About: nuclear power Archives

In all likelihood, the European Commission will table a proposal in the coming months to include nuclear energy in the EU’s green finance taxonomy, said Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, a researcher at the Jacques Delors Institute. But it is probably waiting for the outcome of the German elections before making a move, he suggested.

The inclusion of nuclear power in the EU’s green finance taxonomy is “the most likely” outcome in view of the scientific reports submitted to the European Commission in the past months, EU experts believe. But Brussels is not entirely decided yet and is seen playing for time before the German election this month.

A group of five EU member states led by Germany have sent a letter to the European Commission asking for nuclear energy to be kept out of the EU’s green finance taxonomy.

The hard line defended by France over the inclusion of nuclear power in the green finance taxonomy is a dead end because there is no majority in favour of it at the EU level, warns lawmaker Pascal Canfin. Instead, the French MEP argues for including nuclear energy in the 'transition' category.

Experts tasked with assessing whether the European Union should label nuclear power as a green investment will say that the fuel qualifies as sustainable, according to a leaked document.

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).

The European Commission disagrees with a French government plan to restructure EDF and sees a break-up of the nuclear utility into several units as the only solution, the state-owned firm's chief executive Jean-Bernard Lévy said in an interview.

The industry is growing increasingly nervous about European Commission plans to evaluate the safety of radioactive waste handling as an expert report is expected next month on how to classify nuclear energy under the EU’s green finance taxonomy.

A tender to decide who builds a new unit at a Czech nuclear power plant may face delays after security services and opposition parties raised concerns about the possible participation of bidders from China and Russia, officials said.

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.

Nordic countries would have to generate another 290 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, an increase of 75% from current levels, to meet the additional demand for power if they become carbon neutral, a study published on Thursday showed.

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.

As Poland plans to build six nuclear plants, it has to inform its neighbours about potential environmental consequences. Given that it has not yet told anyone, but for Austria, could this mean that Poland is ignoring international rules? EURACTIV Germany reports.

The Finnish government has granted a uranium recovery and refinery permit to Terrafame, a 70% state-owned company. Since the Czech Republic and Romania have stopped their operations, this decision will make Finland the EU's only uranium producer. 

The new government in Vienna will aim for “an end to nuclear energy” in the EU, Thomas Waitz told EURACTIV Slovakia. The MEP-elect and Green Party negotiator also calls on the EU to acknowledge that Poland will need financial support in the transition away from coal.

In October 2018, EURACTIV revealed how the European Commission was planning to propose an ambitious new climate plan for 2050. Now the EU is on the cusp of agreeing to implement it. Here is how the pieces line up ahead of crunch talks later in December.

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.

Small nuclear reactors can help “vulnerable nations take control of their destinies,” the US energy secretary said in Brussels today (21 October), claiming that small off-grid nuclear plants can bring electricity to poor nations and “disperse the darkness” around the globe.

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 the …

Replacing Poland’s obsolete coal power fleet is a top political priority for the country, both for environmental and energy security reasons. But even as it steps up renewable energy plans, Warsaw is also pushing hard for new gas and nuclear plants to fill in the gap.

Hungary quietly lent its support to the EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal on Monday (17 June). It is now among 22 countries to do so, but its support comes with a caveat: Budapest sees nuclear power as the main way of meeting the target.

The V4 group of countries ignores climate threats, attempts to extend fossil fuel burning, violates air pollution limits and undermines the development of renewable energies. The Visegrad+ Renewable Energy platform has been established to turn this trend around, writes Ada Ámon.

Armenia and Azerbaijan’s frosty relations have started to thaw since Nikol Pashinyan led a peaceful revolution in the Caucasus republic last year. In an interview with EURACTIV, he talked about future ties with Baku, as well as with Brussels and Moscow.

A European Court of Justice (ECJ) advocate-general has cast doubt on Belgium’s decision to extend the life of one of its ageing nuclear power plants, suggesting environmental impact assessments may not have been carried out properly.