Teresa Ribera's Shift on Nuclear Energy and EU Role Signals New Era for SMR Strategy and Supply Chain Goals

Sunita Somvanshi

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented her new cabinet team on September 17, 2024, outlining the structure for her second term, which includes six executive vice presidencies and aims to balance political representation across the EU.

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Photo Source: Google

In the presentation,eresa Ribera was appointed as Vice President for the Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, making her one of the most influential figures in the Commission with responsibility for competition policy and implementation of the European Green Deal.

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Photo Source: Google

Prior to her appointment, Teresa Ribera had to respond to a 16-question questionnaire from the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, addressing crucial topics including energy policy, environmental transition, and industrial strategy.

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Photo Source: Google

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Photo Source: Google

Throughout the questionnaire, Ribera demonstrated her commitment to EU objectives, specifically stating she would "fully subscribe" to following up on Parliamentary resolutions and continuing her predecessor's approach to market competition and business concentration.

Among her key commitments, Ribera notably shifted her stance on nuclear energy, supporting the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) to strengthen EU supply chains and leverage manufacturing and innovation capacities, marking a significant change from her previous anti-nuclear position.

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Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

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Ribera committed to implementing sustainable policies aligned with the European Green Deal, including streamlining renewable project processing times, reducing bureaucratic burdens, and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies to enhance EU competitiveness.

Von der Leyen appointed several other executive vice presidents, including French liberal Stéphane Séjourné for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Finnish Henna Virkkunen for Technological Sovereignty, Romanian Roxana Mînzatu for People, Skills and Preparedness, Estonian Kaja Kallas as High Representative, and Italian Raffaele Fitto for Cohesion and Reforms.

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Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

Photo Source: Google

Von der Leyen emphasized that despite distinct portfolios, all commissioners and executive vice presidents must work closely together due to the interconnected nature of issues, stating "you cannot put reality in little boxes and separate the different topics from each other.

Von der Leyen achieved 40% female representation in her Commission through intense negotiations with member states, significantly improving from an initial 22%, despite most governments ignoring her request to propose both male and female candidates.

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Photo Source: Google

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