[the_ad id="121217"]

popular articles

EU: “Low-carbon” hydrogen revives differences on nuclear power

European energy ministers discussed the use of nuclear power as a means of producing carbon-free hydrogen at their meeting in Brussels. While France defends the civil atom, some member countries contest this technology.

Please share:

European energy ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 to discuss the recognition of nuclear power as a means of producing decarbonized hydrogen. The representatives of the member countries have divergent opinions on this issue, with France strongly supporting the use of nuclear power and Austria gathering the detractors of this technology. The French Minister of the Economy, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, defended the civil atom and gathered representatives of twelve other EU member states to form the “civil nuclear alliance”. This alliance aims to strengthen industrial cooperation in the nuclear sector, which is considered a strategic technology for achieving climate neutrality.

The ministers recognized that nuclear power is a decarbonized energy source and an important lever for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the Austrian energy ministers have gathered their counterparts from ten other countries to discuss the deployment of renewable energy. The majority of these countries do not consider the civil atom as a green technology and dispute its use as a means of producing decarbonized hydrogen.

France advocates “technological neutrality” that would allow Member States to freely choose the means to achieve climate objectives. The French minister explained that the objective was not to oppose nuclear power to renewable energies, but to consider all the levers that can help reduce emissions. The plan unveiled in mid-March by the European Commission to boost green industries has alarmed Paris, mentioning nuclear power but without giving it the regulatory and financial advantages granted to renewables.

The ministers also adopted their position on legislation to adapt gas networks to the development of hydrogen and biomethane. Negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament are also expected to finalize a law on renewable energy on Wednesday. This law provides for “renewable” hydrogen targets to be met in transportation and industry. France and its allies are calling for equal treatment of renewable hydrogen and “low-carbon” hydrogen produced with nuclear electricity. However, at least seven countries, including Germany, Austria and Spain, do not support this position.

