Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform
SNETP
The purpose of the Association is to constitute a Research, Development and Innovation (R&D&I) network/platform to support and promote safe, reliable and efficient operation of the civil nuclear systems by facilitating the co-operation among its members. Thereby, the Association shall provide to the nuclear community, through collaborative projects and international cooperation, a scientific and technical basis to develop R&D&I strategies, to support the implementation and deployment of innovative and sustainable solutions including those for innovative reactor and fuel cycle concepts as well as for the use of civil nuclear for electricity generation and beyond. The Association shall mobilise industries, academia, research centres, Technical Support Organisations (TSOs), Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and others stakeholders within the European Union (EU) to work in partnership.
ID: 671767225420-82
Lobbying Activity
Response to Future development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe
4 Dec 2025
SNETP welcomes the European Commissions public consultation on the development and deployment of SMRs in Europe. As an ETIP for nuclear energy and a member of the secretariat and of the governing board of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, we are perfectly aligned with its mission to establish Europe as a global leader in these innovative technologies. Please find our feedback in attachment
Read full responseResponse to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness
12 Nov 2025
Please find attached the response from SNETP
Read full responseResponse to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness
7 Nov 2025
Please find attached the response from SNETP
Read full responseResponse to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness
7 Nov 2025
Please find attached the response from SNETP
Read full responseResponse to European Innovation Act
30 Sept 2025
The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the European Innovation Act (EIA) consultation. We wish to highlight specific challenges and needs of our SMEs and start-ups, some closely aligned with the objectives of the EIA, and others of broader relevance: Challenges & needs SMEs and start-ups implementing innovation with their own resources require clearer guidance on tax credits and other benefits. Talent acquisition: Recruiting high-quality staff with leadership and creativity remains a significant challenge. SME access to EU innovation instruments: SMEs operating in regulated and complex sectors, such as energy, nuclear, and industrial infrastructure, need better guidance to access innovation funds and partnerships. Collaboration hurdles: Innovation programmes are often easier to implement when pursued by a single company rather than mandatory consortia, as is typically required in EU projects. SMEs would benefit from simpler, more flexible participation options. High-CAPEX innovation challenges: Nuclear and other capital-intensive sectors face scale-up and investment constraints that require tailored financial instruments and regulatory agility tools. Potential ways to support SMEs and start-ups Flexible funding approaches: Introducing options for higher EU funding rates for SMEs in high-risk, high-capex innovation projects would help overcome difficulties in securing co-funding. Partial EU funding often limits SME participation. SME integration in large projects: The European Commission could encourage large institutions and companies to actively involve SMEs and start-ups in EU-supported R&I projects Rationale Implementing these measures would reduce administrative and financial barriers for SMEs, strengthen Europes innovation ecosystem, and ensure that SMEs can contribute effectively to strategic, high-value R&I initiatives, enhancing industrial competitiveness in critical sectors. SNETP thanks the European Commission for considering these points and remains at your disposal to provide further input or clarification
Read full responseResponse to European Research Area (ERA) Act
10 Sept 2025
As a European association dedicated to research and development in nuclear fission, as well as being a European Technology & Innovation Platform (ETIP), SNETP supports the European Commission's initiative to consult on the European Research Area Act (ERA Act). As the European Unions commitment to energy transition is one of its major objectives, SNETP believes it is important that research on this topic remains one of the priorities of this act. The ERA Act must guarantee that strategic low-carbon energy technologies, such as advanced nuclear systems and existing nuclear systems, are explicitly considered in the EUs research and innovation priorities. SNETP complete response is in the attached file.
Read full responseResponse to Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act
8 Jul 2025
SNETP, as the European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP) dedicated to nuclear research and innovation, welcomes the European Commission's initiative to accelerate the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries through the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. This approach is essential for achieving our climate neutrality objectives while maintaining the EUs industrial competitiveness. SNETP feedback can be read in the attached document.
Read full responseResponse to European strategy on research and technology infrastructures
22 May 2025
SNETP, as the European stakeholder platform dedicated to nuclear fission research and innovation and ETIP, welcomes the European Commission's initiative to strengthen the research and technology (R&I) infrastructure ecosystem. The SNETP's reply on this consultation can be consulted in the attached document.
