After nuclear energy was designated as a sustainable form of energy in the EU taxonomy that has been in force since the beginning of this year, France is also putting pressure to also recognize hydrogen produced with nuclear energy as renewable energy. Some EU member states such as Austria, but also the important Germany, are against it, according to a report from the Reuters news agency on Friday.
That is why ministers from France, Poland, the Czech Republic and six other EU countries wrote to the European Commission these days calling on it to include nuclear-produced hydrogen as renewable energy in the EU’s climate goals. Zero-emission hydrogen is fundamentally very important in EU plans to reduce CO2 emissions from fertilizer and steel production.
Most of the hydrogen used in European industry today is produced from carbon-intensive coal and gas. Hydrogen can also be produced with electricity, which is why the EU wants to set sectoral targets for hydrogen from renewable electricity. Nuclear energy is low carbon but not renewable. “Only renewable targets would limit the rate of development of our hydrogen economy,” Reuters says in the letter, which was also signed by Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia and Hungary. France has historically generated about 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear power, although the percentage is lower than usual due to maintenance interruptions. The other signatory states already use nuclear energy or are planning to build the first reactors.
Warning of “dilution” of climate targets
According to the report, in addition to Austria and Germany, Denmark and Luxembourg also reject the plans. Opponents of the idea argue that EU targets should focus exclusively on renewable sources such as wind and solar, to spur the massive deployment of renewable energy needed to reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels. “It’s about renewable energy. Nuclear energy is not a renewable form of energy,” said an EU official, who warned against “weakening” renewable energy targets.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
