nucleareurope highlights key role of nuclear for meeting EU climate, energy, and industrial targets

On 1 October 2024, nucleareurope Director General Yves Desbazeille participated in a panel discussion on the role of nuclear energy in meeting the 2040 EU climate, energy, and industrial targets, in the framework of the 17th European Nuclear Energy Forum.

The European Nuclear Energy Forum has been supported by nucleareurope since its first iteration in 2007, and provides a broad platform for discussions on major nuclear energy related topics.

The event, held this year in Prague, gathered key European lawmakers, industrial representatives, regulators and civil society to discuss the growing importance of nuclear in the EU energy system, and the role it will continue to have in providing a secure supply of clean energy during and after the energy transition.

In his intervention, Yves noted the crucial importance of the nuclear industry for European competitiveness, security of supply, and energy affordability. He insisted on the potential for further nuclear development in Europe, highlighting the central role that nuclear will play in supporting the EU to reach decarbonisation targets.

“More nuclear means a faster transition to net-zero at lower cost” stressed Yves, recalling the Nuclear Alliance objective of reaching 150GW of installed nuclear capacity by 2050. He added that all nuclear technologies will be needed, including long-term operation of existing power plants, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and new large nuclear power plants.

Yves concluded his intervention by insisting on the need to address bottlenecks on questions of skills and supply chain, and to maintain continued support for nuclear research.