The nuclear industry has criticised the European commission for removing suggestions related to nuclear power from the final version of a communication on saving gas, accusing it of “giving in to the ideological pressure of a minority”.

The draft version of the commission’s “Save gas for a safe winter” communication, leaked last week, included a recommendation to postpone planned nuclear phaseouts to help boost energy supplies. It also recommended switching to nuclear where possible to reduce gas consumption.

Both recommendations have been removed from the final version of the communication published on 20 July.

Brussels-based industry group nucleareurope said it was “very disappointed” to see the commission continuing to ignore the value of nuclear given the current energy crisis.