Thierry Breton advocated for nuclear energy in the EU

 

 EU countries need to attract around € 500 billion in investment by 2050 to ensure the construction and operation of next-generation nuclear power plants (NPPs). This was stated by EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, published on Sunday.

"In order to achieve carbon neutrality, we really need to move to the next level in decarbonised electricity production in Europe, given that electricity demand will double in thirty years. That means significant investment to increase the production capacity of these types of energy: nuclear and renewable, "Breton said.

 "Existing nuclear power plants alone will require 50 billion euros in investment by 2030 and 500 billion euros in 2050 for next-generation reactors! That is, these efforts will require about 20 billion euros a year," he said. In this regard, Breton recalled that the European Commission supports the inclusion of the nuclear industry in the so-called green taxonomy - part of a European deal aimed at developing sustainable financing and a low-carbon economy in Europe.

 Despite the lack of consensus within the EU on the inclusion of nuclear power plants in the taxonomy - some countries, including Germany, are still committed to the use of gas, the commissioner said, extending the life of most of the EU's 103 nuclear reactors. The development and construction of new generation reactors, including the EPR (European Pressure Reactor), will continue until 2045. "They can continue to be built after 2045, provided that applications for a building permit are signed by 2045. ", he said.

 In the event of successful harmonization of taxonomy principles within the EU, it will also cover the new generation of compact modular reactors. At the same time, he "does not envisage any time limits" for future next-generation plants that produce less waste products than current ones, the commissioner added. He added that now in the EU 26% of electricity is produced in nuclear power plants, but after the "green" transition by 2050, their share will be reduced to 15%.

 In terms of renewables, this energy sector, according to Breton, will require even greater investment, up to 65 billion euros a year. Another € 45 billion a year will have to be raised to create the additional infrastructure needed to run such power plants. At the same time, the EU Commissioner did not specify how long such investments will have to be made.