REM: Nuclear recognised in EU renewables policy – French minister

The EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) will recognise nuclear power, said France’s Energy Transition Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

“This agreement enshrines the recognition of the role of nuclear energy in achieving our decarbonisation objectives,” Pannier-Runacher told reporters following the agreement. Her comments were reported by Euractiv. 

“In concrete terms, this recognition involves the affirmation that the development of renewable energies is aimed solely at eliminating fossil fuels and must not lead to the replacement of nuclear reactors,” she said.

Countries using pink hydrogen, or hydrogen made from nuclear power, will get a rebate if they meet a ‘renewable’ energy sub-target for the industrial sector.

Pannier-Runacher’s comments came after European negotiators agreed on 30 March on a raised goal that the 27 member states must together reach a mandatory 42.5% of renewable energy in their electricity use by 2030, with bonuses for reaching 45%. This is up from 32% of renewables.