The countries of the European Union yesterday reached an agreement to increase production and investment in green technologies. Among the agreed points is to include nuclear energy as strategic within the framework of the new zero-emissions industry regulation, legislation that was born in response to the United States Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Now negotiations will begin with the European Parliament.
The objective of the standard is to facilitate the deployment of clean technologies, accelerate permits and public support for this type of industries, with the idea of covering 40% of the needs of the Twenty-seven with clean energy between now and 2030. The The law was also proposed as a way to confront the IRA and competition from China. It contemplates aid that exceeds 250,000 million euros and foresees a massive investment in green technologies and advancing in the energy transition so that the EU is climate neutral from 2050.
“We must be at the forefront of technologies that allow us to accelerate our decarbonization plans (…). It is no longer an option, it is an obligation,” said the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, in his first meeting with his counterparts, as President of the Council.
The law hopes to facilitate investment in a series of technologies considered strategic, among which are renewables (such as wind or solar), but finally also those generated by nuclear power plants and synthetic fuels, such as hydrogen. The countries began the negotiations divided on the matter, but it was finally decided to include nuclear energy, a clear commitment by France in contrast to the Commission's proposal, which did not consider it strategic. Several environmental organizations regretted the decision, considering that it "diverted" European funds that should go to "truly clean technologies."
Negotiations with the European Parliament will begin next week, Hereu said. The minister was “convinced” that an agreement between the institutions will be closed before the elections to the European Parliament, next June. The European Parliament also voted in favor of including nuclear energy as a strategic technology.
