THE UK will pay 12.5million to a nuclear research center in France, after signing a pledge with 12 EU member states with an interest in nuclear energy.
Edward Davey, UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said: “It is vital for our economy that we work with our European partners to make the EU a leading destination for investment in new low-carbon energy infrastructure.
“This communiqué signals a move to a stronger, better and closer working relationship between Member States on nuclear energy. By working together to enable low carbon energy projects to come forward we will go some way to reducing the EU’s carbon emissions and ensuring greater energy security”.
John Hayes, Minister of State for Energy, said: “Nuclear power not only provides vast amounts of low carbon electricity, but thousands of skilled jobs too. We’ve been clear on its role in a UK energy mix and I’m pleased that a significant number of European nations have today signalled the importance they attach to nuclear power.
“It’s vital that we cooperate on issues like safety and research and development. We are putting our money where our mouth is by confirming our contribution of £12.5m to the Jules Horowitz research reactor in France and guaranteeing the UK access rights to the project.”
The Czech Republic will now take forward coordination of this group of Member States and will host the next informal Ministerial meeting next year.