Energy sovereignty key to industrial competitiveness
Brussels, 3 February 2025: Today, nucleareurope has issued a position paper highlighting its recommendations for the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal. The paper calls on policymakers to ensure technology neutrality and a level playing field between all net zero energy technologies, including nuclear and renewables.
“As indicated in the Competitiveness Compass issued by the European Commission on 29 January 2025, Europe must act now to regain its competitiveness and secure its prosperity. Access to affordable net zero energy will be key in this respect ” highlights nucleareurope Director General, Yves Desbazeille. “In 2024, nuclear was the primary source of electricity production in the EU accounting for around a quarter of total electricity generation and nearly half of all the low-carbon electricity produced. This demonstrates that it is a significant asset for the entire European electricity system, contributing to security of supply, energy sovereignty and industrial competitiveness ” he adds.
As highlighted in the paper, the challenge is massive. Europe needs 24/7 access to clean and affordable energy sources. Therefore, the contribution of all net-zero technologies is essential. In addition to reducing dependence on energy imports, the focus should be on producing as much net zero energy as possible in Europe to meet the urgent increase in electricity demand (due to, for example, the AI revolution), whilst at the same time pushing for rapid electrification of energy intensive industries
The paper therefore calls for:
- A significant increase in electrification
- Ramping up of the nuclear supply chain
- Cost efficient balancing of the electricity system
- Encouraging the production of clean hydrogen in Europe
- Enabling sufficient financing
- Tackling the current skills shortage.
The paper also draws attention to the fact that the European nuclear sector is strong and represents one of very few energy technologies where the EU can be less reliant on third countries, be largely self-sufficient and even globally dominant. As such it is important that the value of nuclear is recognised and that it is included throughout the legislative framework.
Click here to download the position paper.
About us: nucleareurope is the Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear energy industry in Europe.
The membership of nucleareurope is made up of 15 national nuclear associations and through these associations, nucleareurope represents nearly 3,000 European companies working in the industry and supporting around 1,100,000 jobs.
More information:
- Jessica Johnson, Communications and Advocacy Director: jessica.johnson@nucleareurope.eu
