OR nuclear energy is absolutely necessary for the European system, in order to achieve the goals of climate neutrality and strategic autonomy, pointed out the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Nikos Tsafos in his intervention at the meeting of the European Nuclear Alliance held yesterday in Luxembourg on the sidelines of the EU Council of Energy Ministers.

Mr. Tsafos, who participated in the meeting as an observer, said that although Greece does not have nuclear energy, it benefits from the presence of nuclear energy in the European system. He added that we need to look at the total cost of the system and not just the cost of a single technology, which highlights the contribution of nuclear power. He reiterated Greece’s position in favor of technological neutrality to achieve climate goals, while proposing to consider the possible application of nuclear energy in shipping.

The Nuclear Alliance is an initiative of 12 EU countries with nuclear power plants with the aim of establishing a favorable European framework for the development of nuclear energy. The countries argue that nuclear power, alongside renewables, will strengthen the EU’s strategy for growth and competitiveness, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050.

The European Commission recognized in 2023 that nuclear power, and in particular Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs), can play an important role beyond electricity generation, for example in the decarbonisation of sectors where reducing emissions is difficult.

The government’s willingness to participate in the debate on nuclear energy was expressed last June by the Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking of “very interesting developments in nuclear technology, especially regarding small modular reactors”.