The EU's reduction in the share of nuclear power was a strategic mistake for Europe, according to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
- In 1990, a third of Europe's electricity came from nuclear power, today it is only close to 15 percent. This reduction in the share of nuclear power was a choice, and in retrospect it was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable and affordable source of low-carbon energy, she says.
The announcement comes during a nuclear summit in France on Tuesday. Here, the Commission President says that the war in the Middle East has highlighted Europe's vulnerable energy market and dependence on fossil fuels.
According to von der Leyen, the EU Commission is therefore proposing a new European strategy for small modular reactors (SMRs), which should be operational in Europe no later than the 2030s.
According to the Technical University of Denmark, SMRs are smaller, factory-built nuclear power reactors that, according to the developers, will be more economical and have better safety than traditional reactors.
According to von der Leyen, SMRs, together with traditional nuclear reactors, will play a key role in a "flexible, safe and efficient" European energy system. It should also make the EU less dependent on imported fossil fuels.
The Commission is proposing various measures to ensure the roll-out of SMRs, including making the rules in this area simple and uniform across borders.
In addition, the EU will set up a guarantee of 200 million euros to support investments in innovative nuclear technologies. According to von der Leyen, the money for the investments will come from the EU's emissions trading system. The scheme sets a ceiling on how much CO2 companies can emit and also makes it possible to trade CO2 quotas.
- The nuclear power race is clearly underway, and we know that Europe has everything it needs to take the lead, says von der Leyen at the nuclear summit.
/ritzau/
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