A strong European industry needs a stable supply of low-carbon energy

Brussels, 5 May 2021: FORATOM welcomes the updated 2020 Industrial Strategy published today by the European Commission, in particular its focus on innovation, competition and Europe’s potential to lead the green transition.  The European nuclear sector has a key role to play in this respect.  First of all, because it provides a stable and secure supply of low-carbon electricity. Secondly because it has a strong European industrial base, with a significant EU supply chain.  

“European industries are going to need a constant supply of affordable low-carbon energy if they are to meet the decarbonisation targets and remain competitive”, states Yves Desbazeille, FORATOM Director General. “Nuclear has a key role to play in this respect because it can provide industries with affordable low-carbon energy 24/7.” 

Nuclear is able to ensure security of supply because it is not dependent on imports of scarce raw materials. Only a very small quantity of uranium is required to produce a significant volume of energy: one uranium fuel pellet can produce as much energy as 3 barrels of oil, 1 tonne of coal or 500 cubic meters of gas. In addition, energy from nuclear is low-carbon unlike these fossil fuels, and thus helps in the fight against climate change. In addition, the European nuclear industry has access to multiple sources of uranium and is not sensitive to price variations.

“The nuclear industry ensures the strategic autonomy of the EU”, adds Mr Desbazeille. “Not only does it reduce the EU’s dependence on energy imports, it also provides much more than just power.”

Thanks to nuclear technologies, EU based industries will have access to low-carbon electricity, heat and hydrogen. Furthermore, as nuclear is not weather dependent, these energy sources are available on demand which is key for industries that operate continuously.  Including nuclear in the energy mix, together with variable renewables, will help the EU maintain its strategic autonomy, and this needs to be recognised by policymakers.

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 and through these associations, FORATOM represents nearly 3,000 European companies working in the industry and supporting around 1,100,000 jobs.

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