The Minister for the Ecological Transition, Teresa Riberahas substantially modified its position with respect to nuclear energy upon its arrival in Brussels. The still vice president assumes in her ‘exams’ to enter the European Commission that This technology can be an important part in the race for decarbonization.
This is reflected in the questionnaire that he had to answer to questions from the different parliamentary committees, and collected by the Efe agency, in which he directly questioned nuclear energy.
Ribera, who has to present her proposals to access the position of vice-president of the Commission, highlights that “with respect to low-emission nuclear energy, it is well known that the Commission launched an industrial alliance in February 2024 to facilitate the cooperation of the market players at EU level” with the aim of “accelerating the deployment of small modular reactors and ensuring a strong supply chain, including a skilled workforce.”
The answer is not a resounding bet on nuclear energybut it is a different position from the one she has had in Spain as a minister. It is perceived, at least, as a facilitator for the promotion of this technology. At this time, and starting in 2027, the Spanish nuclear park will be closed if there are no changes.
This is a calendar agreed between the owner companies (Iberdrola, Endesa, Naturgy and EDP), the Government and Enresa, which is the company in charge of waste management. This situation has been marked by the heavy tax burden, which companies complain about, and which has led them to fight this situation through legal means.
That is to say, although there has been no direct closure approach by Ribera, the high tax costs have made the sector unprofitable. Therefore, the argument that the Government has maintained for years is that it is an orderly closure agreed upon by all parties.
Faced with his new position, Ribera assures with respect to new nuclear projects that “this will increase the production and innovation capacity of the EU to accelerate the deployment of the first SMR projects in the EU.” And he maintains that “maximum efficiency” is needed in the “deployment of different technologies, both those that are mature and new technologies that can support the EU to achieve decarbonization after 2030«.
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