nucleareurope participates in SMR Dissemination Event
On 22 March 2024, nucleareurope Director General and Chair of the European SMR pre-Partnership Steering Committee Yves Desbazeille participated in the European Commission’s European Industrial Alliance for SMRs Dissemination Event.
During his intervention, he spoke about the goals of the alliance in terms of development, demonstration and deployment and its aim to foster the emergence of a full SMR ecosystem in Europe. Here he noted that public engagement was an area not tackled by the Pre-Partnership, but which will be a key topic for the Alliance. He also provided an overview of the timeline and how the Alliance will operate.
The importance of this event was highlighted by the presence of three European Commissioners.
Thierry Breton (European Commissioner for Internal Market) noted the importance of the supply chain, including access to a skilled workforce. He indicated that the Alliance is expected to help develop the supply chain with all partners. And from a financial perspective, he is working hard to mobilize the European Investment Bank. The goal is to develop a technology roadmap this year and a strategic action plan early next year. Regarding the policy framework, he underlined the fact that whilst for many years nuclear was not part of policy agenda it is now deeply embedded in the Net Zero Industry Act.
Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson provided some insights into the importance of this Alliance, underlining the importance of using all zero and low carbon energy solutions at our disposal which includes nuclear technologies. In terms of the potential benefits of SMRs, she noted that they could help bring down the price of electricity. In addition, they can provide heat for industrial process and provide Net-Zero electricity for the production of hydrogen.
In her closing remarks, Iliana Ivanova (European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth) expressed her delight at the fact that Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen highlighted the role of SMRs in terms of decarbonising the energy mix during the Nuclear Energy Summit 2024. She indicated that science is paramount in order to advance these technologies and that there is a need to regain the trust of citizens with evidence and facts. Going forward, she made clear that we need to deliver swiftly on our ambitions because the rest of the world and the climate will not wait for us.
Click here to view the event recording.