Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Energie Nucléaire
GIFEN
Le Groupement des Industriels Français de l’Energie Nucléaire est le syndicat professionnel de la filière nucléaire française qui regroupe les exploitants des Installations Nucléaires de Base (INB), les grandes entreprises, les ETI, PME, micro-entreprises et associations qui couvrent tous les types d’activités industrielles et tous les domaines du nucléaire civil.
ID: 117423440302-21
Lobbying Activity
Response to Future development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe
4 Dec 2025
Full reply hereby attached and below our main feedback: 1. SMRs/AMRs as a Complement to Power Reactors: Usage, Full Fuel Cycle, and Harmonized Safety The French Nuclear Industry Association (GIFEN) supports the EUs push to develop Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) as strategic complements to large power reactors. SMRs/AMRs target niche applications: decarbonized electricity for isolated/medium grids, industrial heat, urban heating, low-carbon hydrogen, and grid flexibilityareas still reliant on fossil fuels. Key Requirements: Full fuel cycle approach: secure European supply of LEU+/HALEU, adapt supply chains for advanced fuels (MOX, TRISO, molten salts), and establish clear spent fuel recycling pathways to minimize waste and recover valuable materials. Harmonized safety standards: Align national regulations, develop shared technical guides, and promote mutual recognition for fuels, transport, and reactor cores. This reduces costs and accelerates deployment, in line with the EUs 2025 Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC) and the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs Strategic Action Plan (2025-2029). 2. European Technological Sovereignty: Supply Chains and Skills GIFEN stresses the need to prioritize European technologies and supply chains to ensure sovereignty and global competitiveness. Europes strengths (complete nuclear ecosystems, fuel cycle technologies expertise, and cutting-edge R&D) must be leveraged through: Targeted financing for European-designed SMRs/AMRs, aligned with the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). Industrial Alliance structuring: Pool resources for modular factories, qualification platforms, and component standardization. Domestic demand stimulation: Create a stable market for European SMR/AMR systems, justifying large-scale investments in production and supply chain localization. Skills development: Invest in mobility, mutual qualification recognition, and training programs to build a skilled workforce. This ensures resilience, IP control, and economic benefits, enabling Europe to compete with the U.S. and China. 3. Speed: Aligning Means with Ambition To match global competitors, Europe must accelerate deployment by: Streamlining licensing: Establish target schedules, and synchronized procedures for environmental, nuclear, and industrial permits, while maintaining stringent safety requirements. Industrialization support: Fund modular factories, digital platforms, and supply chain investments to achieve serial production and cost efficiency. Local engagement: Foster social acceptance through transparent dialogue and tangible benefits (lower energy bills, carbon reduction). Timeline alignment: Ensure fuel cycle capacities (upstream/downstream) match SMR/AMR rollout to avoid supply-demand mismatches. The EUs selection of nine SMR projects for 2030s deployment and the Alliances Strategic Action Plan are steps forward, but swift, large-scale actioncomparable to U.S. and Chinese effortsis critical to meet 2050 climate goals and avoid technological lag. Conclusion: Three Pillars for Leadership 1. Complementarity: SMRs/AMRs + power reactors + full fuel cycle = flexible, decarbonized energy. 2. Sovereignty: European technologies, supply chains, and skills = strategic autonomy. 3. Speed: Align funding, regulation, and industrialization to deploy demonstrators by 2030 and series production by the mid-2030s. GIFEN urges the EU to prioritize European projects, set clear 2030 milestones, and mobilize tools like the NZIA, EIB, and Euratom R&T. With its strong industrial base, France and its partners are ready to lead, but investment decisions must be triggered now to compete globally.
Read full responseMeeting with Christophe Grudler (Member of the European Parliament) and Fortum Oyj and
6 Nov 2025 · Politique énergétique européenne
Response to List of net-zero technology final products and their main specific components
20 Feb 2025
The French Nuclear Industry Association (GIFEN) supports the European Commission's initiative under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) to accelerate the deployment of key technologies essential for the EUs climate objectives. Recognizing nuclear energy as a strategic technology is a crucial step toward strengthening industrial competitiveness and achieving decarbonization goals of Europe. However, GIFEN highlights the need for improvements to ensure the full inclusion of critical nuclear components. GIFEN recommends expanding the list of "primarily used components" for nuclear fission energy and refining the classification of nuclear fuel cycle technologies. Additionally, it calls for a clearer distinction for nuclear fusion technologies and the inclusion of essential elements in the annexes evaluating net-zero technologies and supply chains. The annex shall also include additional reactor types. Please find attached to this summary the comprehensive, updated list of strategic components for the nuclear industry. Beyond these technical adjustments, GIFEN emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair treatment of nuclear energy in comparison to other low-carbon technologies. It calls for regulatory consistency across EU policies and stresses the need for nuclear energy to benefit from financial mechanisms under the Clean Industry Deal. Furthermore, GIFEN insists on upholding the principle of technological neutrality to guarantee an equitable approach to all decarbonization solutions.
