France’s nuclear industry is at a critical juncture and Paris is leading a “pressure campaign” to put nuclear power on the same level as renewables on the EU’s climate agenda, seeking to capitalize on the European bloc’s upcoming plans to strengthen the greens. industry, Politico notes in its analysis.

France argues that if the EU’s ultimate climate goal is to be carbon neutral, nuclear power plants, which emit negligible amounts of carbon dioxide, should play a key role alongside renewables.

But this advance – and the attempt to redefine nuclear power as a “green” technology – goes hand in hand. French strategy to strengthen its position in access to cashto which the imminent implementation of the European bloc’s giant industrial strategy will lead, six diplomats told Politico.

“They are trying to place nuclear energy where it has nowhere (…) lock up politicians,” an EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity, adding that “everyone is a little annoyed by the French – they are very aggressive.”

Asked if France expects nuclear power to be considered a “clean technology”, a senior French energy ministry official told Politico that EU sustainable investment rules recognize nuclear power as a technology that facilitates the energy transition. “We think this question has already been answered,” he adds.

Small win, big problem

Last week, Paris scored its first victory over EU regulations on hydrogen from renewables.

Unlike most other countries, French hydrogen producers will be able to consider the electricity they take from the grid as renewable if they sign a long-term contract with an existing renewable energy supplier. The exception was made because 70% of France’s electricity comes from low-emission nuclear power..

“pink” hydrogen

But this push for atomic hydrogen – also known as “pink” or “low-carbon” hydrogen – is just “one part of France’s broader effort to include nuclear power in the EU’s green envelopes,” Politico comments, adding that so far Paris did not turn out the way we would like.

In late January, France attempted to include low-carbon hydrogen in a renewable energy cooperation partnership with Ukraine, but the proposal was ultimately rejected.

In February, he joined eight other EU countries in advocating for the inclusion of “pink” hydrogen in the EU’s renewable energy directive, arguing that low-emission hydrogen should help achieve the bloc’s goals for green transport and clean industry. by 2030.

When it failed to achieve its goal, France accused Spain and Germany of breaking their promises to recognize the role of “pink” hydrogen.

individual needs

The rise comes as experts predict France’s electricity demand will rise sharply as the country transitions to electricity to meet its climate goals, but its aging nuclear equipment wanes.