The debate on energy production from the latest generation of nuclear power At the European level, nuclear energy is experiencing a phase of renewed interest, characterised by several significant developments. First, the European Union has included nuclear energy in the taxonomy for energy technologies supporting the Green Deal, recognising its potential role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. In addition, there is growing support for small modular reactors (SMRs). In December 2023, the European Parliament adopted a report calling for a specific industrial strategy for the development of SMRs in the EU, with 409 votes in favour. This indicates a clear interest in more flexible and potentially safer technologies.
Some Member States, such as France, Finland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, are planning or building new nuclear reactors, showing a renewed commitment to this energy source. The European nuclear industry is also actively involved in the development of Generation IV reactors, with projects such as Alfred and Lfr-AS-200 currently underway. However, the debate is not without challenges. Concerns remain about safety and the management of nuclear waste. The European Union is working to improve safety standards and waste disposal practices, but this remains a sensitive issue. Italy has also seen a renewed interest in this energy source in recent years, despite past referendums that led to the abandonment of this technology. In May 2023, the Chamber of Deputies approved a motion committing the government to consider nuclear energy in the national energy mix. In addition, the government has established a “National Platform for Sustainable Nuclear Energy”, which aims to bring together institutions, research bodies and private companies to assess the possibilities of a return to nuclear power. According to some polls, Italian public opinion seems to be more open to nuclear energy than in the past, with approximately 51 percent of respondents in favor of building new-generation nuclear power plants.
At the level of EU There remains a diversity of approach among Member States. While France maintains a strong commitment to nuclear, other countries such as Germany have abandoned nuclear by closing existing plants. The European Union is also funding nuclear research through programs such as Euratom, with a budget of €1,38 billion for the period 2021-2025. Certainly, the geopolitical situation and the energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine have changed the tenor of the debate on nuclear energy in Europe, characterized by a renewed interest in this energy source as part of the solution for decarbonization. However, technical, economic and political challenges remain to ensure sustainable development on a large scale.
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