Europe’s nuclear energy industry has called on the new European Commission to ensure a level playing field between net zero energy technologies such as nuclear and renewables and to provide equal support for the financing of nuclear projects.

The Brussels-based industry association Nucleareurope said the nuclear sector should get equal support under all EU funds, European Investment Bank financing, and a planned clean energy investment strategy.

It called on the commission to allocate more funding for nuclear fission activities under the Euratom budget. Euratom is the European Atomic Energy Community, an organisation that promotes nuclear research, safety and the development of nuclear power.

Nucleareurope, which represents 15 national trade associations and nearly 3,000 European companies working in the industry, also called on the new commission to support the creation of what is known as an ‘Important Project of Common European Interest’ (IPCEI) for nuclear, which would allow EU countries to provide state funding for certain projects. The commission examines and approves IPCEIs under state aid law.