nucleareurope discusses State aid at European Nuclear Young Generation Forum
From 2 to 6 June 2025, nucleareurope Junior Legal Advisor Ursula Patricia Caturla Rodríguez participated in the Zagreb-held European Nuclear Young Generation Forum 2025. The event included keynote speeches, panel sessions, interactive workshops, site tours, technical sessions as well as formal and informal networking opportunities for young nuclear professionals.
In the framework of the forum, Ursula gave a presentation on the topic of State aid as a financing mechanism for nuclear projects in the EU. After detailing the legal approach in the EU, where State aid is generally prohibited but the framework provides for some exemptions, she highlighted the role of State aid in nuclear projects. She specifically stressed that the role of nuclear energy in achieving the EU’s climate, environmental, and sustainability objectives justified State aid approval for these projects.
“State aid serves as a solution to tackle the capital-intensive nature of nuclear projects by ensuring revenue stability and mitigating market risks whilst promoting the development of nuclear technologies. However, for State aid to continue effectively supporting the nuclear sector, there is a need for flexibility in State aid procedures, faster approval timelines, and adaptation to the unique financial requirements of these projects.” Noted Ursula, adding that policy adaptations will be key to ensure that the EU remains a leader in low-carbon technologies.
Ursula concluded her presentation by calling on EU institutions to provide a technology neutral legal framework, which guarantees the timely approval of State aid for nuclear projects, to allow for the rapid deployment of new nuclear capacities which will be essential to the energy transition.
As part of the event, Ursula also participated in the Innovation for Nuclear Europe (#I4NE) jury. As a judge, she evaluated young European national nuclear project champions competing for the prize, which crowns the best project at European level.