Read full responseResponse to Nuclear Illustrative Programme
12 May 2025
SNETP expresses its gratitude to the European Commission for the opportunity to respond to this call for evidence regarding the Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC). We are honored to contribute to this important initiative. Please find our contribution attached.
Read full responseMeeting with Adam Jarubas (Member of the European Parliament) and Związek Przedsiębiorców i Pracodawców
18 Mar 2025 · Energy security as a pillar of the security of states and the European Union: The role of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in strengthening the energy security of the European Union
Response to EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy
16 Mar 2025
The position of SNETP is expressed in the attached document
Read full responseResponse to Delegated act on primarily used components under the Net-Zero Industry Act
20 Feb 2025
SNETP is providing feedback on the European Commission's draft delegated act on primarily used components under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). SNETP emphasizes the importance of nuclear energy in the EU's energy mix, highlighting its significant contribution to low-carbon electricity generation and its potential for further decarbonization in the sectors power and heat. Nuclear industry requires specialized radiation-resistant materials and components, increasingly for higher temperatures and corrosive environments, for instance in the primary circuit, power conversion systems, and for instrumentation & control systems. Nuclear fuel cycle technologies have been included in NZIA as strategic. New techniques using artificial intelligence, digitalization and robotics are emerging, enabling significant savings in construction and operation. The smaller size of SMR/AMR provides an opportunity for the supply chain to manufacture more continuously, with high cost efficiency and quality, and benefit from replication effects. The logistics of transporting large components for conventional nuclear power plants have always posed a challenge, but will decrease in importance with SMR/AMR. Modularization is a key element in the reduction of site construction time and achievement of quality standards. AMR often operate at higher temperatures than LW-SMR, an attractive feature for deep decarbonization in industry. Additionally, it stresses the importance of establishing regulatory sandboxes to promote innovation and accelerate SMR/AMR deployment. This document outlines the need for R&D and qualification in these key areas to support safe and efficient operation of the existing reactor fleet and accelerated development and deployment of SMR/AMR as nuclear energys contribution to a net-zero economy.
Read full responseResponse to List of net-zero technology final products and their main specific components
20 Feb 2025
SNETP is providing feedback on the Net-Zero Industry Act list of net-zero technology final products and their main specific components. SNETP emphasizes the importance of nuclear energy in the EU's energy mix, highlighting its significant contribution to low-carbon electricity generation and its potential for further decarbonization in the sectors power and heat. Nuclear industry requires specialized radiation-resistant materials and components, increasingly for higher temperatures and corrosive environments, for instance in the primary circuit, power conversion systems, and for instrumentation & control systems. Nuclear fuel cycle technologies have been included in NZIA as strategic. New techniques using artificial intelligence, digitalization and robotics are emerging, enabling significant savings in construction and operation. The smaller size of SMR/AMR provides an opportunity for the supply chain to manufacture more continuously, with high cost efficiency and quality, and benefit from replication effects. The logistics of transporting large components for conventional nuclear power plants have always posed a challenge, but will decrease in importance with SMR/AMR. Modularization is a key element in the reduction of site construction time and achievement of quality standards. AMR often operate at higher temperatures than LW-SMR, an attractive feature for deep decarbonization in industry. Additionally, it stresses the importance of establishing regulatory sandboxes to promote innovation and accelerate SMR/AMR deployment. This document outlines the need for R&D and qualification in these key areas to support safe and efficient operation of the existing reactor fleet and accelerated development and deployment of SMR/AMR as nuclear energys contribution to a net-zero economy.
