for developing equipment such as electronic systems and sensors for operation in harsh environments and against the effects of radiation. This experience and supply chain should be considered in the EU strategy to support the growth in the space industry where there are clear parallels to be seen. Further details on nuclear applications within the space industry can be sought from: https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/transport/nuclear-reactors-for-space.aspx FORATOM recommends an expert group including representatives of the European nuclear industry and other appropriate stakeholders is established by the EC to fully explore the synergies and cross-fertilisation of the nuclear sector and the space industry.
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Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

21 Sept 2020

In FORATOM’s opinion, the evaluation and review of the Energy Efficiency Directive should take a closer look at how the Primary Energy Factors (PEF) were (re)assessed in 2016 and what the impact would be of changing the PEF for nuclear technologies. In the recent COM(2020) 562 final on “Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition” the analysis “indicates that aggregated final national plans would…while underachieving on the energy efficiency target by around 3 percentage points”. A reduction of primary energy consumption “to a range of 39.2%- 40.6%” as indicated in the impact assessment of the abovementioned communication, would definitely require a more pragmatic approach. While often seen as a technical detail, the PEF will have a profound impact on whether Europe’s future fuel of choice in the downstream sectors will be fossil fuel based or carbon-neutral (e.g. RES, nuclear). More specifically, under the EED the PEF determines whether, and to what extent, Member States are incentivised to save fossil fuels or electricity. Currently, the “conversion efficiencies are assumed to be 100 % for non-combustible renewables, 10 % for geothermal power stations and 33 % for nuclear power stations” as per the amended EED published in the December 2018 OJ, resulting in a PEF for nuclear of '3'. As a result, it encourages a reduction in low-carbon nuclear in order to achieve primary energy savings. Given that the sole purpose of the energy efficiency targets is to help achieve the goal of decarbonising the EU economy by 2050 - and with nuclear representing an important technology in terms of mitigating climate change - any policy which can have a negative impact on decarbonised technologies should be avoided. In this context, FORATOM strongly recommends that the Commission treats all low-carbon sources equally by using the same method, i.e. the direct equivalent method, and thus using by convention a PEF of ‘1’ for electricity produced by nuclear. In addition to the above statements, the role of nuclear shouldn’t be limited to power production, the nuclear reactors being capable of delivering heat for use in applications such as district heating, industrial processes, hydrogen production, chemicals refinement and even for seawater desalination. The current utilization or future potential use of nuclear heat is reflected in several Member States NECPs such as Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland. Therefore, it is imperative that any initiative on energy efficiency should fully recognise the role of nuclear (existing fleet and future reactors) cogeneration.
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Response to Commission Delegated Regulation on taxonomy-alignment of undertakings reporting non-financial information

31 Aug 2020

FORATOM welcomes the goal of this initative to align reporting under the NFRD to the taxonomy-related delegated acts. Nevertheless, we believe that the timeframe proposed for its implementation is unrealistic and shines a light on the potential discrimination between low-carbon power producing technologies. The Commission is due to finalise the first Taxonomy delegated act by the end of this year. At the same time it has mandated the JRC to conduct a scientific assessment of nuclear, making it clear that this assessment will not be ready in time for the aforementioned DA. Whilst the Commission has indicated that it ‘could’ review the delegated act in 2021 based on the outcome of the nuclear assessment, there are no guarantees. At the same time, the first part of this initiative will already be applicable as of 1 January 2022, meaning that it will most likely be based on the initial taxonomy DA. As a result, this could mean that – at least initially - the lowest carbon emitting utilities in Europe will be unfairly penalised if they have primarily achieved this goal thanks to nuclear power. Conversely, utilities which emit more CO2, but have a greater share of RES, could be considered as more sustainable – in spite of doing less to achieve the EU’s carbon neutrality goal. This is why FORATOM continues to insist that the assessment of the energy sector under the taxonomy – and this initiative - must be put on hold until the work on nuclear is complete. Failing to do so will lead to the unfair treatment of some of Europe’s lowest-carbon emitting utilities.
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Response to Achieving the European Education Area

