The EU Commission expects that nuclear power will complement renewable energy sources until renewables become the backbone of electricity generation in the EU, probably in 2050. Investments are necessary for this, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday in Brussels. This is important so that nuclear energy can make a significant contribution to the climate neutrality goal. In addition, nuclear power could strengthen energy security by reducing the need to import fossil fuels and help stabilize electricity prices.
Advertisement
A nuclear energy summit is currently underway in Brussels, to which the Belgian government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have invited. On the occasion, von der Leyen pointed out that there are different views on nuclear power in the EU. In countries that are open to this technology, it could play an important role in the transition to clean energy. As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis, many countries have also changed their view of nuclear power.
“In most net zero scenarios, nuclear energy plays a role,” said von der Leyen. She referred to the International Energy Agency's energy scenario for 2050, according to which nuclear power capacity could more than double by then. Predictions from the EU Commission showed something similar.
Uncertain future of nuclear power
However, the future of nuclear power remains uncertain, explained the Commission President. In most countries their market share is declining. In Europe, nuclear power is still at the forefront with a share of 22 percent of electricity supply, but this share is well below the level of the 1990s.
In order for nuclear power to make a significant contribution to achieving climate neutrality, the public sector must ensure that “financial resources are available and that nuclear energy's contribution to security of supply is appropriately recognized and remunerated,” said von der Leyen. The future of nuclear power also depends on the industry sticking to time and cost limits, i.e. exercising discipline, as the President put it. “Far too often, the construction of new nuclear power plants was associated with significant additional costs and delays.” In addition to producing electricity, nuclear power can also be used to produce and provide heat or hydrogen.
“We also need to talk about extending the operating times of existing nuclear power plants, provided of course that their operation is safe,” demanded von der Leyen. Longer running times are one of the cheapest ways to reliably produce clean energy on a large scale. Given the “urgency of the climate challenge,” all countries must carefully consider their options “before foregoing a readily available source of low-emission electricity.”
Small modular reactors
Von der Leyen described small modular reactors (SMRs) as a promising technical innovation, even if there were ups and downs in their development – as with the new technology. “There are already more than 80 projects worldwide and some of our Member States have expressed a strong interest in these reactors.”
Recommended editorial content
With your consent, an external survey (Opinary GmbH) will be loaded here.
Always load surveys
The “Nuclear Energy Summit” is the first summit to be held at this political level. Around 35 countries around the world take part. Co-organizer IAEA emphasizes the importance of nuclear power with reference to the fact that nuclear power was included in low-emission technologies for the first time at the most recent world climate conference in Dubai in December 2023. At COP28, around 20 countries agreed to ensure that nuclear power would be tripled worldwide.
(anw)