Lawmakers reintroduce nuclear in EU's net-zero industry list
Lawmakers reintroduce nuclear in EU's net-zero industry list
Nuclear power was reintroduced as one of the preferred green technologies to revitalise Europe's industry, according to a political agreement struck by lawmakers in the European Parliament on the bloc's proposed Net-Zero Industry Act.
Initially, the European Commission proposed two lists, one of which included so-called “strategic” technologies subject to a 40% domestic manufacturing target and fast-track permitting procedures.
However, this list did not feature nuclear power, a move that sparked outrage among its advocates on social media, particularly in France.
However, things took a new turn on Tuesday.
The compromise list now includes renewable energy technologies, nuclear fission and fusion technologies, energy storage, carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen transport infrastructure, and electrolysers, among others.
Excellent news
For countries with a lot of money to spend and a lot of time to spare
The best time to build a nuclear reactor was 30 years ago, but I am sceptical that we can build the storage capacity to fully and reliably decarbonise with renewables while similtaniously decarbonising transport. This on a global scale using extremely sought after rare earths that we posess relatively little of.