Nuclear LTO, vital in meeting EU long-term energy and climate goals

Low capital investment costs, short realization time required for upgrade works and – above all – the possibility to retain reliable and affordable source of electricity at affordable cost are only some of many undeniable advantages of pursuing the long-term operation (LTO) of nuclear reactors and by doing so keeping nuclear energy in the energy mix. However, in a long-term perspective, nuclear LTO has even a more important task to fulfil. If the European Union wants to deliver on its promise and meet its energy and climate goals, nuclear LTO will have to play an indispensable role in the EU's future energy mix. Achieving this objective will require not only major efforts on the nuclear sector's end, but also a firm recognition by the EU and its Member States on an individual basis followed by rewarding nuclear LTO with incentives for the benefits it brings to the system.