14 Aug 2020

Society is facing significant challenges in terms of climate change, access to affordable energy, health and employment. All sectors have to work together to meet these challenges and to decarbonise the EU’s economy by 2050. The nuclear industry – which supports 1 million jobs in the EU – is a large part of the region’s industrial landscape. With its European based supply chain, the nuclear industry offers a wide range of jobs at different levels, all requiring specific competences. Furthermore, the high-value skills – 47% of total workforce is highly qualified, which the highest level in the energy sector – developed in the nuclear sector are multidisciplinary in nature and interchangeable between different areas of the industry. During the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe, the nuclear industry proved its resilience in times of crisis by continuing to provide Europeans, businesses and hospitals with a stable and secure supply of low-carbon electricity. In addition, nuclear also supported around 90 countries in controlling the increasing number of infections worldwide. Indeed, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) dispatched equipment to several countries to enable them to use a nuclear-derived technique to rapidly detect the coronavirus. Policymakers at both EU and Member State level should ensure that education systems match the needs of Europe’s industries. Therefore we recommend the following: • Promoting and rendering STEM subjects attractive to young people (particularly secondary schools) to ensure continued European technological leadership. • Developing and implementing policies which encourage young people to study and work in the nuclear field, by speaking more positively about the benefits which nuclear provides to society. • Implementing specific key performance indicators dedicated to Education & Training in the nuclear sector. • Basing policies on robust scientific facts. This means ensuring that all technologies are treated on an equal footing and that accurate information is provided on employment opportunities within the EU in relation to the different low-carbon sectors. • EU funds allocated to nuclear education and training should be increased. This will help ensure that the EU maintains its nuclear innovation leadership, by supporting a skilled workforce capable of both undertaking vital R&D as well as implementing innovative projects. Indeed, research reactors are key in developing skills and competences for the nuclear industry. • Apply a long-term approach to EU funded projects in the field of Education & Training. Whilst projects which run for only a limited time do have some short-term benefits, much more could be achieved if they were to continue for a longer period. This may also encourage coordination between overlapping projects, and reduce the current duplication. • Policymakers, educational systems and industry should work together to ensure generation transition and competence transfer, as well as to help the workforce adapt to new technologies (digitalisation, industry 4.0).
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Response to Environmental claims based on environmental footprint methods

14 Aug 2020

FORATOM welcomes the goal of ensuring that consumers receive accurate information about the environmental footprint of products and services available in the EU. In order to be credible, such assessments need to be science-based and applied in the same way. Furthermore they should take account the full life cycle of the product or service both within and outside the EU. In order to reduce the burden on companies, FORATOM believes that better alignment between the different labels and legislation would prove fruitful. By basing the assessment on the same set of science-based criteria it will also make it easier and more transparent for consumers. In FORATOM’s opinion, the following aspects should be taken into consideration in order to assess each product/service: • CO2 emissions • Air pollution • Raw material consumption (including rare earths and critical raw materials) • Land use and impact on biodiversity • Waste generation
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Response to Communication on the future of research and innovation and the European Research Area

3 Aug 2020

FORATOM welcomes the European Commission’s intention to publish a new communication on the future of Research and Innovation (R&I) and the European Research Area (ERA). R&I has a vital role to play in delivering the ambitious European Green Deal and within the current context of the COVID-19 recovery plan. The European nuclear sector remains committed to contributing significantly to both areas and much more. The European nuclear industry and its R&I community have a long history of providing excellence and benefit to European citizens. Nuclear energy is crucial in areas such as tackling climate change, as it is currently the largest single supplier of low-carbon electricity in EU and enables security of supply by ensuring independence from third countries. But nuclear technology is more than just a power supplier: it plays an indispensable role in the medical sector, particularly in terms of diagnosis and treatment of cancer (thus supporting Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan), as well as in industry, space, agriculture, etc. Nuclear is also a place of innovation for new digital applications (such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, IOT,...) as well as for operation and security of the European electrical grid together with other low carbon technologies. By developing innovative and cross-cutting applications, nuclear serves a wide range of R&I domains which the EU is focusing on (industrial process heat, hydrogen production, district heating and desalination potential). Therefore, FORATOM wishes to highlight several points for consideration within the development of the new ERA. We recommend the ERA should: - support a vibrant cross-cutting ecosystem of R&I within Europe, fostering links and partnerships between industry, academia, national programmes and public organisations. The ERA can bring together diverse stakeholders fostering innovation in key industrial sectors to boost Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy in key industries and technologies such as nuclear. To achieve this, a balance of basic science and sector driven R&I should be at the centre of the ERA. - cover all EU R&I programmes and develop synergies to bring out the most added value at European, regional and national level, supporting a dynamic education, training and mobility opportunities for scientists and engineers. For example, there is a great opportunity for the upcoming Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and Euratom R&D programmes to deliver synergies, such as within enabling technologies in digitalisation and advanced manufacturing to name only two. - promote visionary pan-EU R&I through cohesion between the ERA and the EU Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan, enabling shared benefits across R&I programmes at national and European level in collaboration with European Technology and Innovation Platforms (e.g. SNETP within the nuclear field). Effort should be directed into greater alignment of the SET Plan to establish cross cutting actions and innovation partnerships. E.g. promoting R&I between different low carbon sectors so they can successfully converge at areas where value can be added, such as nuclear energy (SET Plan Action 10) and hydrogen production. - encourage international collaboration and deliver further European contribution in international R&I opportunities. To name two examples: the GIF IV Forum to develop advanced innovative nuclear reactors, and Small Modular Reactors (SMR) PPP schemes to promote clean growth and innovation within Europe. Finally, included to this consultation is a FORATOM position paper with further analysis and policy recommendations for future R&I within Europe. A revitalised ERA can deliver several benefits in this respect.
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Response to Enhancement of European policy on critical infrastructure protection

