FLAMANVILLE — Last week, Stéphane Séjourné, the European Commissioner for Industry, visited the Flamanville nuclear power plant in Normandy, aiming to amplify his pro-nuclear message all the way to Brussels. His call is clear: it is time for Europe to recognize the significance of nuclear power in its energy strategy.
“There is a part of Europe — which I believe is now the majority — that considers nuclear energy should be part of our decarbonization logic, which is an economic rationale,”
Stéphane Séjourné expressed to POLITICO while aboard a regional train returning to Paris last Thursday. He emphasized the necessity of adapting to the evolving economic, social, and political contexts surrounding energy production.
A strategic campaign for nuclear energy
Séjourné’s campaign is part of a broader initiative by the French government to reshape the nuclear energy narrative within European institutions. Historically, the European Union has excluded atomic energy from the incentives it offers to renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. However, supporters of nuclear energy are pushing for a change in this stance, arguing that as a low-carbon energy source, nuclear deserves more support from Brussels to contribute effectively to the energy transition.
The French government is relying on Séjourné to position this viewpoint at the heart of the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal, a future EU plan set to be revealed on February 26 by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, aimed at assisting industries in reducing their carbon emissions.
Political dynamics impacting nuclear energy’s future
Séjourné’s efforts are bolstered by recent geopolitical events, including the war in Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis, which have shifted public and political sentiment in favor of nuclear power across Europe, particularly among right-leaning political parties that tend to support nuclear energy initiatives more robustly.
Additionally, the political landscape in Germany, traditionally a staunch opponent of nuclear energy, is currently troubled by a caretaker government and upcoming elections, opening a window of opportunity for nuclear advocates to make their case.
In a show of solidarity, last week, the Medef and business organizations from thirteen other European countries and the United Kingdom jointly signed a declaration calling for increased EU support for the nuclear sector. This new coalition aims to serve as the private sector equivalent of the Nuclear Alliance, where a dozen EU member states, led by France, regularly convene during energy minister meetings in Brussels.
“There is an economic rationale” for revitalizing nuclear energy in Europe, Séjourné argues, believing it to be a competitive advantage. He points out that nuclear electricity is decarbonized and crucial for achieving European sovereignty while helping to lower prices due to substantial production capacity.
However, the recent history of nuclear reactor construction in Europe raises concerns. The latest reactors built or under construction have faced significant delays and cost overruns, prompting skepticism about the industry’s ability to deliver new reactors on time and within budget. The Flamanville reactor, visited by Séjourné, serves as a cautionary tale, having taken 17 years to build instead of the planned five and costing seven times more than initially estimated.
Despite industry representatives asserting they can accelerate progress with clear and unwavering goals, these challenges have led French authorities to exercise caution. While the French government is prepared to approve public funding for six new nuclear reactors, it insists that these must generate electricity at “competitive” prices compared to renewable sources, particularly offshore wind energy, as indicated by Joël Barre, the senior official overseeing the nuclear revival in France.
Even as political winds appear to favor Séjourné, his unabashed advocacy for nuclear energy carries inherent political risks. When asked if he fears alienating some of his fellow European commissioners, the former French foreign minister, closely aligned with President Emmanuel Macron, stated that he has been sent to Brussels “to shake things up.”
“It is important to respect those who hold different views, which is why discussions are necessary,” Séjourné added, with an EU flag pinned to his lapel. “However, that does not prevent a strong and clear stance on this issue from the French commissioner.”