On Tuesday 7 October, the European Commission’s Director-General for Energy, Ditte Juul Jørgensen, emphasised that the institution was working on its nuclear investment strategy, taking into account the discussions and contributions made at the 18th European Nuclear Energy Forum, held in Bratislava on 6 and 7 October.
The final PINC (Nuclear Illustrative Programme) report on the assessment of investment needs is also expected by the end of the year (see EUROPE 13659/11).
Mrs Jørgensen also pointed out that the planned increase in the budget for energy infrastructure under the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 (see EUROPE 13683/3) will benefit the nuclear sector as part of the electrification of the energy system. “It also foresees a very strong research component in the program and of course nuclear is very much part of that component. I hope this will include fusion, but also other new technologies”, she explained.
Future strategy for small modular reactors. In her opening address, she mentioned in particular the role of small modular reactors (SMRs). She believes that a coordinated approach within the EU and between start-ups will be at the heart of the Commission’s future strategy for small modular reactors (SMRs). This will see the light of day “in the not too distant future”, by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
Dependence on Russian enriched uranium. In an opening address, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico thanked the Commission for its “change of attitude” towards nuclear energy, citing the PINC report and the new framework for State aid for investment in clean technologies (CISAF) (see EUROPE 13667/26).
However, he once again criticised the REPowerEU ‘roadmap’ for a complete phase-out of Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027 (see EUROPE 13634/1, 13724/6). While the Commission has so far only published a legislative proposal targeting Russian gas, the Slovak Prime Minister believes that a ban on Russian nuclear fuels will pose “the greatest danger” to security of supply.
On this point, Ditte Juul Jørgensen acknowledged that the EU was still dependent on enriched uranium from Russia, but that Europe was “in a strong position” with “more investment to come”. “Of course, before we change fundamentally or make suggestions for change and diversification, we have to make sure that we are ready”, she conceded. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)