Nuclear energy included in EU's repowering plan
May 26, 2022

Nuclear energy included in EU's repowering plan

The European Commission has formally adopted the REPowerEU Plan, with the goal of a rapid reduction of dependence from the European Union (EU) on Russian fossil fuels. The plan recognises that nuclear power will have a role to play in ensuring the security of EU energy supply.

The REPowerEU Plan recognises that nuclear power will have a role in ensuring the security of EU energy supply

In March 2022, EU leaders agreed to phase out Europe's dependency on Russian energy imports as soon as possible, and asked Commission to put forward a detailed plan.

This plan is based on the EU's Fit for 55 package of proposals for climate neutrality, and presents an additional set of actions to save energy, diversify supplies, quickly substitute fossil fuels by accelerating Europe's clean energy transition and combine investments and reforms.

REPowerEU actions include accelerating Europe's clean energy transition

"The REPowerEU plan cannot work without a fast implementation of all Fit for 55 proposals and higher targets for renewables and energy efficiency," said the Commission in its presentation. In the "new reality", the role of gas as a transitional fuel will be more limited as the EU's gas consumption will reduce at a faster pace than previously envisaged.

Hydrogen will be key to replace natural gas, coal and oil in hard-to-decarbonise industries and transport, and REPowerEU sets a target of 10 million tonnes of domestic renewable hydrogen production and 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen imports by 2030. Fossil-free hydrogen, which is based on nuclear power, will also play a role in substituting natural gas.

Hydrogen, which is based on nuclear power, will be key to replace natural gas, coal and oil

According to Foratom Director General Yves Desbaizelle, stopping the phase-out of nuclear power plants can help to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian gas. Mr. Desbaizelle added that "the Commission makes clear that this will also bring economic benefits, as it will lead to lower investment costs. Given this, we firmly believe that one of the best ways of ensuring security of supply and lower investment costs today is to keep as many nuclear power plants running for as long as possible."

"We need to focus on increasing production of low-carbon hydrogen in Europe. The best way of achieving this is through an electricity mix made up of nuclear and renewables," Desbazeille said.

 

Source: World Nuclear News

The best way to increase production of low-carbon hydrogen in Europe is through an electricity mix of nuclear and renewables

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