3 Aug 2020

FORATOM response Nuclear energy as an essential element of Europe’s critical infrastructure The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of a robust and resilient energy system. Amid the pandemic, access to electricity has been essential for citizens, businesses, and hospitals. Throughout the crisis, the European nuclear industry has significantly contributed towards keeping Europe’s lights on by providing Europeans and industry with a stable and secure supply of low-carbon electricity where and when it’s needed. Throughout the most difficult weeks of the pandemic, the operation of all nuclear reactors continued without any impact on the supply of electricity. In fact, the European nuclear fleet is currently generating almost 1/3 of electricity in the European Union – among others thanks to nuclear energy’s capacity factor which is the highest of all available energy sources and the fact that nuclear reactors do not require continuous fuel supplies to operate. In response to the outbreak, nuclear operators all over Europe have implemented dedicated continuity plans and various preventive measures to protect the health of its workforce and ensure facilities’ safe and continuous operation. These actions have been carried out in close coordination with national regulators and authorities. At this stage, we can already state that the European nuclear industry passed this difficult test: • Nuclear power plants have shown strong resilience as they can still operate with limited staff. • Security of fuel supply remains high with significant upfront storage capacities. • Nuclear confirms its role as a dispatchable and reliable source of energy, even under very difficult conditions. As a result, the International Energy Agency has confirmed that nuclear power has provided an important source of power system flexibility in Europe, helping to maintain electricity security by operating in a load-following mode. FORATOM feedback FORATOM welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to better protect critical infrastructure from disruption by natural disasters and man-made threats, which in turn will contribute to securing the provision of essential services in the wake of disruption. Taking into account the benefits of nuclear energy proven during the COVID-19 pandemic the EC’s initiative should: • Recognise the role of nuclear energy as an important element of the EU’s critical infrastructure and by doing so – in line with the initiative’s goal – include its role in the critical infrastructure protection approach, • Emphasise the proven benefits of nuclear energy in the context of critical infrastructure while reviewing the implementation of the ECI Directive, • In line with the initiative’s goal of emphasising the role of resilience of critical infrastructure at European level, nuclear energy should be rewarded for its proven ability to operate without disruption even amid the crisis, • Ensure that the mentioned importance of maintaining a level-playing field – while working on improving the level of the European critical infrastructure – will also include treating all low-carbon technologies equally. • Provide adequate incentives for investment and development in low-carbon technologies, including nuclear energy, in order to boost the decarbonisation of Europe while ensuring the highest level of Europe’s security in line with the Commission’s initiative. Financing models for low-carbon infrastructure and strategic industries may be considered as a form of investment incentive under the EU recovery plan. • Recognise nuclear energy’s role during the recent pandemic while working on the ongoing study that will support the impact assessment process as well as include nuclear operators as the stakeholders which will be involved in the process of developing the Commission’s new approach. • Support innovation for low-carbon technologies which could help the EU achieve the highest level of security.
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Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)

22 Jul 2020 · Contribution of nuclear power to the European Green Deal, costs of nuclear power, waste disposal, financing and taxonomy.

Meeting with Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

10 Jul 2020 · Preparation of meeting with EVP Timmermans

Response to EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change

29 Jun 2020

The recent COVID19 pandemic has shown the importance of a robust and resilient energy system. Indeed, access to electricity has been essential for citizens, businesses, and hospitals. Throughout the crisis, the European nuclear industry, and its workforce, has significantly contributed towards keeping Europe’s lights on by providing Europeans and industry with a stable and secure supply of low-carbon electricity where and when it’s needed. As highlighted by the European Commission, climate change is likely to lead to a significant increase in adverse weather events, including more frequent storms, increased flooding and longer periods of draught. Therefore, it is essential that the European power system is resilient enough to withstand these more frequent events. Nuclear power has much to contribute in this respect not least because, as the EU’s largest source of low-carbon electricity, it enables climate change mitigation efforts. Nuclear power makes a significant contribution to climate change adaption by being more or less insensitive to changes in the weather and by being implementable regardless of the climate. A fundamental philosophy in designing, constructing and operating of nuclear power plants is the preparation for extremely unlikely external events such as severe weather events. Nuclear power plants are designed so that even if the weather becomes more extreme considerable safety margins will be maintained. When siting a new reactor its resistance to a changing climate and the associated weather events is part of the analysis on a very conservative basis. Nuclear power – apart from being prepared for different forms of severe weather – is the form of energy production least dependent on its surroundings. Nuclear power plants can be built in most parts of the world regardless of the climate. Furthermore, one of the challenges which Europe is likely to face in the future as a result of climate change is the reduced availability of drinking water. Nuclear electricity and thermal heat can be utilised for seawater desalination purposes and the IAEA believes this is a viable option to meet growing demand for drinking water. As indicated above, nuclear power has a clear role to play in enabling a resilient energy system, and this should be recognised in EU climate adaptation policy.
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Meeting with Kadri Simson (Commissioner) and

29 Jun 2020 · Role of nuclear in decarbonisation, energy security of supply, industrial competitiveness; taxonomy; ESI and hydrogen strategy; impact of covid-19 crisis on nuclear.