Read full responseResponse to Implementing Act for guidelines on strategic projects
20 Feb 2025
SNETP is providing feedback on the Net-Zero Industry Act guidelines on strategic projects (implementing act). SNETP emphasizes the importance of nuclear energy in the EU's energy mix, highlighting its significant contribution to low-carbon electricity generation and its potential for further decarbonization in the sectors power and heat. Nuclear industry requires specialized radiation-resistant materials and components, increasingly for higher temperatures and corrosive environments, for instance in the primary circuit, power conversion systems, and for instrumentation & control systems. Nuclear fuel cycle technologies have been included in NZIA as strategic. New techniques using artificial intelligence, digitalization and robotics are emerging, enabling significant savings in construction and operation. The smaller size of SMR/AMR provides an opportunity for the supply chain to manufacture more continuously, with high cost efficiency and quality, and benefit from replication effects. The logistics of transporting large components for conventional nuclear power plants have always posed a challenge, but will decrease in importance with SMR/AMR. Modularization is a key element in the reduction of site construction time and achievement of quality standards. AMR often operate at higher temperatures than LW-SMR, an attractive feature for deep decarbonization in industry. Additionally, it stresses the importance of establishing regulatory sandboxes to promote innovation and accelerate SMR/AMR deployment. This document outlines the need for R&D and qualification in these key areas to support safe and efficient operation of the existing reactor fleet and accelerated development and deployment of SMR/AMR as nuclear energys contribution to a net-zero economy.
Read full responseResponse to Interim evaluation of the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2021-2025
24 May 2024
The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) was established in September 2007 as a R&D&I platform to support and promote the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Generation II, III and IV civil nuclear systems. Since May 2019, SNETP has been operating as an international non-profit association (INPA) under the Belgian law pursuing a networking and scientific goals. It is recognized as a European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP) by the European Commission. The international membership base of the platform includes more than 120 organizations from 25 countries including industrial actors, research and development organizations, academia, technical and safety organizations, SMEs as well as non-governmental bodies. More than 90% of SNETP members were involved in at least one project co-financed by the Euratom program 2021-2025. The Euratom R&T programme is the Europe's only source of funding for nuclear energy. SNETP welcomes the efforts made by the Commission and DG RTD, but would like to see these efforts reinforced by a substantial budget to allow meeting Europe's climate ambitions. SNETP supports the work done by the Euratom R&T programme over the past years in regards to skills and competencies more specifically with the creation of ENEN++. SNETP also welcomes the support over the past Euratom R&T program on nuclear research infrastructures via OFFERR project. To gain more insight into the Euratom program, in 2023, the association organized a coordination hub meeting to discuss with the Euratom project coordinators. This meeting was the opportunity to share experiences and feedback of the project coordinators from the writing phase to the submission and the implementation of the project. It was concluded that: - the project consortia were created thanks to the network created and animated by SNETP; - due to the complexity of the process, consultancies to support the management of projects on the administrative, legal and financial side of things are essential - all coordinators indicated that they exclusively apply for Euratom funding and struggle to target non-Euratom funding. In addition, every year during its annual forums SNETP promotes Euratom funded projects by giving them the opportunity to present their project, some coordinators are invited to speak during a technical session and some of them are also interviewed. One of the objectives of SNETP is to extend the dissemination of nuclear collaborative projects to other sectors. Few opportunities were given to a certain number of EURATOM projects to be presented, such as at the ENLIT annual conference 2023, or the SETPLAN annual conferences. And, it was also the occasion to grasp the difficulties that the EURATOM projects are experiencing to spread their knowledge and results to the non-nuclear ecosystem. While the nuclear sector is still suffering from gender inequality, SNETP has put particular emphasis on gender issues by promoting as much as possible women in nuclear. In 2023, SNETP signed a collaborative agreement with Women in Nuclear global. The objective is to give WiN Global privileged access to the SNETP expertise and know-how to bridge the gap in the sector. The nuclear sector is also suffering from its low-innovative image, therefore SNETP made a great effort in supporting startups by offering them dedicated space. SNETP was the sponsor of the startup village during the WNE2023 in Paris, where selected startups were invited to join the event for free and host a booth. SNETP also set up a call (named Booster call) to support startups for submitting proposals to EC calls. This call was schemed following needs mentioned during a meeting gathering the start-ups that are member of the association. SNETP gave the opportunity to its startups to present their work and their path during the Innovation workshop organized by Innovation for Nuclear (I4N) in May, 2024. SNETP pays a particular attention to the young generation, by
