The French-led nuclear alliance continues to fight to get more funding for their preferred technology, while the Germans and Austrians continue to argue over whether nuclear power is green or not. Hungary has come out clearly on the side of France in the dispute.
The European industry ministers could not make a unanimous statement on a planned economic competitiveness agreement, and the dispute continues regarding whether EU funds should be used to finance nuclear energy, reports Euractiv.
Like Hungary, France also has a clear position: All technologies that reduce CO2 — be they renewable or nuclear — must be supported.
Notably, France and Hungary both rely greatly on nuclear energy in their countries, which has helped contribute to lower energy costs and nearly zero carbon emissions. Conversely, Germany phased out all of its nuclear power plants under former Chancellor Angela Merkel while Austria banned nuclear power in 1978.
Hungary is building a major new nuclear power plant expansion, Paks II, which will be built by Russia’s Rosatom with the help of France. It is currently the largest economic project being undertaken by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s cabinet.
Germany and Austria are rejecting the nuclear push by France, with two EU member states refusing to sign the competitiveness document. Hungarian Economic Development Minister Márton Nagy said he regrets that they have to argue again about whether nuclear energy is green or not.
Hungary is a member of the French-led nuclear alliance, which demands more support from Brussels for their preferred technology.
