A public hearing for Dan Jørgensen, the nominee for Commissioner for Energy and Housing, was held at the European Parliament in Brussels. Daniel Obajtek, the ECR Group’s coordinator on the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE), asked the Danish politician questions.
Daniel Obajtek stated that “investments in energy generation sources mean cheaper energy and are needed now more than ever to boost the competitiveness of EU industry.”
The Polish politician recalled that in 2022, Dan Jørgensen had publicly stated that he would “do everything in his power to ensure that nuclear energy is not recognized as green.” In light of this, he asked the commissioner-designate whether he would change his mind and fight for nuclear energy to be recognized as such. “How specifically will you support the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Europe?” the PiS MEP asked. He added that the first SMR is already under construction in Canada and expressed hope that Europe would not remain merely at the analysis stage on this issue.
Daniel Objatek also addressed the issue of capital, which European companies lack. He noted that the American and Chinese economies are growing very rapidly because companies there have access to capital. “Will you support a solution that assists companies that are emitters and pay for emission allowances—the so-called ETS—by allowing the zero-emission investments made by these companies to be deducted from their ETS costs?” asked the MEP. He noted that this would serve as an additional mechanism to drive rapid investment in energy production.
Dan Jørgensen confirmed that in 2022 he served as a minister in Denmark, a country that does not support nuclear energy, does not have it, and will likely never adopt it. “In the European Union, however, we are united in our diversity on this issue,” he stated. “The treaties clearly state that the energy mix is a matter for individual countries, and I respect that choice,” he commented. He noted that 12 EU countries have nuclear power—amounting to about 100 power plants—and more are being built. “It’s a good thing that we’ll never be in a situation where countries like Luxembourg, Austria, or Denmark will have to build nuclear power plants, just as we won’t force anyone to dismantle them,” he explained. He stated that if he becomes a commissioner, he will implement the policies adopted by the European Union, even if he does not support all of their elements, as is the case with nuclear energy.
Responding to a question about small modular reactors (SMRs), the Danish politician stated that if such recommendations are made, “we will discuss them.” “The industry itself is eager for investment in this area, but analyses are still underway within the industry in close cooperation with the Commission’s services, so it is still too early for me to comment in detail,” he said. He added that he would carry out the instructions provided by President von der Leyen, as outlined in the letter setting out his tasks, and would work intensively on their implementation.
Dan Jørgensen agreed with Daniel Objatek that the energy sector requires massive investments. “If I am confirmed as commissioner, I will present a plan for clean investments,” he noted. He listed the priorities as investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, nuclear energy, and physical infrastructure—particularly grids, interconnections, and the physical infrastructure for hydrogen and carbon transport.
“We must act in an orderly, analytical manner, where we will not create separate plans for individual sectors, but will have a single, unified plan that takes a global perspective into account,” concluded the candidate for Commissioner for Energy and Housing.
