France and Sweden cooperate in the construction of new reactors
France and Sweden want to work together on the construction of new nuclear power plants in the future. The energy ministers of both countries signed a declaration of intent in Brussels on Tuesday with which they intend to promote the construction of new reactors and research into nuclear technologies.
In contrast to Germany, France and Sweden are relying heavily on nuclear energy to replace coal-fired power plants and reduce CO2 emissions. The announced cooperation shows that nuclear energy is "back in Europe", said French Energy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, welcoming the joint declaration. The paper provides for cooperation in the construction of new plants, the fuel cycle and research, particularly on small modular reactors (SMRs).
Sweden is "celebrating a major comeback as a nuclear power nation", said Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch. Nuclear energy is "an essential component if we want to move away from fossil fuels", Busch continued. Additional reactors could secure the power supply in order to electrify the transport sector and heavy industry, among other things.
According to Minister Pannier-Runacher, Paris is also hoping to strengthen the French nuclear industry. France itself plans to build six new plants in the coming years. Sweden, for its part, announced "massive" investments in nuclear energy in November, with two new reactors already firmly planned.
Under the planned reform of the European electricity market, state subsidies for nuclear power plants will continue to be permitted in the EU in future. The German government had argued in favor of exclusively promoting renewable energies, but was outvoted. In Germany, the last three nuclear power plants were taken off the grid in April.
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Source: www.ntv.de
