WRITTEN QUESTION E-3316/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 November 2002)

Subject: Nuclear energy and energy from renewable sources

On 7 November 2002 at the Institute of Economic Affairs in London, Commissioner Bolkestein made an impassioned case for stepping up the use of nuclear energy, putting forward a number of arguments in the process (Nuclear energy needed more than ever).

In his speech, the Commissioner took no account whatever of the possibility of using energy from renewable sources.

Can the Commission say what is the most environment-friendly type of energy nuclear, or renewables such as hydro, wind or solar in terms of waste substances, health risks in the event of accidents, etc.?

Can the Commission say, for instance, what measures it proposes to take to assist whichever of the two types is more environment-friendly, in its view, and to disadvantage the one which, in its view, is less environment-friendly?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-3308/02 and E-3316/02given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 2003)

As Member of the Commission with responsibility for the internal market, Commissioner Bolkestein is fully entitled to participate in discussions on the future of the European economy in general including latest trends in the utility markets. The London based Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) invited Commissioner Bolkestein to give his views on these issues in a speech on 7 November 2002.

The Commissioner raised among other issues the security of energy supplies the subject of the Commission Green Paper(1) Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply. The Green Paper focused on the Union's structural weakness regarding energy supply and it set out a series of questions for discussion. Commissioner Bolkestein pointed out several trends already observed in the Green Paper, such as the increase of energy dependence from 50 percent now to 70 percent in 2030 if no measures are taken. In his speech to the IEA he also referred to renewable energy resources which still cover only a small part of the Union's energy needs.

The Green Paper opened a debate on the Union's approach to energy supply. Commissioner Bolkestein's speech pointed out various elements which are relevant to the debate on nuclear energy, such as the negligible greenhouse gases emissions which nuclear power produces. It also identified a number of problems which still have to be solved.

On the basis of the discussion stimulated by the Green Paper, in which the Parliament took an active and constructive part, the Commission has proposed a series of measures to improve the security of energy supply in the Union whilst taking into account environmental aspects. These proposals include measures to stimulate the use of renewables in electricity (the Renewable Electricity Directive adopted in 2001)(2), to raise the share of biofuels in the transport sector, to promote combined heat and power and to improve the energy performance of buildings (Directive on the energy performance of buildings adopted in November 2002)(3), as well as the proposed programme Intelligent Energy for Europe.

In addition, the Commission adopted the 6 November 2002 a package of measures, based on the Euratom Treaty, with a view to producing a comprehensive community approach to nuclear safety and security of supply including possible instruments for increased Euratom lendings. These proposals cover the safety of nuclear installations during operation and decommissioning, management of radioactive waste, and trade in nuclear materials with Russia. The same day, the Commission adopted also two proposals in the field of Euratom loans in order to increase the borrowing limit and to ensure the continuing availability of Euratom loans in particular for nuclear safety and decommissioning projects in candidate and other non-member countries.

Commissioner Bolkestein gave his view on the utility markets in general, of which the water sector is a part. He pointed out various instruments available to establish a correct relationship between price, quality and the standard of the service provided. In this context, he referred to a recent paper of the British government on its future water policy Directing the Flow.

Commissioner Bolkestein's speech was limited to sketching out recent developments in the water sector of various Member States, including the role of private operators.

(1) COM(2000) 769 final.

(2) Directive 2001/C of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market, OJ L 283, 27.10.2001.

(3) COM(2001) 226 final.