Press release

#NuclearEuropeLeaders call for industry and policymakers to work together for a prosperous and carbon-free Europe

Jun 26, 2019

Bucharest, 26 June 2019: Senior representatives* from across the nuclear supply chain have today outlined what they believe needs to be done in order to achieve a decarbonised Europe by 2050, whilst at the same time maintaining growth and jobs. In their joint manifesto they call upon EU policymakers to work with them to overcome the hurdles which have the potential to prevent Europe from achieving its goals.

“We very much welcome this initiative taken by the CEO’s and Chief Nuclear Officers from the nuclear industry, particularly with the arrival of a new European Commission and European Parliament this year”, says Yves Desbazeille, FORATOM Director General. “Achieving a carbon-free Europe by 2050 is a very ambitious target and it is important that we make the best use of all decarbonization tools already available today. Nuclear energy is internationally recognized as a crucial asset in the fight against climate change and we, as an industry, stand ready to play our part”.

Meeting the EU’s ambition to decarbonize its economy will require significant investment in all low-carbon technologies.   This means investing in Europe in both the long-term operation of the existing nuclear fleet and the construction of substantial new nuclear capacity (around 100GW of nuclear new build). Both are achievable if EU institutions, Member States and the European nuclear industry work together in partnership. 

In this respect, the nuclear industry will strive to:

  • Deliver the required volume of nuclear capacity on time and at a competitive cost
  • Undertake research, development and innovation activities in Europe to identify areas where the nuclear industry can help decarbonise other sectors
  • Contribute to ensuring security of energy supply
  • Continue to manage used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in a responsible manner
  • Invest in and maintain human capital
  • Build a strong European foundation to export nuclear technologies and skills to overseas markets.

At the same time, it recommends that the EU:

  • Agree an ambitious net-zero CO2 emissions target for the EU in 2050
  • Ensure a coherent, consistent and stable EU policy framework (including for Euratom)
  • Implement an investment framework that incentivizes investments in all competitive, low carbon options
  • Support a stable low carbon energy mix which can accommodate the increased share of renewable energy generation
  • Develop and implement a strong industrial strategy to ensure that Europe maintains its technological leadership
  • Support human competences.

#NuclearEuropeLeaders manifesto can be found here.

*Companies which signed the manifesto: Ansaldo Nucleare, CEA, CEZ Group, EDF, EDF Energy, EnergoAtom, Engie Electrabel, Fennovoima, Fortum, Framatome, Kozloduy NPP, MVM Group, Nuclear Industry Association, National Nuclear Laboratory, Nuclearelectrica, Orano, swissnuclear, Synatom, Tecnatom, TVO, Uniper Sweden, Urenco, Vattenfall, Westinghouse.

About us: The European Atomic Forum (FORATOM) is the Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear energy industry in Europe. The membership of FORATOM is made up of 15 national nuclear associations. FORATOM represents nearly 3,000 European companies working in the industry, which supports around 1,100,000 jobs in the European Union.

For more information, please contact Jessica Johnson: jessica.johnson@foratom.org.

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