About: nuclear phase-out
Belgium can extend life of nuclear reactors if it acts soon, watchdog says
Belgium's nuclear regulator gave a provisional green light on Monday to extend the life of two of the country's nuclear power reactors and urged the government to make a final decision on the issue in the first quarter of 2022.
Germany pulls the plug on three of its last six nuclear plants
Germany will pull the plug on three of its last six nuclear power stations on Friday (31 December), another step towards completing its withdrawal from nuclear power as it turns its focus to renewables.
Nuclear exit to unleash wind power in Northern Germany
The shutdown of the last nuclear power plant in Schleswig-Holstein will unclog the electricity grid and unleash wind power in the northern German state, according to its environment minister Jan Philipp Albrecht, reports Clean Energy Wire.
German nuclear power shutdown will not lead to power shortage: report
The shutdown of Germany’s last nuclear power plants will not cause supply shortages, according to calculations by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), CLEW reported.
Macron, Orban urge EU to ‘actively support’ nuclear power
A group of seven European leaders fronted by French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the European Commission to stop hindering nuclear power and consider ways of bringing atomic energy into the EU’s green finance rule book ahead of an EU summit on Thursday (25 March).
France battles Brussels over separation of EDF’s nuclear arm
French plans to ring-fence EDF's nuclear arm from the rest of the power giant have triggered differences between Paris and Brussels over how it should be structured, according to a source close to the discussions.
When it comes to nuclear power, fear is a bad advisor
There are many valid arguments against specific nuclear projects – including cost efficiency, safety, and environmental footprint. But one should also be honest in comparing the trade-offs with competing technologies, writes Pieter Cleppe.
Nuclear power ‘dead and alive’, S&P proclaims
Growing competition from cheap renewable electricity, safety concerns, and rising costs of new plants are slowly driving nuclear power over the edge – except in Russia and China where the industry continues to enjoy extensive state support, S&P said.
EU court warns Belgium over nuclear reactors
Belgium should have carried out environmental impact studies before prolonging the operational life of two nuclear reactors, Europe’s top court ruled Monday (29 July). The European Court of Justice, responding to a case brought by two environmental pressure groups, found...
Five questions surrounding Germany’s coal phase-out plan
Many in Germany want to have their cake and eat it by scrapping nuclear power and avoiding coal at the same time. Pieter Cleppe looks at some of the questions raised by Germany’s decision.
Germany’s coal commission agrees first post-coal strategy steps
Members of Germany's coal exit commission unanimously adopted on Wednesday (25 October) the first major policy recommendations for those lignite mining regions affected by a future coal power phase-out. EURACTIV's media partner Clean Energy Wire reports.
EU court dismisses Austrian case against UK nuclear plant
A European Union court on Thursday (12 July) dismissed a case brought by Austria against EU-approved subsidies for a new nuclear power plant in Britain.
Belgium pledges to ditch nuclear power by 2025
On Friday (30 March), the Belgian government approved a new energy pact that will see the country phase out atomic power between 2022 and 2025.
Belgium offers radiation-busting tablets for all as EU anti-nuclear alliance builds
Belgian pharmacies will now provide radiation-busting iodine tablets free-of-charge to anyone as part of the country’s new nuclear strategy, while Benelux partner Luxembourg has come out fighting against atom-smashing.
Belarus: Atomic power on the EU’s doorstep
A nuclear power plant on the EU’s border with Belarus continues to court controversy due to a number of incidents during its construction and serious concerns raised by neighbouring countries. EURACTIV.com visited the ex-Soviet nation in October to learn more.
Nuclear agency chief: Small reactors ‘might be a game-changer’ for Europe
The political climate for nuclear energy is "not very positive" in Europe, admits William D. Magwood, and the industry is currently shifting towards Russia and Asia as a result. But the emergence of small modular reactors (SMR) built in factories might slow down the process, he argues.
German nuclear damage shows atomic and renewable power are unhappy bedfellows
A Germany nuclear plant was damaged because its operators increased and decreased its output to respond to energy grid fluctuations. The incident supports the theory that nuclear and renewable energy generation are incompatible. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Berlin invested in Belgian nuclear plants despite safety concerns
Germany’s federal government is invested to the tune of €6.4m in Belgium's ailing nuclear plants, despite Berlin recently advocating for their closure. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Massive human chain protests ageing Belgian nuclear reactors
50,000 people from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands formed a cross-border 90 km-long human chain on Sunday (25 June) to protest against the controversial Tihange nuclear power plant. Micro-cracks were recently discovered in one of the facility’s reactors.
EU pollutant limits threaten large-scale coal plants, says new report
Stricter European Union pollutant limits could lead to costly upgrades or the closure of one third of Europe's large-scale coal power plant capacity, a new report showed today (8 May).
Nuclear referendum fails to mollify Swiss energy debate
Given the polarisation of the debate and high share of undecided respondents, it comes as no surprise that politicians went back into campaigning mode after the nuclear referendum in Switzerland on Sunday (27 November), write Rolf Wüstenhagen and Adrian Rinscheid.
Global industry report dispels myth of ‘nuclear renaissance’
Nuclear energy is being outstripped by renewable energy globally, but despite safety risks and rising costs of new generation reactors, there is still no end in sight for nuclear power - also in Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Norwegian gas giant insists on rapid coal phase out
A phase-out of coal has long been on the cards. Now, a study by Norwegian energy giant Statoil has shown that it needs to be done quickly if climate targets are to be met. EURACTIV’s partner WirtschaftsWoche reports.