EU subsidies for nuclear power: the Paris-Berlin conflict

Not all hostages fall in love with their captors, only those who suffer from “Stockholm Syndrome.” The same principle applies in politics, they seem to want to repeat the ten countries that signed the letter against France, which held them captive. In the European Union, the Paris decision to block the Renewable Energy Directive was not well received. Despite previous agreements, Elysée decided to shelve the law on May 23, as it did not contain sufficient incentives for nuclear power. It didn’t take long for the answer to come. Emmanuel Macron was cornered when 10 EU countries, especially Germany, sent a letter to Sweden, which is currently the head of the European Council, demanding that this sensitive file be concluded as soon as possible.

Backlash

The Renewable Energy Directive, proposed by the Commission and discussed at length between the European Parliament and the Council, sets ambitious targets for the expansion of renewable energy sources in order to gradually rid the EU of fossil fuels. According to the latest version, the law will allow renewable energy to reach 42.5% of total energy consumption by 2030 (rather than an insignificant 22%). Although there are other pro-nuclear countries, including Italy, the target has been widely shared after numerous negotiations. Until the French reaction, which did not want to support the agreed terms.

nuclear hydrogen

Paris aims to add more substantial incentives for atomic energy to the dossier. However, according to many countries, nuclear power plants, despite their very low carbon content, do not fall into the category of renewable energy and should be considered separately. Hexagon intervened, seeking at all costs subsidies for its main energy source under a much broader regulation. At the center of the French resistance would also be article 22a, which deals with the fate of hydrogen produced by nuclear power. Although Paris has reached a compromise that does not close the door to this production of 27 blockades, it does not find the conditions regulating its use favorable enough.

Stockholm Syndrome

That’s why a handful of countries have decided to join, signing a declaration asking Sweden, the organizer of the European semester, to stop listening to Paris to enforce its renewable energy law. “We jointly encourage you to bring the review of the Renewable Energy Directive to a long-overdue final conclusion,” the draft announced by the newspaper Politico says. “We want to underline that it is extremely important to continue the final adoption process. The Renewable Energy Directive as soon as possible” . The letter continues: “This is critical to quickly launch the necessary investments and to create legal certainty and predictability for renewable energy investors.” According to one of the diplomats interviewed by the newspaper specializing in Brussels intrigues, the signatories would also play word games: “The text essentially encourages the Swedes not to fall into the Stockholm syndrome by facilitating the French hostage situation”. The signatory countries will be Germany, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, Belgium, Austria, Portugal and Lithuania.

dinner in Potsdam

A dinner is planned for the evening of 6 June between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron. The French president was invited to a restaurant in Potsdam, near Berlin, where he lived with his wife. Given that Sholz has never made a similar gesture to any foreign leader, this would be an exception. All hot topics of Franco-German relations will be on the table. It is assumed that this will also be included in renewable energy sources. At the official level, however, EU ambassadors will need to meet again to review the text before MEPs. With the deadline for European elections being early June next year, the pressure is mounting to reach an agreement as soon as possible. “Hurry” seems to work in Paris’ favour.