EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has called for a broader use of nuclear power within the European Union. “We will need nuclear energy” he told “Welt am Sonntag”. “Naturally it must be operated safely and securely, but it will remain necessary for many decades”.
Hoekstra argued that electrifying as many sectors of the economy as possible is a key way to strengthen Europe’s economic resilience. “We must combine climate protection, competitiveness and independence, and electrification is a solution that works for all three” he said. “More nuclear, more renewables, more batteries – this protects the climate while ultimately lowering end‑energy costs”.
He said a pan‑European emissions trading system for transport and buildings is essential in this context. The programme, originally slated for 2027 under the “ETS2”, had already been delayed by one year in response to concerns from Eastern European states about rising gasoline, natural‑gas and heating‑oil prices. Hoekstra expressed confidence that ETS2 is politically viable and will be introduced. “Because ETS2 creates the incentive for electrification” he added, “and electrification is accepted by industry across all sectors-even by the more hesitant ones-as a no‑regret strategy”.