Commission prepares ground for new energy policy

The European Commission is preparing a new energy policy which might lead to a comeback for nuclear power. The new policy, which aims at securing future energy supply, is a direct reaction to the recent social unrest over rising oil prices. It should be presented as a Green Paper on energy security of supply within the coming weeks.

In a series of recent speeches, Commissioner for Energy and Transport Loyola de Palacio has outlined some of the ideas behind the new EU energy supply security policy.

At its core lies the need to provide a diverse range of energy products at prices affordable to all consumers at the same time as respecting environmental considerations. In the new proposals, the Commission will place emphasis on the long-term use of coal for electricity generation, the extension of the lifetime of existing nuclear plants, and stronger incentives for renewable energies.

A "technical background document" for the Green Paper links the use of nuclear power to the EU's ambitions to achieve the Kyoto objectives on climate change. The need to reduce fossil fuel electricity generation means that the nuclear option should be kept open for future generations, according to the draft paper.

The environmental movement is seriously worried about the new Commission plans. Jason Anderson of Climate Action Network Europe told EURACTIV that he believes "the technical plan is essentially a document to relaunch nuclear". He said that the environmental risks surrounding nuclear power should not be traded off against the Kyoto commitments.