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Released March 15, 2023 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--A nuclear alliance of 11 European Union (EU) nations has been formed to promote cooperation across new nuclear power projects and technologies including small modular reactors (SMRs).
Spearheaded by France--Europe's largest nuclear power nation with 56 reactors--the group wants to "jointly reaffirm their desire to strengthen European cooperation in the field of nuclear energy..and the promotion of research and the dissemination of technical information. Nuclear energy is one of many tools to achieve our climate goals, to generate base load electricity and to ensure security of supply." Other signatories include Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The group will also act as a lobby group hoping to increase the role of nuclear power in the EU's transition away from fossil-fuels to renewable energy. France and other members have previously called on the European Commission (EC) to grant nuclear power a low-carbon status like renewables. Alliance member Poland, which is still mostly reliant on coal-fired power, is looking to build its first nuclear power plant in the coming decade. Last November, Industrial Info reported that Poland's government had chosen Westinghouse Electric Company (Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania) to build the country's first nuclear power plant. For additional information, see November 22, 2022, article - Poland's First Nuclear Plant Project Goes to Westinghouse.
The group will foster closer cooperation between the countries' national nuclear sectors in order to ensure "the best cooperation across supply chains and to explore joint training programs and industrial projects, in order to support new projects, notably based on innovative technologies, as well as the operation of existing power plants." Other areas will cover scientific cooperation and security.
"It was a very good discussion which made it possible to highlight common issues," said French energy transition minister, Agnès-Pannier Runacher, who initiated the meeting. "These issues are those of innovation and new SMR reactors, the question of skills, the authorisation of new facilities as well as cooperation on existing installations and nuclear subcontracting," reported Euractiv.
The future role of nuclear power in Europe has already impacted agreement on new EU renewable energy targets, with France wanting nuclear-powered hydrogen production included in the mix. Known as "red" hydrogen, France wants it included alongside green hydrogen but Germany and Spain--which are both in the process of phasing out nuclear power--are refusing to support the move. The stand-off may threaten a proposed green hydrogen pipeline, H2Med, which is still in the very early stages but which would stretch from Spain and Portugal into France and across to Germany. France just recently approved Germany's inclusion in the project. The Spanish government claimed the pipeline could supply up to 2 million metric tons of hydrogen annually.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
Spearheaded by France--Europe's largest nuclear power nation with 56 reactors--the group wants to "jointly reaffirm their desire to strengthen European cooperation in the field of nuclear energy..and the promotion of research and the dissemination of technical information. Nuclear energy is one of many tools to achieve our climate goals, to generate base load electricity and to ensure security of supply." Other signatories include Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The group will also act as a lobby group hoping to increase the role of nuclear power in the EU's transition away from fossil-fuels to renewable energy. France and other members have previously called on the European Commission (EC) to grant nuclear power a low-carbon status like renewables. Alliance member Poland, which is still mostly reliant on coal-fired power, is looking to build its first nuclear power plant in the coming decade. Last November, Industrial Info reported that Poland's government had chosen Westinghouse Electric Company (Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania) to build the country's first nuclear power plant. For additional information, see November 22, 2022, article - Poland's First Nuclear Plant Project Goes to Westinghouse.
The group will foster closer cooperation between the countries' national nuclear sectors in order to ensure "the best cooperation across supply chains and to explore joint training programs and industrial projects, in order to support new projects, notably based on innovative technologies, as well as the operation of existing power plants." Other areas will cover scientific cooperation and security.
"It was a very good discussion which made it possible to highlight common issues," said French energy transition minister, Agnès-Pannier Runacher, who initiated the meeting. "These issues are those of innovation and new SMR reactors, the question of skills, the authorisation of new facilities as well as cooperation on existing installations and nuclear subcontracting," reported Euractiv.
The future role of nuclear power in Europe has already impacted agreement on new EU renewable energy targets, with France wanting nuclear-powered hydrogen production included in the mix. Known as "red" hydrogen, France wants it included alongside green hydrogen but Germany and Spain--which are both in the process of phasing out nuclear power--are refusing to support the move. The stand-off may threaten a proposed green hydrogen pipeline, H2Med, which is still in the very early stages but which would stretch from Spain and Portugal into France and across to Germany. France just recently approved Germany's inclusion in the project. The Spanish government claimed the pipeline could supply up to 2 million metric tons of hydrogen annually.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