Response to A EU hydrogen strategy

8 Jun 2020

FORATOM welcomes the climate objectives of the European Green Deal, to transform Europe into the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. To achieve the targets, Europe must exploit the synergies enabled by low-carbon hydrogen that will power a climate neutral economy, guarantee a secure supply of affordable energy for consumers, and help the EU recover after the COVID-19 crisis. As Dr Fatih Birol states “Hydrogen is today enjoying unprecedented momentum. The world should not miss this unique chance to make hydrogen an important part of our clean and secure energy future.” In FORATOM’s opinion, it is essential that the EU adopt a technology neutral approach based on the impact of each technology on the CO2 emission reduction targets and leveraging all the mature low-carbon energy sources. We therefore urge the EU to acknowledge the important role that the nuclear energy sector will provide in this context. Whilst hydrogen is expected to play an important role, it is essential that the strategy takes into account the broad range of production options, keeping in mind its main purpose – decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors. Within EC’s ‘Clean Planet for all’, it states in the context of Power to X production - “become attractive in the context of abundant electricity generated from carbon-free sources (renewables and nuclear).” This approach is also mentioned by some Member States NECPs. Therefore, in FORATOM’s opinion the classification should be based on a detailed life-cycle assessment of the carbon intensity of the source used to produce hydrogen. In terms of the different hydrogen production processes, electrolysis can be considered technologically mature enough to provide an alternative to fossil fuel technologies (steam methane reforming – SMR). The IEA raises an important point in its 2019 report on ‘The future of hydrogen’: “Producing hydrogen through electrolysis and storing the hydrogen for later use could be one way to take advantage of this surplus electricity, but if surplus electricity is only available on an occasional basis it is unlikely to make sense to rely on it to keep costs down. Running the electrolyser at high full load hours and paying for the additional electricity can actually be cheaper than just relying on surplus electricity with low full load hours.” The above statement makes it clear that in order to decarbonise different industrial process at an affordable cost, electrolysers will need to run constantly on low-carbon electricity. With nuclear complementing variable renewables (wind and solar) in supplying power for low-carbon hydrogen production, this will ensure a quasi-baseload electrolyser which will trigger decreasing production costs. Another advantage would be that flexibility services requested by the network will no longer rely exclusively on dispatchable means, but partially on the production of low-carbon hydrogen helping to balance out the system with high share of renewables. The production of hydrogen from nuclear is not limited to electrolysis. Nuclear power plants could, for example, provide steam for natural gas-based steam methane reforming. Depending on local conditions, using steam from nuclear power could be cheaper than using steam from natural gas, as well as reducing the carbon intensity of the hydrogen produced. Electricity and heat (produced at temperature levels of around 300°C from nuclear power plants) could also be used to provide electricity and steam for Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) electrolysis. Small modular and advanced nuclear reactors could also play a role in SOEC electrolysis in the future. FORATOM encourages use of the term low-carbon hydrogen as stated in the roadmap and believes that this category should not be limited to a transition phase, as the power system is expected to continue to rely on nuclear beyond 2050. More information can be found in the attached paper.
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Response to Strategy for smart sector integration

8 Jun 2020

FORATOM welcomes the climate objectives of the European Green Deal, in particular, transforming Europe into the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Europe must exploit the synergies enabled by an integrated clean energy system that will power a climate neutral economy, guarantee a secure supply of affordable energy for consumers, and help the EU recover after the COVID-19 crisis. In FORATOM’s opinion, it is essential that the EU adopt a technology neutral approach based on the impact of each technology on the CO2 emission reduction targets and leveraging all the mature low-carbon energy sources. We therefore urge the EU to acknowledge the important role that the nuclear energy sector will provide in this context. Electrification should be the main driver for a future integrated energy system. Expected to be fully decarbonised well before 2050, the power system can help other sectors in achieving the GHG reduction targets. The cross-sectorial approach of debarbonisation will also provide benefits in terms of electricity grid flexibility and an optimised use of finance and resources. In its ‘A Clean Planet for all’ communication, the European Commission confirmed that nuclear will form the backbone of a carbon-free European power system, together with renewables. As a result, it is clear that any sector coupling initiative involving low-carbon electricity must include nuclear. The role of nuclear cannot be limited only to power production and should be broadened to take into consideration the potential of heat production. Nuclear reactors are capable of delivering heat for use in applications such as district heating, industrial processes, hydrogen production, chemicals refinement and even for seawater desalination. The current utilization or future potential use of nuclear heat is reflected in several Member States NECPs such as Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland. Therefore, it is imperative the European strategy for an integrated energy smart system fully recognise the role of nuclear heat. Thanks to a wide range of clean energy solutions, nuclear is capable of supporting several of the EU´s manufacturing industries by providing hydrogen and synthetic fuels. All of this can be provided by the existing fleet of nuclear reactors and from new innovative and advanced reactors. The nuclear industry is also developing new types of innovative technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) that can generate electricity, process heat and ancillary services for power grids which will become increasingly reliant on variable renewable generation and a variety of energy storage systems. Their reduced size and modularity mean that they are ideally suited to industrial complexes, thus facilitating energy system integration and avoiding unnecessary transport connection costs. In addition, lower upfront costs and shorter construction times will make them easier to deploy compared to large nuclear power plants. Flexibility offers one of the biggest areas of potential in terms of energy and cost efficiency. Dispatchable nuclear energy can provide flexible operation, based on energy demand. This can complement the times when intermittent renewable energy sources are not available. One of the main opportunities of the smart sector integration is represented by hydrogen. Whilst hydrogen should play an important role, it is essential that the strategy takes into account the broad range of production options, keeping in mind its main purpose – decarbonisation of the energy sector. Therefore, in FORATOM’s opinion the classification should be based on a detailed life-cycle assessment of the carbon intensity of the source used to produce hydrogen. FORATOM encourages use of the term low-carbon hydrogen as stated in the roadmap and believes that this category should not be limited to a transition phase, as the power system is expected to continue to rely on nuclear beyond 2050. More info in the attached document.
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Response to Climate Law

