Barroso backs tough EU energy target

Europe should aim for over 50 per cent of EU energy supply to come from “low carbon” sources, such as nuclear power, by 2025, José Manuel Barroso has urged.

The European commission president personally backs tough targets and deadlines to back up proposals for an EU energy policy.

“Personally I am attracted by aiming to have over half the EU’s energy from secure and low carbon sources within 20 years,” he told journalists.

“We are putting this question to the member states: Do they want to have a clear objective within a clear timeframe?”

After debate by national governments, Barroso is expected to come forward with firm legislative proposals, including, if Europe’s capitals give the green light, targets and deadlines.

Barroso stresses that Europe’s leaders will have to stay ahead in the global innovation game to move away from high-carbon fossil fuels – including the development of nuclear power.

“We have to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy using existing and new technology. There should be no taboos on this,” he said.

Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Ireland – countries with freezes or bans on atomic power - could come under pressure from the EU to consider the nuclear option.

Wednesday’s European commission policy paper notes that decisions made in one country have knock on effects across Europe.

Legislation in some EU countries to freeze nuclear power programmes or restrict the technology may, suggests Brussels, be making Europe dependent on gas imports.

“Decisions by member states relating to nuclear energy can also have very significant consequences on other member states in terms of the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, CO2 emissions or exposure to risk,” argues the paper.

Barroso insists that the commission is not seeking to interfere with the right of individual members states to set “their own energy mix”.

“Europe needs to set a framework for different low carbon technologies. For some it is wind power, or solar power for others clean coal and it is true some member states are considering further development of nuclear power.”

“Debate is needed. We should respect differences of view, that are very strong, on this matter. We should not accept taboos, there are new developments and all policies should be considered,” he said.

“The majority of members states are now considering nuclear… this can create interaction problems that is we hope we can have full, frank debate. We are not taking sides on something that is up to member states.”

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