Read full responseResponse to Greenhouse gas emissions savings methodology for low-carbon fuels
24 Oct 2024
GIFEN welcomes the European Commissions initiative on the methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emission savings for low-carbon fuels (LCF) and low-carbon hydrogen. However, it calls for fair treatment of nuclear energy to maintain technological neutrality and criticizes the postponement of the study on low-carbon electricity sourcing from nuclear power until 2028. GIFEN advocates for the immediate integration of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) into the methodology. It warns against legal uncertainties that could hinder ongoing projects, especially regarding the calculation of electricity emissions. Additionally, GIFEN urges more accurate consideration of emissions related to equipment production and the carbon intensity of French electricity. Finally, it recommends removing the possibility of additional criteria from DG COMP to avoid legal barriers.
Read full responseMeeting with Christophe Grudler (Member of the European Parliament)
16 Oct 2024 · Politique énergétique européenne - Nucléaire
Response to Interim evaluation of the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2021-2025
23 May 2024
Euratom programme is a strategic tool to contribute to the European competitiveness and energy sovereignty. GIFEN, the French nuclear industry association, and its partner, the French University of Nuclear Skills (UMN), welcome the consultation initiated for the extension of the Euratom research and training programme for 2026-2027. Recognizing the programme's role in maintaining nuclear safety standards and Europe's nuclear skills, GIFEN and UMN advocate for its expansion to bolster Europe's leadership in carbon neutrality. The Euratom programme is urged to prioritize innovations in nuclear safety, lifespan extension of existing nuclear power plants (NPPs), and digitalization to align with the European Green Deal objectives. Additionally, there's a call to clarify funding for non-electric uses of nuclear energy, such as heat and hydrogen production. The European Small Modular Reactor (SMR) industrial alliance requires research support, with funding to be distributed between Horizon Europe and Euratom budgets. Furthermore, a focus on human resources development is emphasized. Drawing from the French presidency's report entitled For a European dynamic of skills in the nuclear field, efforts should prioritize workforce mobility, training resources including knowledge management and foster mentorship programmes within the nuclear sector. Initiatives include promoting nuclear industry attractiveness, expanding recruitment pools, enhancing technical training and consolidating training resources, adapting academic content, supporting apprenticeships, and fostering mentorship programmes. Key recommendations include: 1/ Financial Resources: reassessing financial resources proportional to other low-carbon technologies: the European Commission shall increase funding for Euratom, aligning it proportionally with other low-carbon technologies and Europe's future energy infrastructure needs. 2/ Scope of innovative projects: the European Commission shall broaden the scope of supported projects and enhance the competitiveness of the European nuclear industry. - Lifespan Extension of NPPs: The importance of financial support for safety standards related to the lifespan extension of existing nuclear power plants (NPPs) is stressed. - Support for SMRs: the European Small Modular Reactor (SMR) alliance requires research support, organised in synergy between Horizon Europe and Euratom. - Enhancing digital transformation within the nuclear sector: highlighting the importance of digitalization, the European Commission shall support the nuclear industry's digital transition to align with EUs objectives. - Non-Electric Uses of Nuclear Energy: clarification and funding allocation for non-electric uses like heat and hydrogen production are recommended. 3/ Human resources development: the European Commission shall boost its support to maintaining skills and knowledge in the nuclear field. - Drawing from the French presidency of the EU 's report published in June 2022 and entitled For a European dynamic of skills in the nuclear field, efforts should prioritize workforce mobility, training resources including knowledge management and foster mentorship programmes within the nuclear sector. - Seven Pillars of Human Resource Development: the European Commission shall support measures to boost attractiveness, expand recruitment pools, enhance technical training, adapt course content, support apprenticeships, consolidate training resources, and foster mentorship programmes. In conclusion, GIFEN and UMN advocate for a substantial increase in the Euratom programme budget to align with other low-carbon technologies. They stress the importance of Euratom's role in supporting Europe's large-scale industrial programme, contributing to climate objectives, and ensuring energy sovereignty. The proposed enhancements aim to bolster Europe's nuclear capabilities and competitiveness in the global transition to carbon neutrality.
