The steel and chemical sectors have called for the EU’s renewable energy standards to include nuclear-made fuels because all types of clean hydrogen are needed to decarbonize.
The steel, fertiliser, and chemical industries, which are expected to buy clean hydrogen in the future, signed the call to action. The letter discusses RFNBOs, which include electro fuels like hydrogen and ammonia and synthetic hydrocarbons like e-kerosene. These fuels help decarbonize energy-intensive industries including chemicals, steelmaking, and fertilizers.
The EU’s renewable energy directive, which is being updated, regulates RFNBOs and sets targets for renewable transport fuels. The letter’s signatories urge that RFNBOs should investigate low-carbon electricity fuels like nuclear-powered hydrogen.
France Hydrogène, an industrial association, started the letter. Fertilizer Europe, Eurofer, Cerame-Unie, and the European chemicals industry council signed it (CEFIC). The signatories include ArcelorMittal, EDF, and many others. It follows the European Commission’s exemption of EU countries with a low-carbon electricity mix from a renewable hydrogen requirement requiring “additional” renewable energy sources.
Countries with high nuclear power can use existing wind farms and solar plants to power their electrolysers without creating more. The signatories also urge nuclear-derived fuels should be excluded from renewable energy directive targets. .
France Hydrogène wants European electrolysers to use renewable and nuclear electricity to maximize capacity. France wants the EU to recognize nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source alongside renewables. Paris created a “nuclear alliance” with 10 other EU member states last week to improve nuclear supply chain cooperation and promote “shared industrial initiatives” in new generation capacity.
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