The debate on the use of nuclear power in the production of decarbonized hydrogen is a major concern for European energy ministers, as it is a central issue for achieving the EU’s carbon neutrality goals. Discussions are underway to find a compromise that will reconcile the different points of view of the member countries.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The clean energy technology market could reach a value of $2 trillion by 2035, driven by solar, wind, electric vehicles, and other innovations, according to the latest IEA report.
For two weeks, a power outage caused by jihadist sabotage has affected 19 states in northern Nigeria, paralyzing daily life for millions and weighing heavily on the local economy.
For two weeks, a power outage caused by jihadist sabotage has affected 19 states in northern Nigeria, paralyzing daily life for millions and weighing heavily on the local economy.
Belgium’s ambitious artificial island in the North Sea, designed to centralize renewable energy distribution, sees its costs triple, raising concerns about its financial and environmental future.
Belgium’s ambitious artificial island in the North Sea, designed to centralize renewable energy distribution, sees its costs triple, raising concerns about its financial and environmental future.
The "Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa" report by FSD Africa and Shortlist reveals the potential to create millions of green jobs on the continent by 2030, focusing on key sectors like energy, agriculture, and sustainable mobility.
The "Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa" report by FSD Africa and Shortlist reveals the potential to create millions of green jobs on the continent by 2030, focusing on key sectors like energy, agriculture, and sustainable mobility.
[the_ad id="121209"]
[the_ad id="121211"]
As COP29 approaches, a UN report highlights that current climate commitments will not suffice to limit global warming to 1.5°C, endangering economies and human lives.
By leveraging its nickel resources, Indonesia inaugurates its first battery plant with the ambition of becoming a major player in the electric vehicle supply chain.
By leveraging its nickel resources, Indonesia inaugurates its first battery plant with the ambition of becoming a major player in the electric vehicle supply chain.
A new UN report highlights the urgency of accelerating global emission reductions, with strengthened targets expected by February 2025 to avoid a catastrophic 3°C temperature rise.
A new UN report highlights the urgency of accelerating global emission reductions, with strengthened targets expected by February 2025 to avoid a catastrophic 3°C temperature rise.
The opposing positions of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on climate policy make the American election a crucial moment for the world’s environmental future.
The opposing positions of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on climate policy make the American election a crucial moment for the world’s environmental future.
[the_ad id="121213"]
[the_ad id="121214"]
After years of conflict surrounding the Western Guyanese power plant, an unprecedented agreement has been signed with the Amerindian village of Prospérité, including an endowment fund to support local development.
Ahead of COP29, the Climate Change Committee recommends that the UK commit to an ambitious 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, reinforcing its role in the global fight against climate change.
Ahead of COP29, the Climate Change Committee recommends that the UK commit to an ambitious 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, reinforcing its role in the global fight against climate change.
Ontario announces an ambitious plan to meet a 75% increase in electricity demand by 2050, focusing on nuclear, hydropower, and natural gas.
Ontario announces an ambitious plan to meet a 75% increase in electricity demand by 2050, focusing on nuclear, hydropower, and natural gas.
Up to £10 billion of pre-tax value could be unlocked in the North Sea if the UK adopts an incentive-based tax policy, restoring trust between the government and the oil and gas industry.
Up to £10 billion of pre-tax value could be unlocked in the North Sea if the UK adopts an incentive-based tax policy, restoring trust between the government and the oil and gas industry.
Trump's potential return to the "Schedule F" measure could ease energy project approvals but risks legal delays due to the replacement of technical experts with political appointees.
Denmark will not meet the 90% gas storage threshold by November 1st due to production and maintenance delays, according to the Danish Energy Agency.
Denmark will not meet the 90% gas storage threshold by November 1st due to production and maintenance delays, according to the Danish Energy Agency.
The Vietnamese government has introduced a decree limiting solar electricity surplus sales to 20% of installed capacity. This cap could hinder industrial and commercial adoption of renewable energy.
The Vietnamese government has introduced a decree limiting solar electricity surplus sales to 20% of installed capacity. This cap could hinder industrial and commercial adoption of renewable energy.
China is rapidly advancing in its energy transition, increasing its renewable energy capacities while remaining dependent on liquefied natural gas to support its growing electricity demand.
China is rapidly advancing in its energy transition, increasing its renewable energy capacities while remaining dependent on liquefied natural gas to support its growing electricity demand.
[the_ad id="121219"]
South Korea will raise industrial electricity rates by 9.7% starting October 24, 2024. This measure, which does not affect households, aims to reduce Kepco's growing losses.
An unprecedented surge in electricity demand is testing US infrastructure. Data centers and the manufacturing sector play key roles in this growth.
An unprecedented surge in electricity demand is testing US infrastructure. Data centers and the manufacturing sector play key roles in this growth.
Renewable energy production costs, especially wind and solar, continue to decrease in 2024, surpassing fossil fuels in many markets, according to a report by Wood Mackenzie.
Renewable energy production costs, especially wind and solar, continue to decrease in 2024, surpassing fossil fuels in many markets, according to a report by Wood Mackenzie.
The UK launches a plan to modernize its energy infrastructure, aiming to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and reduce costs by 2050, with a focus on offshore wind, hydrogen, and energy storage.
The UK launches a plan to modernize its energy infrastructure, aiming to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and reduce costs by 2050, with a focus on offshore wind, hydrogen, and energy storage.
Cambodia plans to increase its electricity import capacity by over 50% in two years through agreements with Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand, thereby strengthening its energy security and diversifying its renewable sources.
Uzbekistan is committing $1.3 billion to waste-to-energy projects, aiming to diversify its energy sources and improve waste management in partnership with international companies.
Uzbekistan is committing $1.3 billion to waste-to-energy projects, aiming to diversify its energy sources and improve waste management in partnership with international companies.
Turkey quadruples its wind and solar capacity to 120 GW by 2035, requiring $108 billion in public and private investments to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support a carbon-neutral economy.
Turkey quadruples its wind and solar capacity to 120 GW by 2035, requiring $108 billion in public and private investments to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support a carbon-neutral economy.
The French government presents its first multi-year strategy aimed at increasing low-carbon investments by €110 billion by 2030, thereby supporting the country's ecological and energy transition.
The French government presents its first multi-year strategy aimed at increasing low-carbon investments by €110 billion by 2030, thereby supporting the country's ecological and energy transition.

Advertising