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European Commission presents nuclear illustrative program

Xinhua, April 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission on Monday presented the nuclear illustrative program, focusing on investments related to post-Fukushima safety upgrades and to the safe operation of existing nuclear power facilities.

In addition, the program highlights the estimated financing needs related to nuclear power plants' decommissioning and to the management of radioactive waste and spent fuel.

It also provides a basis for discussion and aimed to include all stakeholders, especially civil society, in the discussion on nuclear energy trends and related investments for the period up to 2050, said a press release. While European Union (EU) member states are free to decide their energy mix, the Energy Union Strategy and the European Energy Security Strategy stresses that member states who decide to use nuclear energy in their own energy mix to apply the highest standards of safety, security, waste management and non-proliferation as well as diversify nuclear fuel supplies.

"Based on member states input, the nuclear illustrative program of the Commission provides a useful photograph of the whole lifecycle of nuclear power in Europe: from the front-end of fuel fabrication, to safety upgrades and long-term operations, to the back-end of the cycle, including waste management and decommissioning," said Maros Sefcovic, European Commission Vice-President responsible for energy union.

"Five years after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi, Europe has learnt the lessons. The nuclear illustrative program brings together for the first time an overview of all investment aspects of nuclear energy in a single document," added Miguel Arias Canete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy.

The European Commission also presented a recommendation to member states concerning the application of Article 103 of the Euratom Treaty on the same day.

The recommendation required member states to have the Commission's opinion on agreements with third countries on nuclear matters before concluding them, aiming to make that process more efficient by clarifying the key aspects and requirements that member states have to take into account when negotiating such agreements, according to the press release. Endit