France Pushes for Nuclear Power in EU Energy Strategy Amid Decarbonisation Efforts

France Advocates for Nuclear Power Integration in EU Energy Policy
At a recent EU Council energy summit in Brussels, France’s Ecological Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher called for a fundamental shift in the European Union’s energy strategy. Specifically, France pushed for nuclear energy to be recognized as a central component of the EU’s decarbonisation efforts, arguing that nuclear should be integrated alongside renewable sources like wind and solar. This is in line with France’s ongoing campaign to include nuclear in the EU’s list of “green” investment technologies, which would unlock further policy support and funding opportunities for the sector.

Pannier-Runacher called for the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), which mandates a renewable energy share of at least 42.5% by 2030, to be replaced by a new law that measures energy sources by their “carbon intensity” instead of solely focusing on renewables. By doing so, the EU would better reflect nuclear’s role as a low-carbon energy source, giving it parity with renewable energy in the transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.

Broad EU Consensus on Technology-Neutral Energy Policy and Nuclear’s Role
While France’s stance on nuclear energy was prominent, other EU countries also supported a technology-neutral energy policy, allowing for a wider mix of energy sources. Countries like Czechia, Finland, and Italy echoed the call for a diversified energy portfolio, arguing that nuclear should be a key part of the EU’s energy mix in addition to renewables. This policy shift would enable EU nations to select energy solutions based on their environmental impact, rather than a singular focus on renewables.

Ireland’s environment minister, Eamon Ryan, recognized nuclear’s role but urged fellow ministers to look beyond the division between renewables and nuclear. He emphasized the need for cooperation and integration, highlighting the risks of individual EU countries pursuing their energy solutions independently, which could drive up costs and undermine the EU’s collective energy security goals.

Focus on Energy Infrastructure and Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependence
A central theme in the discussions was the need to bolster Europe’s energy infrastructure, particularly cross-border power grids. Enhancing transmission lines would support the EU’s move toward electrifying key sectors, including transport, industry, and heating, which are integral to meeting the EU’s decarbonisation targets. However, ministers also expressed concern over high energy costs, which were exacerbated by the energy crisis of 2022, and agreed on the necessity of protecting consumers from volatile prices.

Belgium’s energy minister, Tinne Van Der Straeten, proposed decoupling renewable electricity prices from fossil fuel prices, ensuring that consumers could access green electricity at lower, stable rates, rather than being subject to fluctuations driven by gas prices. This proposal aligns with the EU’s overarching goal of reducing its dependency on fossil fuels and increasing the share of clean energy in the grid.

Geothermal Energy and Sustainable Energy Solutions
Alongside nuclear and renewables, geothermal energy also emerged as a key focus during the summit. Hungary, which holds significant geothermal resources, led the conversation on accelerating the deployment of this clean, stable energy source. Geothermal energy offers a dependable, weather-independent alternative to wind and solar, making it an important part of the EU’s future energy mix. To this end, EU member states have called for streamlined permitting and a dedicated “European Geothermal Action Plan” to expand its use across the continent.