Read full responseResponse to Mid-term evaluation of the ERDF, the CF and the JTF 2021-2027
9 Oct 2023
GIFEN members welcome the mid-term evaluation of the European funds set in 2021 as part of the 2019 Green Deal which has the ambition of carbon neutrality of Europe by 2050. Since the launch of this program, the European Commission has taken further steps to boost sustainable investments. Action to counter climate change implies a radical change in industrial systems. And nuclear solutions support the decarbonization of intensive European end-users in parallel of the development of renewables. Year after year, the European Commission has widened the field of low carbon, reliable, safe, and competitive solutions in order to make sure that Europe will reach its objective. GIFEN members highlight today not to exclude anymore nuclear into the scope covered by the three funds and to cover any size of businesses. GIFEN members highlight the importance to support all available low carbon solutions. Whereas the first ambition of the European Commission was to support the development of renewables, Europe cannot afford anymore to put aside technologies which contribute effectively to its global ambition. Europe cannot avoid energy that reduces dependence on fossil fuels, helps address the climate crisis, strengthens global energy security while providing baseload energy and grid flexibility. GIFEN members encourage the European Commission to classify nuclear energy, as appropriate, with all other low emission energy sources in any European funding considering that it is one of the low emissions sources of power generation that can contribute substantially to climate change mitigation. In line with the ambition of the European funds, GIFEN members stimulate the local economy at every level. This sovereign industry provides jobs and growth where they are settled and in particular, they contribute to the overall objective of strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union. Manufacturers supplying the nuclear value chain are mostly small and medium size businesses. The nuclear industry has always boosted remote territories where they are established, and businesses of any size need today all the European Commission support to encourage the development of their activities. Theses SMEs and any size of businesses within the nuclear industry need financial support for their significant long-term investment program. GIFEN members pledge for a level playing field for nuclear business. Europe needs to build on a level playing field for any technologies which will contribute to its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050. The nuclear industry needs a level playing field within the common market to compete on the international stage. As mentioned by the European nuclear alliances roadmap presented by 14 Member states at the European Commission last July 11th, 2023, in Valladolid (Spain), GIFEN members encourage the European Commission to review all investment fund rules to include nuclear where it is currently excluded. All technologies aligned with the European taxonomy should be eligible in all EUs investment funds such as the Modernization Fund, the Innovation Fund, the Just Transition Fund, the InvestEU Fund, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cohesion Fund (CF) etc. Nuclear projects should be able to access loans from financial institutions, such as the EIB or the EBRD. Interviewed by the European Parliament last October 04th 2023, Mr. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, Vice -president leading the Commissions work on the European Green Deal declared: to fulfill, the climate neutrality ambition and to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030, all energy sources that reduce emissions substantially can be useful including nuclear and bioenergy depending on the situation of each Member States. For all these reasons, GIFEN members therefore appeal for the update of the three funds consequently by including any nuclear activities of any size of businesses.
Read full responseResponse to Net Zero Industry Act
5 Jun 2023
The NZIA regulation as proposed by the Commission sets a scale of values for the net zero technologies and thus runs counter to the founding principle of technology neutrality. In view of the climate issue, the GIFEN would like to reiterate that nuclear energy is the leading low-carbon energy source in the European Union and represents about 25% of electricity production. It therefore makes a major contribution to the Unions climate objectives and its strategic importance is undeniable. The European Nuclear Alliance recently estimated that nuclear energy could provide up to 150 GW of electricity [by 2050], via the continued safe operation of existing facilities, the construction of 30 to 45 new large reactors and the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) within the EU. This would contribute to a surplus of 92 billion euros to Europes GDP. It would also mean over 300,000 direct and indirect new jobs by 2050, 200,000 of them skilled, and 450,000 recruitments by 2050. The expertise they represent in each activity of the nuclear industry is the basis for the development of new innovative low-carbon technologies in the nuclear sector. Furthermore, the Euratom Treaty states that the European Union has a task to contribute, by creating the conditions necessary for the speedy establishment and growth of nuclear industries (Article 1). To accomplish its task, the European Community must in particular facilitate investment and ensure, particularly by encouraging ventures on the part of undertakings, the establishment of the basic installations necessary for the development of nuclear energy in the Community (Article 2). The inclusion of nuclear energy in the NZIA should therefore be a logical consequence of applying the Euratom Treaty. The European Commission is the guarantor of compliance with the European Lisbon and Euratom Treaties: so the industry serving nuclear energy must not be discriminated from the other industries necessary to meet the European climate objectives. The technology neutrality must be scrupulously respected by the European Union, including in the NZIA regulation. The list of strategic technologies must therefore be extended to all low-carbon technologies, including nuclear energy. Since the technologies which the NZIA text refers to (i.e. SMR, GEN IV, fusion) have not yet reached a sufficient technology readiness level to be considered as strategic, the nuclear industry cannot benefit from all the provisions included in the draft regulation. The GIFEN asks that the nuclear industry, both current and under deployment (i.e. GEN II, GEN III, fuel cycle, and the industrys applications for industry decarbonization by producing and storing heat or the high-capacity production of low-carbon hydrogen particularly before 2030; in medical treatments; and in research for the entire industrial base working on decarbonization) be fully included in the NZIA, both in the body of the text and in the list of strategic technologies in the appendix. Each of its activities needs support for its innovations. To compete with the world leading countries, the European Union must ensure its sovereignty by supporting all the strategic technologies for decarbonization. The GIFEN asks that all nuclear technologies be included in the list of strategic technologies. It would strengthen Europes capacity to innovate and its industrial performance. Lastly, the nuclear industry does not contribute only to the resilience of the electricity supply but also to the development of many applications unrelated to electricity. For instance, the European nuclear sector also helps to strengthen the very necessary security of supply for radioisotopes, particularly for medical use. The NZIA was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen as the European Unions response to the American Inflation Reduction Act. The GIFEN therefore calls on the co-legislators to include fully all the nuclear technologies in the proposed regulation.
