Nuclear Industry Group Foratom Calls For EU To Treat All Low-Carbon Technologies Equally

28 Nov (NucNet): Europe must continue to make use of nuclear energy as it focuses on achieving its goal of cutting CO2 emissions and moving to a low-carbon economy, but all low-carbon technologies should be allowed to compete equally, the Brussels-based nuclear industry group Foratom said today. Responding to the European Commission’s third report on the state of the energy union, Foratom said in a statement that providing support for one technology over another can distort the market and trigger unfair competition. Foratom said the right market price signals are needed to attract investment in low-carbon technologies. “Here again, consideration should be given to all technologies which can help Europe achieve its low-carbon goals,” Foratom said. The group said it was important to recognise the contribution of nuclear in terms of reducing dependence on coal and gas imports from third countries. Accelerating the decarbonisation of Europe must include nuclear energy, which contributes to all the energy union’s key energy objectives, said Foratom director-general Yves Desbazeille. Those objectives include security of supply, competitiveness and environmental sustainability. The EC said it is on track to implement the energy union project and deliver jobs, growth and investment. But it warned that an energy transition will not be possible without adapting infrastructure to the needs of the future energy system. The aim of the energy union is to ensure secure, affordable and clean energy for the EU by allowing a free flow of energy across national borders within the block. Plans include using new technologies and renewed infrastructure to cut household bills and boost growth. The energy union report is online: http://bit.ly/2jsjTPX