Declaration of the Nuclear Alliance.

We, the Governments of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Members of the Nuclear Alliance

REAFFIRM our strong commitment to developing and deploying nuclear energy, in full respect of each Member States’ right to determine their own energy mixes, as a key component of our decarbonisation, competitiveness and energy security strategies, taking into account safety, security and safeguards. Nuclear energy is key pillar of the EU’s electricity mix. Beyond providing low carbon and reliable electricity and heat, nuclear energy offers a valuable complement to intermittent renewable energy sources. In addition, nuclear energy plays a key role in supporting the stability of our electricity grids by bringing inertia to the system, while also helping to reduce the substantial investments required to make our grids future-proof. 

RECALL the recognition of nuclear energy technologies as net-zero technologies in the EU Net-Zero Industry Act and the recent adoption of the revised EU Climate Law, which recognises the principle of technological neutrality as a key element of our EU-wide decarbonisation strategy, and CALL for further inclusion of this principle in all relevant legislative and non-legislative proposals relating to the climate and energy framework, including the upcoming Strategy for Clean Energy Investments, as well as the EU’s state aid rules and Multiannual Financial Framework. 

WELCOME the European Commission’s update of its Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC), which confirms that nuclear energy plays and will continue to play an important role in the EU’s energy system. The updated PINC also highlights the significant investments required both to maintain existing nuclear capacity, including the safe extension of the operational lifetime of current reactors, and to develop new projects, including small modular reactors, which are essential to meet growing and evolving energy demand while ensuring the stability and resilience of our power systems. The PINC is not merely a forward-looking assessment. Under the Euratom Treaty, it sets out objectives and identifies the investments needed to achieve them, which must now be translated into concrete implementation.  

CALL upon the European Commission to play its part in identifying ways to improve nuclear projects’ access to relevant EU funds and financing instruments, such as the “InvestEU” instrument, preventing any unjust exclusions. We also CALL upon the European Commission to contribute to accelerating nuclear state aid notification procedures, while ensuring greater legal certainty, predictability and consistency in the application of state aid rules for nuclear projects, and allowing the tailor-made approach required for such capital-intensive instruments.  

REAFFIRM that, in the context of our ongoing negotiations on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), but also without prejudice to these negotiations, the principle of technological neutrality will remain an important consideration for our Member States in the design and practical implementation of the framework. We should ensure that the future MFF respects this principle and allows for fair treatment of nuclear energy projects, focusing on those that deliver EU-wide benefits thereby signalling our political support and providing the necessary predictability and confidence to mobilise investment at scale. We recognise the importance of an effective combination of public support and private financing in ensuring the successful delivery of nuclear projects, on our decarbonisation pathway.

REAFFIRM that the new MFF, without prejudice to ongoing negotiations, should be able to support nuclear projects, focusing on those that bring a European added value, in line with the EU’s industrial competitiveness policy, Net Zero Industry Act, and Clean Industrial Deal. As such, we CALL upon the European Commission and encourage EU Member States to support projects that will strengthen the EU industrial capacities and capabilities and will mobilise the EU supply chain, as well as to increase nuclear power plant capacities, while remaining open to cooperation and strategic partnerships. This is essential to ensure that the EU strengthens its clean industrial capacities and supply chains, as well as to secure the technologies it needs for transitioning to a climate-neutral society and resilient economy, while safeguarding its competitiveness.

COMMEND the launch by the European Commission of the EU Industrial Alliance for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the role it plays in supporting our nuclear industry. CALL upon the European Commission to continue its engagement through its initiatives for nuclear skills, training, research and innovation, as well as through ambitious industry policies for nuclear power projects.

UNDERLINE the importance of accelerating the industrial deployment of SMR technologies in Europe, ensuring that European industry remains at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing.

COMMEND the mobilisation of investments by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support nuclear energy projects in Europe, thereby strengthening investor confidence and the mobilisation of private capital.

COMMEND the EIB’s recognition of the role of nuclear energy projects, both large-scale, small modular and advanced reactors, as net-zero energy projects, in our fight against climate change and CALL for this recognition to be duly reflected in the EIB’s climate objectives when it leads to emissions reduction. We further CALL upon other European institutional and private financial institutions to update their classification of nuclear energy projects accordingly, and upon the Commission to continue refining the EU Taxonomy framework on the basis of scientific evidence and taking into account the schedules of the nuclear investments implemented in the EU.  

CALL upon the EIB to maintain and reinforce its role in supporting the EU’s nuclear energy sector and industry through appropriate financing instruments and guarantees. In particular, the EIB has an important role to play to support the de-risking of nuclear innovation and production capacities, including the development of innovative nuclear reactors, such as small and advanced modular reactors, the maintenance, modernisation, lifetime extension/long-term operation and further development of our conventional nuclear power fleet, and the deployment of the nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure needed to support our nuclear energy ambitions. This is key to ensure that the EU maintains its capabilities and the competitiveness of its domestic industry.  

COMMEND that full consideration be given to economic and technical advantages provided by nuclear technology for the grid system and its contribution to a resilient Energy Union. In order to de-risk nuclear projects, system services and overall system costs should be fully recognized.