23 Jan (NucNet): The European nuclear industry has welcomed European Commission recommendations to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 40 percent lower than 1990 levels, but “regrets” the fact that the proposals do not support “technology neutrality” by recognising the important role nuclear energy plays in reducing GHGs.
Foratom, the Brussels-based association that represents the nuclear energy industry, said nuclear power already produces two thirds of the EU’s low-carbon electricity, at very competitive prices, and will continue to do so.
The association director-general, Jean-Pol Poncelet, said: “It is regrettable that this reality is not emphasised in the EC’s communication. In addition, nuclear new build in a number of countries will contribute to the further reduction of GHGs in Europe.”
As part of its EU 2030 climate and energy strategy paper, the EC recommended that binding targets be set for emissions reductions by 2030. It wants to increase EU renewables use to at least 27 percent of final energy demand and cut EU emissions by 40 percent compared with 1990 levels.
Westinghouse said the recommendations could boost nuclear energy, although the target set for renewable energy contribution is not as good as a technology-neutral approach.
The GHG emissions reduction goal of 40 percent is a “cost-effective and non-discriminatory approach,” Westinghouse said. It expressed concern that setting a requirement for a certain percentage of renewable energy could result in unfair competition, higher costs and “unworkable market mechanisms”.
“We remain convinced that technology neutrality is the best way forward,” Westinghouse president for Europe, Middle East and Africa Yves Brachet said in a statement.
EU leaders are to discuss the recommendations at a summit in Brussels on March 20-21, and the European Parliament and EU Council, representing the EU’s 28 national governments, will also debate them.
The London-based World Nuclear Association said a binding 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to a 1990 baseline is “an ambitious target” which will require strong commitments from EU member states.
“However it remains a bare minimum if the EU wishes to achieve its objective of an 80 percent reduction by 2050, and do its part in averting a 2 °C rise in global temperatures,” a statement said.
The EC’s Communication on 2030 Climate and Energy Policy is online:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/2030_en.htm
