On the sidelines of the meeting of European energy ministers on Monday 20 October, the pro-renewables and pro-nuclear countries met, as usual, to advance their respective energy priorities.
The ‘European Nuclear Alliance’, an initiative launched by France in 2023, was chaired this time by Romania.
A total of 15 Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden and Poland), with Greece as an observer, took part. The European Commission was also represented.
Discussions revolved around recent developments in the nuclear sector, and focused on the need to improve access to the relevant European and private financing instruments for nuclear projects. In particular, these countries are calling on the Commission to revise the complementary delegated act to the EU taxonomy so that nuclear energy can be recognised as a fully sustainable activity.
The Friends of Renewables meeting was chaired by Spain and Ireland. There were also 15 participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Romania, the Netherlands, Latvia, Malta, Luxembourg and Portugal. The Commission took part as well in this discussion.
Top of the agenda at this meeting was the future European Grids Package (see EUROPE 13715/8).
“The link between grids and the deployment and integration of renewable energies is crucial. Europe needs to improve cross-border electricity interconnections if it is to achieve its energy and climate objectives”, said the Spanish Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard.
These countries welcome, among other things, the rapid development of solar photovoltaics, which is enabling the continued expansion of renewable energies, but also recognise major challenges such as tensions in the supply chain, difficulties with grid integration, financial pressures and policy changes. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)