30 Apr 2020

FORATOM fully supports the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality objective and considers the development of a law which complements the existing policy framework and established clear objectives as essential. An intensive stakeholder consultation process relating to the EU 2050 climate objectives already took place in 2018, in which FORATOM participated. The results of the consultations were included in the ‘A Clean Planet for all’ communication which outlines the Commission’s strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy by 2050 and have confirmed that nuclear will form the backbone of a carbon-free European power system, together with renewables. Relying on the outcomes of the above-mentioned communication, the law should not only recognise nuclear as a low-carbon source of electricity, but also clearly continue to acknowledge that nuclear is capable of reducing Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel imports and ensuring security of supply. We fully agree that, in linking existing policy instruments with the 2030 perspective, the Commission should assess and put forward proposals which aim to increase the Union’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 to ensure its consistency with the 2050 climate-neutrality objective. Having said that, we remain convinced that the intermediate decarbonisation targets in the transition towards 2050 cannot be achieved without the long-term operation (LTO) of existing nuclear reactors (see FORATOM response to 2030 Climate Target plan roadmap consultation). In supporting the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality objective, the nuclear industry will strive to: - Deliver the required volume of nuclear capacity on time and at a competitive cost - Undertake research, development and innovation activities in Europe to identify areas where the nuclear industry can help decarbonise other sectors - Contribute to ensuring security of energy supply - Continue to manage used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in a responsible manner - Invest in and maintain human capital - Build a strong European foundation to export nuclear technologies and skills to overseas markets. The industry furthermore recommends that the EU: - Agree an ambitious net-zero CO2 emissions target for the EU in 2050 - Ensure a coherent, consistent and stable EU policy framework (including for Euratom) - Implement an investment framework that incentivizes investments in all competitive, low carbon options - Support a stable low carbon energy mix which can accommodate the increased share of renewable energy generation - Develop and implement a strong industrial strategy to ensure that Europe maintains its technological leadership - Support human competences. More info can be found in the attached #NuclearEuropeLeaders manifesto
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Response to 2030 Climate Target Plan

13 Apr 2020

FORATOM welcomes the goal of increasing the EU 2030 energy and climate targets, provided that the decision is taken on the basis of a rigorous impact assessment which considers all low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear. In our opinion, it is clear that unless the EU sets ambitious 2030 targets, it will be almost impossible to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. We remain convinced that the intermediate decarbonisation targets in the transition towards 2050 cannot be achieved without the Long-Term Operation (LTO) of existing nuclear reactors. In fact, if the EU were to invest in maintaining a fully operational nuclear fleet over this period, 58% of its electricity would come from low-carbon sources by 2030 – making it the global leader on climate change policy. If not, the share would drop to 38%, increasing the cumulative emissions by around 1,500 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 (more info can be found in the attached position paper) and this, despite the significant investments efforts in renewables and energy efficiency that the EU is committed to make. Meeting the EU’s ambition to decarbonize its economy will require the use of all low-carbon sources, and the LTO of the existing nuclear fleet will have a significant impact on this transition. Indeed, LTO offers numerous benefits: it is unarguably more economically advantageous than other power sources; it requires a much lower capital investment cost, leading to low investment risks for investors and capital markets, and lower con¬sumer costs. Likewise, from a technical point of view, the LTO of nuclear reactors provides a great advantage thanks to the “…timely implementation of reasonably practicable safety improvements to existing nuclear installations” which brings older generation reactors to a level of nuclear safety standards in compliance with the amended Nuclear Safety Directive. LTO also reduces the EU’s energy import dependency – mainly fossil fuels – and provides reliability to the grid. Furthermore, low-carbon nuclear generation provides firm capacity to the electricity system. On this point, it should be borne in mind that the lack of commercial maturity of storage technologies might lead to a fossil fuel power plant lock-in effect if the pace of phasing out dispatchable carbon intensive technologies is not properly taken into consideration. Last but not least, LTO helps the industry maintain and upgrade the competences of operators and suppliers, which will allow it to prepare for the future renewal of the fleet. In order to ensure that Europe can make the most of the benefits offered by the LTO of existing nuclear reactors, FORATOM has put forward the following policy recommendations: • Ensure a coherent, consistent and stable EU policy framework (including Euratom). • Continue to implement the necessary measures to reach the ambitious net-zero CO2 emissions target for the EU in 2050, as endorsed by the Council in December 2019. • Develop and implement a strong industrial strategy to ensure that Europe maintains its technological leadership. • Support human competences development.
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

