EU Admits Mistake Turning Away from Nuclear Power

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

Europe is accelerating the development of next-generation nuclear plants using small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs) after admitting that it was a mistake for the region to turn away from nuclear power.

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The European Commission (EC) wants to have Europe's first mini nuclear power plants using small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs) up and running by the early 2030s. 

The EC has presented its European Strategy for Small Modular Reactors with funding to fast-track the commercial rollout of SMRs and AMRs with Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen admitting that shunning nuclear power was a mistake for the region. 

A Strategic Mistake

Presenting the new strategy, backed by an initial 200 million euro (US$232 million) in funding, Von Der Leyen told attendees at the Paris Nuclear Summit: "While in 1990 one-third of Europe's electricity came from nuclear, today it is only close to 15%. This reduction in the share of nuclear power was a choice. I believe that it was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emissions power." Total SMR capacity in the EU could reach between 17 gigawatts (GW) and 53 GW by 2050, according to projections in the Commission's Nuclear Illustrative Programme. Industrial Info is tracking 45 SMR projects in Europe worth US$133 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports. 

She added: "Nuclear energy is reliable, providing electricity all year, around the clock. So the most efficient system combines nuclear and renewables, and is underpinned by storage, flexibility, and grids. The second reason is that Europe has been a pioneer in nuclear technology and could once again lead the world in it. Next-generation nuclear reactors could become a European high-tech high-value export. And this is what brings us to Paris today. In recent years, we've seen a global revival of nuclear energy. And Europe wants to be part of it. Last year, we changed our State aid rules to expand support for nuclear fission and fuels. We launched the world's first industrial alliance for small modular reactors and proposed to invest over 5 billion euro (US$5.7 billion) in our next budget on fusion research, notably through ITER."

The Strategy

With the goal of deploying the first SMR projects in less than decade, the strategy emphasizes a unified approach "among EU countries, industry, regulators, and investors to avoid fragmentation, leverage synergies, and fast-track commercialisation." The European Industrial Alliance on SMRs will play a key role in driving implementation, and key actions will include a fleet-based approach for industrial deployment of SMRs and AMRs, closer industrial cooperation and a competitive European supply chain, including fuel cycle services. 

Greater Cooperation

The key to achieving a fast rollout for SMRs in the real world will be regulatory cooperation between various bodies and nations in the EU. This will include joint early reviews and regulatory 'sandboxes' under the Net-Zero Industry Act. Sandboxes allow for the real-world testing of new technologies, products or services in a controlled environment without full regulatory compliance. The EC is proposing the establishment of "SMR Valleys" to further promote business collaboration and manufacturing, and a  "SMR coalition" for interested EU countries "to advance policy, regulatory and economic coordination for selected SMR designs." It will call for simpler administrative procedures for export controls between EU countries for SMR projects, as well as the protection of European intellectual property developed in the context of SMRs. 

Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, said: "Small modular reactors are a safe nuclear technology that can contribute to delivering reliable, homegrown decarbonised energy, strengthening industrial competitiveness and reinforcing our energy security. Today, we are setting a clear pathway for Europe to move from research to concrete projects as soon as possible. Europe must remain at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technologies, including Advanced Modular Reactors, because there's no competitiveness without industrial leadership."

Reaction

Nucleareurope, the trade association for Europe's nuclear industry, welcomed the strategy and funding bump. "The publication of the SMR strategy is a clear recognition of the important role which SMRs will play in Europe," stated Emmanuel Brutin, nucleareurope Director General. "We welcome, in particular, the proposal to establish an additional temporary InvestEU top-up of 200 million euro (US$232 million) to further support the deployment of the initial commercial units of innovative nuclear technologies. However more financial support will be needed given the investments required in all nuclear technologies, including lifetime extension and new large reactors."

Key Takeaways

• Europe supporting faster rollout of small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs)
• Industrial Info is tracking 45 SMR projects in Europe worth US$133 billion
• EC providing 200 million euro (US$232 million) in additional funding to help jump-start the rollout

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About IIR News Intelligence

IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resource's Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources

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 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).

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