On November 25, a parliamentary network on the future of nuclear power in Europe was launched at the initiative of MEP Christophe Grudler (Renew Europe) and with the cooperation of MEPs Tsvetelina Penkova (Bulgaria, S&D), Tomas Tobé (Sweden, EPP), François-Xavier Bellamy (France, EPP), Karin Karlsbro (Sweden, Renew Europe) and Alexandr Vondra (Czech Republic, ECR).
"In view of the ambitious European objectives in the fight against climate change, we must put all possible solutions on the table. The development of renewable energies must go hand in hand with nuclear innovations. It will not be possible to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal without a share of nuclear in the overall energy mix. Therefore, our club was created specifically to find concrete political solutions in this sense.
The inclusion of nuclear in the European taxonomy, the production of carbon-free hydrogen, and research and innovation to reduce nuclear waste as top three priorities
The group aims to facilitate a cross-party discussion at European level on the future of nuclear as a decarbonised, cost-effective and reliable energy source. Regular meetings and events will be organised to address issues, with three priorities: the inclusion of nuclear in the European taxonomy, the production of carbon-free hydrogen, and research and innovation to reduce nuclear waste.
Governance has already been established, with MEP Christophe Grudler as Chair of the network, and MEP François-Xavier Bellamy (EPP), MEP Tomas Tobé (EPP), MEP Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D), MEP Karin Karlsbro (Renew Europe) and MEP Alexandr Vondra (ECR) as Vice-Chairs.
One of the first activities of the club will be a parliamentary mission at the Nuclear World Exhibition at Villepinte (Paris), and will be a first opportunity to gather the members of this new network on December 1st.
