No truly robust energy system can work solely on renewable sources and if Europe is to achieve its ambitious decarbonisation targets nuclear energy will be needed along with guarantee mechanisms to help the bloc’s energy transition, Cosmin Ghiță, chief executive officer of Romania’s state-controlled nuclear energy producer Nuclearelectrica, said in an interview.

“The main idea at European level that decarbonisation targets could be achieved by using only renewables is a utopia,” Mr Ghiță told the energynomics.ro website.

“Decarbonisation targets require a well-thought-out mix of complementary sources that allow the energy system to operate steadily, with an extremely low level of factors of dependence,” he said.

“In addition to renewables, which are part of this process, but which, unfortunately, also come with a number of challenges in terms of availability and climatic factors, hydro and nuclear are needed.”