The nuclear safety group experts are charged with advising on possible harmonisation of EU national rules and standards on nuclear safety, waste management and decommissioning.

“It is up to each member state to decide whether to have nuclear power or not. But the question of nuclear safety and waste management concerns everybody,” EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs told Nuclear Engineering.

“The high level group, with experts from all member states, will be essential in helping us achieve our common goals in this field.”

Recent endorsements of nuclear power as a means to fight global climate change from the EU have come as a surprise to many environmentalists and European governments alike. The EU’s prior emphasis has been on development of renewable energy sources and carbon capture techniques.

While diplomats say these policies will not get the short shrift, they nonetheless indicate that nuclear power will receive attention as a quick fix to slashing carbon emissions.