France strengthens its ties in European nuclear power

Towards more nuclear power in Europe: the decision is made. This is evidenced by the events that took place this Tuesday in Brussels. The French Minister for Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, and the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry signed a declaration of intent aimed at strengthening cooperation between their two countries in nuclear power. Several points are discussed, such as the promotion of a “regulatory, industrial and financial framework favorable to the realization of nuclear installation projects” in order to “strengthen Europe’s energy sovereignty and security”. The two countries also intend to increase “exchanges of experiences and good practices with regard to public participation” or “financing models for the construction of new reactors”. While France aims to build 6 new EPR 2 nuclear reactors, or even 14, Sweden seeks to acquire two new reactors in 2035 and ten in 2045.

France, under the leadership of its Minister for Energy Transition, has taken the lead in the European movement which highlights the role that nuclear power can play in the decarbonization of the energy mix. One of the objectives of the fourteen countries united within the Nuclear Alliance is to promote technological neutrality. Regardless of the means of production implemented (wind, solar, hydraulic or nuclear), the important thing is that they are low carbon. These countries are also seeking to develop another tool for measuring Europe. Currently, efforts made in the field of energy transition are measured by the share of renewable energies in the overall energy mix. France and its partners advocate another model which would take into account the share of carbon-free energies. In other words: which would include nuclear power. A crucial point, as Europeans commit to decarbonizing their electricity system by 2035.

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The Alliance also aims to promote an industrial component, with more cooperation between countries in the field of small modular reactors (SMR). In a way, France has already initiated this international cooperation with the financial support granted by France 2030 to Newcleo, a start-up founded by Italian researchers, based in London and which should build its prototype in France.