The European business nuclear alliance, initiated by the Movement of the Enterprises of France (Medef – Mouvement des Entreprises de France), has published a joint declaration committing to strengthening the European nuclear industry.
The Alliance comprises 14 signatory federations, representing 19 nationalities. Its other members include Belgium’s VOB FEB, the Bulgarian Industrial Association, Croatia’s HUP, the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, Danish Industry, Confederation of Finnish Industries, Confederation of Hungarian Employers and Industrialists, Italy’s Confindustria, Polish Confederation Lewiatan, Romania’s Concordia, Slovakia’s National Union of Employers, and Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. The Confederation of British Industry is also a member but says its signature is “relevant for all non-EU related topics”.
The declaration says the signatories “welcome the new momentum for nuclear energy that is emerging at European level, including the recognition of the role of nuclear energy at EU level in the Net Zero Industry Act, 2040 Climate objective Communication, as well as the launch of the SMR Industrial Alliance”. However, “it is time for Europe to build on these breakthroughs and go further”.
Alliance members identified four priority areas, in line with the development of the Alliance Clean Industrial Deal and in anticipation of the next steps to achieve the European economic and climate objectives. These are:
- To provide a clear and supportive institutional framework, removing barriers and fully applying technology neutrality;
- To secure access to private and public funding;
- To accelerate the industrialisation of the sector and foster a robust nuclear ecosystem in Europe: and
- To support the development and renewal of skills.
The declaration states: “Nuclear energy cannot remain on the sidelines of European strategies. On the path to a decarbonised economy and energy system, all technologies that result in the reduction of emissions must be deployed. It is now urgent to set up the framework and the concrete actions for a transition that fully leverages the complementarity between nuclear, renewable energies and other low-carbon technologies.”
