EU agrees compromise on nuclear energy amid French pressure

The EU member states and parliament have reached a compromise on new targets for renewable energy after agreeing to a carve-out for nuclear power in certain sectors amid pressure from France.

Negotiators agreed to increase the overall binding target of renewable energy consumed in the EU to 42.5 per cent by 2030, up from 32 per cent, according to a statement. They also set an “indicative” target of reaching 45 per cent by the end of the decade.

France had pushed for nuclear energy to be included in countries’ efforts to reach those targets. But at the end of a long night of negotiations, the countries agreed on a more limited concession counting nuclear power towards the target for industry. Nuclear power plants generated about two-thirds of France’s electricity output in 2022.

Nuclear-sceptic countries including Germany and Austria had argued against the inclusion of atomic power, saying that such a move would undermine efforts to expand solar, wind and other renewable sources of energy.

The agreement now includes counting “low-carbon” hydrogen generated with electricity from atomic power plants as part of separate targets for renewable hydrogen used by industry, which can be reduced by one-fifth under certain conditions.

The states would, however, still have to reach the overall renewables goal of 42.5 per cent, regardless of the discount in the industry sector.

Pascal Canfin, head of the environment committee at the European parliament, on Twitter welcomed the “recognition of the role of nuclear energy, which is neither green nor fossil”.

The new law also accelerates permitting procedures for wind farms, solar panels and other renewable energy projects. They would be considered in the “overriding public interest”, meaning they could be exempt from certain nature protection laws.

“It will mean a massive boost for renewable energies in Europe,” said Markus Pieper, who led the negotiations for the European parliament on the directive.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: “This will help us progress towards climate neutrality, strengthen our energy security and boost our competitiveness — all at once.”

The deal still needs to be endorsed by the European parliament and the states.

While this is usually a formal process, Germany’s recent reopening of a deal regarding rules for car emissions has caused concern that countries unhappy with the outcome of this agreement could make a similar move.

Additional reporting by Sarah White in Paris