8 Apr 2020

FORATOM has taken note of the conclusions of the Technical Experts Group on the taxonomy. Regarding the Climate Mitigation aspect, we welcome the TEG’s recognition that nuclear has near to zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, we do feel it necessary to clarify that this applies to the entire nuclear life-cycle, and not just the energy generation phase as the TEG indicates. The greenhouse gas emissions from the lifecycle of nuclear power are very low (12 grammes CO2 eq/kWh), as recognised in the IPCC 2014 report. Indeed, nuclear power plants have a long lifespan (60+ years) compared to some other technologies. Furthermore, nuclear can be used to generate low-carbon hydrogen. Together with low-carbon electricity, this will help decarbonise other sectors such as industry and transport. With regards to the threshold to determine whether or not a sector meets the climate mitigation criteria, FORATOM supports the proposed level of 100gCO2e/kWh (declining to net-0gCO2e/kWh by 2050), based on a full life cycle emissions (LCE) assessment. Nevertheless, it is our opinion that all power producing technologies should be treated equally. In the report, the TEG recommends that certain renewable technologies be exempt from having to conduct an LCE assessment. We do not believe that such an exemption is justified for only some technologies. In our view either all low carbon technologies are exempt from having to conduct such an assessment, or none of them are. Regarding the Climate Adaptation aspect, we do not feel that the TEG has taken into account the benefits afforded by nuclear. One of the challenges which Europe is likely to face in the future as a result of climate change is the reduced availability of drinking water. Nuclear electricity and thermal heat can be utilised for seawater desalination purposes and the IAEA believes this is a viable option to meet growing demand for drinking water. Whilst this consultation covers only the Delegated Act relating to the Climate Mitigation and Climate Adaptation aspects of the taxonomy, FORATOM nevertheless finds it necessary to state its opinion in relation to the Do No Significant Harm criteria. This initiative should not aim to exclude a particular technology without providing a valid justification. In order to identify whether an energy source is sustainable or not, it is important to evaluate each source on the basis of objective criteria (including CO2 emissions, air pollution, raw material consumption and land use impacts) and using a whole life-cycle approach. Furthermore, we believe that more attention should be given to the social and economic aspects of sustainability. Access to scalable, firm and low-carbon energy is vital for citizens, businesses, industry and, at the same time, reaching the climate goals. Therefore, it is essential that all the criteria used to define whether a technology is sustainable or not should be applied in the same way to ALL power producing technologies equally to ensure a level playing field. In the case of nuclear, for example, the DNSH group have focused on the issue of waste and used it as an excuse not to include this low-carbon technology in the taxonomy. For other technologies, however, the waste criteria do not appear to have been applied in the same way (eg power producing technologies which generate toxic waste at the end of their useful life). Whilst we recognise that the Commission has organised various stakeholder consultations on the Taxonomy, we would like to draw attention to the fact that, as recognised by the TEG, a group of experts with an in-depth knowledge of the nuclear life-cycle needs to be established to tackle this matter. In our view it is essential that the Commission continues to maintain an open and transparent dialogue with FORATOM – as the voice of the nuclear industry – on this matter and so we call for the opportunity to continue contributing to the debate.
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Response to Access to Justice in Environmental matters

3 Apr 2020

EU environmental law – better access to justice FORATOM response to the Public Consultation FORATOM welcomes the opportunity to participate in the European Commission’s Roadmap [Ares (2020)1406501] and to contribute to the discussions on better access to justice in environmental matters. FORATOM wishes therefore to state the following observations: 1. Given that the Aarhus Regulation limits administrative review to administrative acts of individual scope having legally binding effects, the inclusion of non-legislative regulatory acts (which some may have general scope – see Joined Cases C-622/16P to C-624/16P, Montessori) may alter the EU judicial remedy system enshrined in articles 263 (4) TFEU. 2. From a strict equal treatment point of view, the fact that the Aarhus Regulation would grant a new legal standing only to NGOs complying with criteria enshrined in article 11, thus indirectly excluding business trade association, may result in a privileged access for environmental NGOs to the detriment of other interested parties. Also, the revision’s intention is to extend the time for the procedural steps for NGOs and the EU Institutions which may lead in an unnecessary delay in the implementation of projects that have gone through all required procedures as defined by the Regulation and that have been granted permits to proceed. Likewise, FORATOM would like to seek clarification on the second proposal for “the targeted revision of the Aarhus Regulation with amendments to specify that the administrative acts and omissions covered by the internal review mechanism are those that contravene provisions of environmental law in line with the Aarhus Convention”. FORATOM looks forward to the EC’s Proposal and would like to remain an active contributor to the Aarhus Convention discussions and related EU Regulation.
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Response to Revision of the Energy Tax Directive