Read full responseResponse to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy
17 Dec 2020
Le GIFEN a pris note du projet de règlement délégué présenté par la Commission Européenne et transmet ses préoccupations quant aux ambiguïtés qui transparaissent :
• Le document stipule : « Afin de garantir des conditions de concurrence équitables, les mêmes activités économiques devraient être soumises aux mêmes critères techniques de sélection ». Or ce n'est pas le cas. Le seuil d'émissions GES sur le cycle de vie fixé à 100 gCO2e/kWh n’est pas, par exemple, imposé pour l’éolien ou le solaire, tandis qu’il l’est pour l’hydroélectricité. De même, concernant les impacts relatifs à l'eau et aux milieux marins, l'éolien offshore doit être conforme à la directive 2008/56/CE. Pour l'hydroélectricité, les exigences sont beaucoup plus strictes. Il n’est pas non plus tenu compte de la dépendance de l’éolien et du solaire vis-à-vis de métaux rares dont la production impacte lourdement l’environnement (pollution des nappes phréatiques, pollution de l’air, transport etc.).
• Par ailleurs, la prise en compte des applications industrielles issues de la R&D ne doit pas être négligée comme c’est le cas actuellement. En effet, cet Acte Délégué écarte certaines technologies promues par l’Europe telle que la Fusion ou encore la production d’hydrogène bas-carbone. Les exigences concernant cette dernière sont telles que le seuil maximal d’émission de 2,256 kgCO2e/kgH2 exclut même le photovoltaïque. L’ensemble des sources d’électricité bas carbone devraient également être éligibles à des garanties d’origine, comme le sont aujourd’hui les énergies renouvelables, afin de pouvoir les flécher et produire grâce à elles de l’hydrogène bas carbone.
Ces nombreuses différences de traitement faussent le marché et nuisent à la clarté de la classification. Pour y remédier, les industriels du GIFEN proposent d’évaluer l’intensité carbone en prenant compte le cycle de vie complet des équipements.
• La proposition présentée risque de fausser le marché et de créer une situation de concurrence déloyale pour certaines entreprises. A date, toutes les technologies du secteur énergétique n’ont pas encore été évaluées et ne sont donc pas prises en compte dans l’Acte Délégué. Les industriels du GIFEN regrettent de ne pas disposer, à ce jour, des conclusions du groupe d’experts du JRC sur le critère DNSH vis-à-vis du nucléaire. L’attente de ce rapport repousse la prise en compte de cette technologie dans l’Acte Délégué en cours de consultation.
• De fait, cet Acte Délégué donne à certaines technologies un accès instantané aux fonds et instruments financiers de l'UE alignés sur les objectifs de la Taxonomie, excluant par là-même certaines technologies bas-carbone.
• Au-delà de la distorsion de concurrence créée, cet Acte Délégué ne respecte pas le principe de neutralité technologique rappelé à l’Article 19 du Règlement du 18 juin 2020 sur la Taxonomie. Ce principe affirme que l’utilisation d’une technologie ne doit pas se faire au détriment d’une autre et permet à chaque Etat-membre de décider de son mix énergétique. Dans ces conditions, la classification envisagée va à l’encontre de ses fondamentaux. Ce système donne l’impression d’un « choix à la carte » plutôt qu’une évaluation scientifique. Nous recommandons la révision du système de classification suivant des critères objectifs. Pour un même domaine économique, les critères techniques de sélection ne doivent pas être adaptés à chaque technologie : toutes les technologies doivent être soumises aux mêmes critères.
Aux vues de ces ambiguïtés, les industriels du GIFEN souhaitent que la parution de cet Acte Délégué soit reportée jusqu’à ce que l’évaluation de toutes les technologies du secteur énergétique soit complète. Dès lors, l’Acte Délégué devra être guidé par deux exigences :
• Favoriser les meilleures solutions envisageables existantes pour l’environnement en évaluant l’intensité carbone du cycle de vie complet d’un équipement ;
• Garantir des conditions de concurrence équitables pour ces technologies.
Read full response