EUABC A dictionary on words related to the EU

Nuclear power

: (Photo: These Tides)

The Euratom Treaty was signed at the same time as the Treaty of Rome, in 1957, and gives the EU the drafting policy for around 145 nuclear power stations in the EU Member States. This number was increased by 23 after the accession of the applicant countries in 2004.

Notes

The choice of energy form is a national competence.
The EU Commission supports using more nuclear energy.
Nuclear power is subsidised through Euratom, although this is against the principles of the Internal market and fair competition.

Future

The Lisbon Treaty proposes that Energy becomes a shared competence - EU law would therefore suppress member states' existing legislation and right to legislate in this area. No Member State can be forced to have nuclear power stations at their own territory but they are bound to accept nuclear energy as a part of cross border trade with energy.