The deputy prime minister of Slovakia, which produces more than 60% of its energy from nuclear power plants, has joined calls for Europe to strengthen private investment in nuclear projects and for banks to include nuclear in their financing models.

Peter Kmec said nuclear projects are not covered by funding initiatives such as the European Regional Development Fund, InvestEu or the Innovation Fund, all of which offer financing for low-carbon technologies.

“And this is a great obstacle for those countries of the EU who want to develop nuclear sources in their energy strategy and strategy of decarbonisation,” Taraba said in a speech by video to the recent European Nuclear Energy Forum in Prague, Czech Republic.

Kmec said Slovakia is one of a group of nuclear friendly countries that wants nuclear energy to be recognised by the EU. “We also have to invest a lot in education, knowhow and gaining experience with which we can achieve that,” he said.