European nuclear energy ambitions grow.
Romania intends to become a regional leader in the field of nuclear energy, its President Klaus Iohannis said at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. He emphasised that climate change represents "a global challenge", which requires coordinated action and ambitious measures.
Neighbouring Serbia does not have any experience with nuclear energy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said at the summit.
He said Serbia faced three problems: a lack of know-how and experts on the use of nuclear power, a lack of funding and the present mindset of the people. He added that Serbia is interested in getting at least four small modular reactors (SMRs), but noted that it would need financial support from leading EU states.
In Slovenia, a nuclear power plant has been operating in Krško, near the border with Croatia, since 1983. It generates about 40 percent of the country's electricity, half of which belongs to Croatia, which co-owns the plant. In November, Slovenian citizens are expected to vote in a consultative referendum on the construction of a new nuclear power plant (Jek2), also in Krško.
Sweden currently has six working nuclear reactors, in Forsmark, Oskarshamn and Ringhals, all built in the 1980s. Six older reactors were closed down between 1999 and 2020. Among them the Barsebäck power plant, which - located in southern Sweden, close to Denmark - for many years was criticised by the neighbouring country.
In Sweden, the question of nuclear power has been one of the main political issues during the last couple of years. Instead of phasing out the system, which was decided after a non-binding referendum in 1979, the current right-wing government is preparing for a heavy buildup with new reactors, both big and small. After many years of criticism, nuclear power is getting increasingly popular among the population and the political parties.
Renewables remain key in energy debate.
Despite the EU's more accommodating stance, the nuclear vs.
renewables debate is still fuelling a standoff between Paris and Brussels: France failed to meet EU-set renewable targets in 2020, but is refusing to make amends - arguing that its carbon footprint is low enough due to nuclear power.
France's stance is disliked by many environmental activists - and by EU countries like Spain, Austria, Germany and Luxembourg which together form a "Friends of Renewables" alliance within the bloc.
German Green MEP Michael Bloss said: "We need to ramp up efforts on expanding renewable energy. Reviving the nuclear debate now will only stall progress. That's how we're jeopardising our leadership in the Green Deal." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected calls for a return to nuclear power in Germany, pointing to high costs and long construction times. Electricity coming from nuclear power plants costs many times more than electricity from wind power, solar energy or other production sources, said Scholz.
Despite having no nuclear power plants, Portugal has extensive legislation on nuclear matters, especially in the radiological field. There are many bodies in different ministries with responsibilities in this area - for example for controlling Spain's Almaraz nuclear power plant that uses water of the Tagus river (which runs in both countries) for cooling.
The investment is targeted at renewable power sources which supplied 61 percent of Portugal's electricity in 2023, up from 49 percent a year earlier, hitting a new record after periods of heavy rains, strong winds and good doses of sunshine, grid operator REN said.
Looking outside of the EU, North Macedonia, for example, also does not have any nuclear plants, but it has committed to a coal phase-out by 2027. North Macedonia has drafted the first laws and agreements on strategic investments in the energy sector, to facilitate and speed up investments in renewable electricity plants. The first four projects are solar power plants Pehčevo and Stipion, a cogeneration facility in Skopje and a photovoltaic plant with gas engines.
(The content of this article is based on news by agencies participating in the enr, in this case AFP, Agerpres, BTA, CTK, dpa, EFE, Lusa, MIA, STA, Tanjug, TT).
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