1 Apr 2020

FORATOM welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to review the Energy Taxation Directive for a better alignment with EU’s climate neutrality goals and bring consistency between taxation and other climate policy measures (such as the Emission Trading System as well as the Renewables Directive and Energy Efficiency Directive). The revised Energy Taxation Directive should: • Provide adequate incentives for investment and development in low-carbon technologies in order to boost the decarbonisation of sectors such as transport and building. • Strengthen the competitiveness of the European industry. • Support innovation for low-carbon technologies. • Provide equal treatment between technologies following the principle of technology neutrality. The European Commission in its “Clean Planet for All” package confirmed that nuclear will form the backbone of a carbon-free European power system, together with renewables. Indeed, not only is nuclear a low-carbon source of electricity, it is also affordable and provide half of low carbon electricity in EU. The new Energy taxation framework must ensure that taxation on the consumption of energy products and electricity encourages the uptake of low-carbon technologies (Renewable energy, Nuclear power), which are essential for decarbonising the transport and building sectors. At the same time, the new taxation framework must guarantee affordable access to low-carbon energy for the competitiveness of the European industry and for all European citizens.
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Meeting with Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

27 Mar 2020 · Nuclear energy in Europe

Response to Fast-track interservice consultation on the 'SEIP including a JTM and the JTF"

11 Mar 2020

FORATOM welcomes the EU’s goal of providing financial support to coal-dependent regions in order to assist them in their decarbonisation efforts. Indeed, the transition to a low-carbon economy should not come at the detriment to society. Therefore, we fully support EU funds being earmarked to help people transition from jobs in carbon-intensive sectors into low-carbon industries. That being said, FORATOM regrets the European Commission’s proposal to exclude such funds being used for nuclear power plants. Both the IPCC (Global Warming of 1.5°C, 2018) and the IEA (Nuclear Power in a Clean Energy System, 2019) have made it very clear that decarbonisation goals cannot be achieved without nuclear energy. Without forgetting the European Commission’s A Clean Planet for All communication (November 2018) which confirms that nuclear will form the backbone of a carbon-free European power system in 2050, together with renewables. At the end of last year, several Member States made it clear that in order to commit to the 2050 decarbonisation targets then they must be allowed to invest in nuclear power. Expecting them to reduce their GHG emissions, whilst at the same time preventing them from investing in specific low-carbon technologies such as nuclear, would indeed be counter-productive. The benefits of transitioning workers from the coal into the nuclear industry have already been demonstrated in both France and the UK. FORATOM therefore finds it hard to understand why the European Commission would automatically ban Member States from using Just Transition funds for the construction of low-carbon nuclear power plants. Particularly given the benefits which the nuclear sector provides in terms of jobs and growth in Europe. According to a study by Deloitte (Economic and Social Impact Report, 2019 - can be found on FORATOM's website - position papers) the European nuclear industry currently sustains more than 1.1 million jobs in the EU and generates more than half a trillion euros in GDP. Looking ahead to 2050, the authors believe that, on average, the industry would support more than 1.3 million jobs annually and generate €576 billion per year in GDP. This shows that nuclear offers benefits both in terms of decarbonising the power sector and providing European citizens with much needed jobs. At the end of the day, the EU should be focusing on helping people in these regions to transition into low-carbon industries. Limiting the low-carbon sectors which will be eligible for such funds will make achieving our low-carbon targets without leaving anyone behind a lot more difficult – if not impossible.
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Response to Climate Law

