2023-05-16 19:28:00
Emmanuel Macron has given his instructions: in Brussels, France and its nuclear allies are extending the negotiation on the use of the atom to decarbonize the industry.
Par Emmanuel Beretta
© Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via AFP
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After having examined the subject in all its aspects, after having listened to his ministers – Agnès Pannier-Runacher and Bruno Le Maire – after having heard the opinion of his diplomats and taken note of the recommendations of his Elysian advisers, Emmanuel Macron took his decision: as it stands, the “Swedish compromise” on the European directive on renewable energies is not acceptable. We must extend the discussion on the so-called RED III directive, whose article 22b, devoted to the decarbonization of industry, is problematic for countries with nuclear power. Too bad for the anti-nuclear, starting with Germany and Spain.
This is the line that the French representative will defend, on Wednesday May 17, within Coreper I – one of the Council’s decision-making bodies –, with the support of many nuclear countries. To do well, France had, moreover, opportunely met, the day before in Paris, the “nuclear club”, of which it is the initiator. A club now extended to more than half of the Member States, even if Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium are only “observer” members.
“We are going to do both renewable and nuclear”
Not everything is to be thrown away in the RED III directive. France will subscribe to the overall objective of an energy mix made up of 42.5% renewable energies by the end of 2030. The step is very high, but Paris accepts it. On the other hand, the sub-objective of article 22b concerning the decarbonization of industry is untenable: 60% of renewables reduced to 40% under certain exceptional conditions by 2030. “As it stands, article 22b does not allow the use of nuclear power to decarbonize the industry”, indicates a French source. The discussion must be prolonged “so that all the nuclear States find themselves there”, one indicates in Paris.
READ ALSOThe new nuclear battleThe derogation clauses which appear in the “Swedish compromise” – proposed on March 30 – for low-carbon hydrogen (nuclear-based) were not deemed relevant. Germany is trying to limit the use of French nuclear power because it still fears that Paris will not meet its renewable energy targets. “I refuse to have a hemiplegic thought: we are going to do both renewable and nuclear. One does not prevent the other, on the contrary, they are complementary energies”, confided to the Point Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition.
Admittedly, France did not reach 23% renewable energy in 2020, contrary to its 2008 commitments. But, in truth, this promise made by Jean-Louis Borloo, then Minister of Ecology, was not not tenable. The services of the DG Energy had warned that the deployment of solar and wind power allowed France to envisage a share of between 19 and 20% in 2020. And that is exactly what happened: in 2020 , France posted 19.1%. “By voluntarism, Borloo accepted the objective of 23%. And then, in 2010, we were in the French presidency of the Union, Nicolas Sarkozy did not dare to go back, ”reports a witness at the time.
Preparing for the next shot
Still, France has deployed its renewable energies at the same pace as the Germans and has even afforded itself the luxury of going slightly ahead in 2021… In other words, Paris has nothing to learn from Robert Habeck, the ecologist who holds the post of Minister of Ecology and Climate. Furthermore, the principle of technological neutrality is included in the Treaty of Lisbon and deserves to be respected. What is important is to achieve the decarbonization of the European continent and not to favor one path – renewables – or another low-carbon source – nuclear.
READ ALSOHydrogen, the great illusion? There is still some time before the next Energy Council, on June 19 in Luxembourg. Sweden – a nuclear country – would have liked to conclude this agreement under its presidency. The Spaniards, who take over on 1is July, are fiercely opposed to nuclear power, which they perceive as a competitor to their renewable resources, which could boost their competitiveness. They will certainly not be very helpful, except on the reform of the electricity market, where their interests join those of France – against Germany, once again. It’s a risk to take.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, meanwhile, is also preparing the next move. As soon as the objectives of RED III are set in stone, it intends to send the Commission a very explicit letter. This overall objective of 42.5% renewables in Europe by 2030 is not supported by a roadmap. “If we want to achieve this, if it is a real objective, and not a purely declamatory exercise, the Commission must draw up the roadmaps and must support the acceleration of the sectors with funding,” confides a source at the Ministry of the energy transition.
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