European countries supporting nuclear power highlight its role in the green transition

European countries that support nuclear energy stressed yesterday that it is essential to Europe’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The European Union is divided on the issue. This year, divisions deepened in a debate over whether nuclear energy should count towards the bloc’s climate targets for 2050. Europe has around 100 gigawatts (GW) of installed nuclear capacity, which generates roughly a quarter of the EU’s electricity.

Tensions have recently also flared between France, Spain and Germany over whether planned energy infrastructure projects should support nuclear power. Germany, Europe’s largest economy and its biggest energy consumer, shut down its last nuclear reactors last month.

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, representatives of 14 EU countries, Italy as an observer and the UK as a guest attended the meeting in Paris. Czechia was represented by Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela.

Representatives of 16 countries called on Brussels to give greater support to nuclear energy through its energy policies. Brussels has previously said on several occasions that only certain advanced nuclear technologies will receive EU incentives for green industry.