30 Jan 2020

FORATOM welcomes the European Commission’s goal of becoming more ambitious in reducing its CO2 emissions whilst at the same time ensuring that no EU citizen is left behind in the transition. If the EU is to achieve its zero-carbon target in 2050, then its current 2030 CO2 reduction targets may not be enough. We therefore support the Commission’s goal of raising this target, so long as it preserves Member States’ right to choose their own low-carbon energy mix. Expecting them to reduce their GHG emissions, whilst at the same time preventing them from investing in specific low-carbon technologies such as nuclear, would be counter-productive. Indeed, both the IPCC (“Global Warming of 1.5°C”) and the IEA (“Nuclear Power in a Clean Energy System”) have made it very clear that decarbonisation goals cannot be achieved without nuclear energy. The European Commission itself, in its “A Clean Planet for all” communication, also confirmed that nuclear will form the backbone of a carbon-free European power system, together with renewables. According to an FTI-CL Energy Consulting study commissioned by FORATOM, “Pathways to 2050: role of nuclear in a low-carbon Europe”, if Europe is serious about decarbonising its economy by 2050 then one quarter of the electricity produced in the EU will need to come from nuclear. This will ensure that citizens and industry have access to the low-carbon electricity they need – when they need it – and it will help to reduce the economic burden of the transition to a low-carbon economy on consumers. In addition to a high nuclear scenario, whereby 25% of EU’s electricity comes from nuclear (150GW of installed capacity), the study considers two other scenarios for 2050: low (36GW, 4% share of the electricity mix) and medium (103GW, 15% share). The authors also assessed the European nuclear sector’s contribution to several key energy policy objectives, namely security of supply, sustainability, affordability and competitiveness. The results showed that the scenario which provides the most benefits in 2050 is the ‘high’ one. Indeed, not only is nuclear key in providing the baseload electricity which other industries depend on at a reasonable cost, it is also an important European industry in itself. This point has been highlighted in a study by Deloitte – commissioned by FORATOM and entitled “Economic & Social Impact Report’ – which shows that each GW of installed nuclear capacity in the EU: • triggers €9.3 billion in annual investments both in the nuclear and connected economic sectors. • provides permanent and local employment to just under 10,000 people • generates €4.3 Bn in EU GDP. We therefore insist that the European Climate law supports the principle of technology neutrality and ensures a level playing field for all low carbon technologies. Attempts to prevent Member States from investing in low carbon technologies such as nuclear will only hamper the EU’s willingness to decarbonise its economy. Indeed, as pointed out by several Member States, if they are to stick to the agreed 2050 zero carbon target, then they must be free to choose the low carbon technologies which will help them achieve this goal.
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Meeting with Ditte Juul-Joergensen (Director-General Energy)

17 Dec 2019 · Nuclear energy

Meeting with Dominique Ristori (Director-General Energy)

22 May 2019 · Les évolutions du secteur nucléaire dans le contexte de la décarbonisation

Response to Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions

9 Aug 2018

In order to make sure that the “Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions” fulfils the European Union’s decarbonisation goals and is in line with the Paris Agreement, FORATOM wants to emphasise the important role nuclear energy plays as a low-carbon, both flexible and baseload source of power capable of addressing the EU’s long-term climate and energy objectives. That is why, FORATOM recommends that: 1. Actions on market design (i.e. long term arrangements) are needed to restore confidence among potential investors in power generation projects of all types, but in particular for large scale capital intensive low-carbon generation projects. 2. The EU ETS should be the main instrument of decarbonisation and any potential uncoordinated overlappings of national and EU policies that can have an adverse effect on reaching a robust carbon price should be avoided. 3. The importance of nuclear power and its role in achieving climate goals while providing security of supply at reasonable cost should be recognised and promoted. Indeed, a cost effective transition requires a share of dispatchable nuclear generation that remain significant while the share of variable generation increases. 4. All low-carbon energy sources (which irrefutably include nuclear energy) should be treated on equal footing and market rewarded for the benefits they bring to the system. In the framework on the current debate on sustainable finance, a clearly and specifically defined Level 1 regulation for sustainable investments has to focus on the climate impact and provide technologically neutral criteria. 5. Cutting CO2 emissions while maintaining an economically sustainable system should be recognised as the ultimate goal of the strategy. Particular energy technology targets shouldn’t be imposed as such policies retard all other technology development, resulting in least efficient use of capital and thereby creating unintended high cost and/or lack of carbon reductions at the expense of EU climate goals. Background The role of nuclear in decarbonisation pathways for Europe:  The formal ratification of the Paris Agreement by the European Union on 5 October 2016 reaffirmed the commitment to decarbonise its economy while going beyond what was originally pledged – 80-95% GHG emission reduction by 2050 (European Council, October 2009).  A series of energy roadmaps and scenario studies from the European Commission and other international organisations have shown that embarking on such ambitious decarbonisation pathways would require a growing role of electricity from 20% of the European final energy consumption in 2015 to more than 40% by 2050. The total electricity demand for the whole EU economy would grow from about 3000 TWh in 2020 to more than 5000 TWh in 2050 resulting from downward trends due to energy efficiency improvement of the economy on one side and some significant electrification in transport and heating on the other side.  In this context, FORATOM sees an important role of nuclear power as a sustainable low-carbon, flexible and baseload source of power to address the expected electricity demand growth. FORATOM foresees the need to increase the total installed capacity from approximately 120 GW today (126 reactors in operation) to around 130-145 GW by 2050.  Only in the efficient deployment of available and future technology will the EU be able to comply with the Paris agreement while ensuring reliability of the energy system. Nuclear power is an essential part of the solution being fully available today, providing security and predictability in sustainable and competitive manner.
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Meeting with Vladimir Sucha (Director-General Joint Research Centre)

27 Feb 2018 · First meeting of the newly appointed Director-General of FORATOM to review cooperation so far including recently organised joint events. It was agreed that cooperation is beneficial for both organisations and should continue in the future, preferably in a more structured way.

Meeting with Dominique Ristori (Director-General Energy)

11 Oct 2017 · Energy policy

Meeting with Miguel Arias Cañete (Commissioner)

25 Feb 2016 · The role of nuclear in the energy transition

Meeting with Gonzalo De Mendoza Asensi (Cabinet of Vice-President Miguel Arias Cañete)

10 Nov 2015 · PINC communication