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Sustainable and safer energy supply: Commission to invest Euro 1.230 billion inEuropean nuclear research
DN: IP/02/872

Date: 17/06/2002

TXT: FR EN DE NL
PDF: FR EN DE NL
DOC: FR EN DE NL
IP/02/872
Brussels, 17 June 2002
Sustainable and safer energy supply: Commission to invest Euro 1.230 billion in European nuclear research
EU nuclear research will play a key role in ensuring diversified energy sources are available in Europe. The just adopted
Euratom Research Framework Programme sets new guidelines for European nuclear r e search for the 2002 2006 period.
With a total budget of Û 1.230 billion, the programme addresses all key issues to promote sustainable nuclear power inEurope. EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin said: "Safe and clean nuclear energy is a priority for sustainable
develo p ment: it can greatly contribute to meeting Kyoto Treaty requirements. And there is a clear need for EU action to pool
together know-how and resources in state-of-the-art nuclear research at European level ". The programme sets the conditions
for creating a true European Research Area in the nuclear sector and paves the way for more efficient co-ordination ofexisting research activities in Member States. Most of the budget ( Û 750 million) will fund nuclear fusion research. The
programme should create conditions to launch the construction of the large ITER (International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor) facility within the next few years. ITER partners include the European Union, Japan, Ru s sia andCanada. Nuclear fission programme will focus on the manag e ment and disposal of radioactive waste and foster close
research co-operation between EU national waste manag e ment agencies.
"Kyoto provisions for CO2 reduction impose strict requirements to the EU. As the US decided not to ratify the Kyoto

Treaty, the burden for Europe becomes even heavier," added Commissioner Busquin. "The debate on nuclear energy should bekept open so as to include clean nuclear energy in the broader framework of sustainable development, with at the same timean enhanced effort on research to develop viable and renewable energy sources. Policy makers should be able to choose
between several clean energy options"
ITER should demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy generation. International negotiations
with Japan, Russia and Canada are progressing well. "It would be very good if ITER was built in Europe and I am glad to seethat two Member States, France and Spain, have asked to host this facility" stated Mr Busquin. "I hope the US will join theconsortium again and help us develop this promising technology."
As far as nuclear waste management is concerned, each Member State will be in charge of its own strategy and build its own
facilities, but the co-operation with the Commission will ensure a harmonised approach across Europe, and the pooling ofworld-class expertise.
The Euratom programme will also promote joint evaluation of innovative concepts for nuclear energy generation withpotential benefits in terms of safety and low environmental impact. It also includes research on radiation protection, not only
in relation to nuclear energy, but also in medical treatment and industrial applications.
For further information please visit :http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/energy/fi/fi_en.html
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/energy/fu/fu_en.html

Friday, June 21, 2002

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