Read full responseResponse to Communication on revamping the SET Plan
1 Nov 2022
Nuclear energy as a low-carbon energy source shall be part of any energy mix to tackle climate change and does not cause significant harm as the other industries included in the Taxonomy Regulation. Nuclear energy can substantially contribute to EU decarbonization ambitions to achieve goals of carbon neutrality of the economy by 2050. It can ensure an even bigger role in energy security than today, and can rely on a high level of technology sovereignty To make the SET Plan fit for the new challenges, we recommend to pay special attention and support to the following areas and actions dealing with the nuclear energy utilization for power and heat generation for industry, district heating and transport within the frame of the SET Plan: Facilitate deployment of large nuclear reactors to support electrification using state-of-the-art light water technologies which include advanced safety features based on proven technologies by reasonable simplification and acceleration of licensing and permitting processes. Harmonize licensing of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) technologies for deployment in EC countries willing to do so, with the aim to help to not only decarbonize the power systems but also the large market for non-electricity application. Ensure regulators and TSOs are attractive employers and equip them with sufficient resources to ascertain capacity and competence availability for fluid application processes. Support utilization of nuclear energy for non-electric applications, especially delivery of industrial process heat including for large-scale production of low-carbon hydrogen, hydrogen products, district heating/cooling and seawater desalination. Maintain and strengthen the existing European know-how, skills, and nuclear technology infrastructure to establish European industrial leadership in nuclear energy sector. Corroborate European industrial leadership and technology sovereignty in the nuclear energy sector, especially in innovative nuclear technologies. Reinvigorate all elements of the nuclear supply chain including manufacturing of large components. In particular, increase conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication capacities available in Europe for nuclear power plants. Enable advanced SMRs and fuel cycle facilities to minimize nuclear waste. Identify and utilize suitable funds for accelerating demonstration and deployment of innovative nuclear energy technologies.
Read full responseResponse to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy
17 Dec 2020
The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Platform (SNETP) is an international non-profit association (AISBL) under Belgian law supporting and promoting the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Generation II, III and IV civil nuclear systems in line with the objectives of the EU-SET-Plan. With its 120 members from industry, Research centers, academia, SMEs, SNETP aims to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration to facilitate innovation in nuclear and to support the maintenance and enhancement of skills and qualifications to address the key challenges facing the sector.
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 flexible, low-carbon electricity in EU and enables continuous 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, block chain, 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 R&I domains which the EU is focusing on.
The delegated act on taxonomy mentions the work in progress on nuclear energy but does not limit it in time. From a legal point of view, isolating nuclear power from other energies would violate the principle of equal treatment, the principle of technological neutrality and competition law by distorting competition between low-carbon technologies. The economic impact of any unilateral delay for nuclear power would be significant for the entire nuclear sector including Research and Innovation projects, generating significant financial damage and distortions of competition because of a ratchet effect due to the absence of nuclear power in the initial allocation of portfolios by financial actors.
It is essential to take the necessary time to review these delegated acts so that the evaluation of the whole energy block is completed. Nuclear power should be included in the sustainable finance scheme by considering all energy sources according to equal principles and sustainability criteria for nuclear power should be created accordingly. The decision on inclusion of nuclear should be based on scientific assessment and technological neutrality.
In addition, the taxonomy should not pre-empt future innovations or technologies. R&D should be an integral part for all eligible activities- including the civil nuclear sector-in order to make Europe fit for future and incentivize much needed European innovation. The exclusion for transition and enabling activities introduced in the draft delegated act (section 9.1) should therefore be removed.
There is evidence that the Taxonomy will be used to select projects to benefit from EU funding. SNETP therefore asks the Commission to adapt the Delegated Acts to ensure that nuclear projects are explicitly included for potential financial support, on the same footing as other very low carbon sources of energy, aiming for less than 50 gr CO2/KWh. This would be coherent with the promotional dimension of the Euratom Treaty, supportive to Member States wanting to rely on nuclear energy as per the Art 194 of the Lisbon Treaty. It would also comply with the recommendation of the International Energy Agency In-Depth Energy Review of the EU, published in June 2020, asking to have better coherence between EU energy policy documents (ia the EU energy backbones of the 2018 Clean Planet for All) and the implementing tools (ia Financing Instruments).
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