France takes center stage as Spain hosts the second day of the informal Energy and Climate Council in Valladolid. A meeting with pro-nuclear governments aimed at reigniting interest in nuclear technology as a viable path to decarbonization took place, a move welcomed by advocates who see it as a practical option for energy security in Europe.
The assembly, chaired by the French Minister for Ecological Transition within the European Union, brought together eleven members of the so-called nuclear alliance and Sweden. They endorsed a roadmap urging recognition of the vital role of nuclear energy in the European energy transition and called on the Commission to reflect this stance in forthcoming texts. The alliance emphasizes technological neutrality and the sovereign right of member states to determine their energy mix.
The alliance argues that this right should be embedded in European policy. The focus shifted toward the European Commission with a demand for a clear pathway to adequately reflect nuclear energy in all communications and policy proposals. Future EU texts addressing climate, energy, and related policies should center on decarbonization targets, energy resources, and technical approaches that accelerate the transition while removing unnecessary barriers and leveraging all low-carbon options available.
Alongside member states of the Nuclear Alliance, a proposed roadmap was presented to the European Commission, outlining concrete steps to restart nuclear power across Europe. The aim is to help France and its European partners maximize the low-carbon, reliable, and essential energy source to meet climate objectives. The request was made in a collaborative spirit, with the belief that nuclear energy can complement other renewables and contribute to energy security.
Belgium and Italy participated as observers, while Teresa Ribera, Spain’s third vice president and Minister for the Ecological Transition, acted as a facilitator. Ribera underscored the obligation to act with a clear mandate, respecting the core principles, avoiding moves that would threaten domestic markets, and ensuring the feasibility of decarbonization targets. The emphasis was on balanced measures that protect national interests while advancing climate goals.
The Spanish vice presidency remains a critical voice within Europe, navigating how to balance the French push to equate nuclear energy with renewables on the decarbonization path. The session underscored the view that pro-nuclear countries and renewable technologies should be seen as complementary rather than adversarial. A unified stance recognizes nuclear and renewables as integral components of the European energy transition and climate strategy.
Ministers and high-level representatives from pro-nuclear countries argued that nuclear energy is essential for the stability and resilience of the electricity grid. They pressed for reforms in the open electricity market and encouraged incorporating nuclear-based generation into contracts for differences. These discussions highlighted ongoing tensions with coal advocacy and other topics that remain points of negotiation within the policy framework.
In tandem with the main meeting, pro-renewable representatives also attended a series of discussions. Knowledgeable observers noted participation from several European states including Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Greece, Malta, Denmark, Estonia, Portugal, the Netherlands, Latvia, Slovenia, Ireland, and Belgium, with Kadri Simson, the energy commissioner, among the key figures. These sessions reflected the broader effort to align diverse national perspectives on europe-wide energy strategy and market design, ensuring that both nuclear and renewable options can cohere within a shared decarbonization pathway, as reported by multiple familiar sources.