Juho Korteniemi: It is worth hopping on a plane to Brussels

Under the so-called Constitution of the European Union, namely Article 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), each EU Member State may choose its own way of exploiting energy sources. The same Article identifies energy efficiency, energy savings and renewable energy as spe­cific areas of promotion.

The promotion of nuclear energy is spec­ified separately in the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). Thus, the promotion of different clean energy production methods has been recorded in two different agreements. In prac­tice, the priorities of TFEU have been promot­ed much more eagerly in recent decades than those of Euratom.

Although the Member States have the right to choose their own energy mix, Brussels nev­ertheless has the power to take decisions on, for example, the energy market, climate, envi­ronmental and financial market policies. The EU has a toolbox to accelerate or slow down the momentum. How the tools are being used depends on political choices.

The Commission’s legislative proposals are often preceded by a Commission communica­tion, which is kind of a public insinuation of what lies ahead. In February this year, the Commission issued a communication on the 2040 climate target, in which it recommended an EU-wide net emission reduction target of 90% by 2040. Last autumn, Finland prepared its own position in advance on this theme. Finland emphasized, among other things, the importance of technol­ogy neutrality, meaning equal consideration of nuclear energy alongside other climate meas­ures, in achieving climate objectives.

The communication is in many ways in line with Finland’s positions. The communication states that all technologies that promote cli­mate neutrality are needed. Nuclear energy is seen to complement renewable energy.

This communication is particularly impor­tant because it is launching a new climate and energy policy legislative cycle in the EU. In the next few years, based on the proposals given by the new Commission to be elected after the EU elections, climate and energy tar­gets for 2040 will be negotiated and key leg­islative proposals will be submitted for their implementation. Based on the Government Programme, Finland has also prepared posi­tions on the promotion of technology-neutral energy policy. We have good tools to influence the formation of the 2040 framework through­out the Government’s term of office.

Finland alone does not lead the way in the EU. An important reference group for Finland is the so-called Nuclear Alliance. This is a group of clearly over ten EU Member States with similar views on the role of nuclear ener­gy, led by France. Recently, more chairs have been needed for meetings, as many countries have edited their views towards nuclear energy in a more positive direction.

Finland’s priorities are best taken into ac­count in the EU when we act as Team Finland. Many Finnish actors in the nuclear energy sector are already active in the EU tables: as­sociations, companies, research institutes and universities, etc. This is important be­cause many voices are needed to make an impact in a large community. According to my understanding, the official messages of the state and the messages of the actors in the sector are essentially similar at the Brussels tables.

I encourage all Finns to be active towards the EU. It is worth hopping on a plane to Brussels.

Juho Korteniemi

Deputy Director General

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

The editorial has been published in ATS Ydintekniikka magazine 1/2024. 

Link to the ATS Ydintekniikka 1/2024