EU Seeks to Amplify Hydrogen Generation through Nuclear Power, with France Taking the Initiative

The European Union (EU) is set to negotiate a law next week that will guide the expansion of renewable energy this decade, but a contentious issue has arisen: the recognition of low-carbon hydrogen produced from nuclear power in the EU's renewable energy rules.

France, leading a campaign, has urged the EU to consider hydrogen produced from nuclear energy as part of its renewable energy targets. This move is supported by several other EU countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, and Hungary. These countries argue that equal incentives for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen are necessary for a fair transition.

However, not all EU member states are on board. At least nine countries, including Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Luxembourg, oppose the inclusion of hydrogen produced from nuclear energy in the EU's renewable energy rules. These opposing countries believe that the EU targets should solely focus on renewable sources like wind and solar to incentivize the massive expansion of renewables needed to cut Europe's reliance on fossil fuels.

One EU official, when asked about the matter, stated, "It's about renewables. Nuclear is not a renewable form of energy." Another official warned against "diluting" the renewables targets.

The EU's current hydrogen production is primarily from CO2-emitting coal and gas. The EU aims to transition to hydrogen production from renewable electricity, with scaling up emissions-free hydrogen being key to the EU's plans to cut CO2 in industries like fertilisers and steel production.

The EU Parliament's lead negotiator has requested a delay in next week's talks due to the lack of clarity in the rules defining "renewable" hydrogen. The European Commission has yet to publish these rules, which has caused some confusion and delay in the negotiations.

France, known for producing approximately 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy, is the most vocal supporter of recognizing hydrogen produced from nuclear energy within the EU renewable energy rules. However, no other specific EU member states are clearly identified as supporters in the available search results.

The negotiations are expected to be intense, with disagreements not only on the recognition of nuclear-powered hydrogen but also on the target percentage of total energy from renewable sources by 2030 (40% or 45%). The aim is to approve the law in the next few months, but it remains to be seen whether the EU will recognize nuclear-powered hydrogen as part of its renewable energy targets.