European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described Europe’s retreat from nuclear power as a “strategic mistake,” signaling a potential shift in the European debate over energy policy. Speaking at a nuclear energy summit in France, she emphasized the need to reinvest in nuclear technology as part of Europe’s broader strategy for energy security and climate neutrality.
At the meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, von der Leyen announced that the European Union plans to provide financial risk guarantees worth 200 million euros to support private investors interested in developing new nuclear technologies. According to the Commission president, the funds will come from revenues generated through the EU’s emissions trading system. The goal is to reduce financial risks for investors and accelerate the development of advanced nuclear projects across Europe. Von der Leyen pointed to the dramatic decline of nuclear energy in Europe’s electricity mix as evidence of a problematic shift in energy policy. In 1990, roughly one third of the continent’s electricity was generated by nuclear power. Today, that share has dropped to just under 15 percent. She argued that abandoning nuclear energy has weakened Europe’s ability to maintain a stable supply of low-carbon electricity. Nuclear power, she said, provides reliable and affordable energy while producing minimal greenhouse gas emissions. France has long been one of the strongest advocates of nuclear power within Europe, and Macron used the summit to call for stronger financial support for nuclear projects across the EU. The French president stressed that both conventional nuclear plants and innovative technologies require better financing structures. In his view, European energy policy should treat nuclear power and renewable energy on equal footing.
A particular focus of the discussions was the development of so-called small modular reactors (SMRs). These smaller, more flexible nuclear reactors are designed to be cheaper and faster to build than traditional nuclear plants. Macron warned that Europe risks falling behind global competitors if it does not invest more heavily in these technologies. Countries such as the United States, Canada, and China are already leading the race to develop and deploy SMRs, he said, adding that Europe must remain competitive in this strategic field.
The nuclear summit gathered representatives from around 40 countries and international organizations. Among the participants were nine heads of state and government, including leaders from countries such as Rwanda, Morocco, and Belgium. The meeting highlighted the growing global interest in nuclear energy as nations search for ways to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining stable energy supplies.
However, the debate over nuclear energy remains highly controversial within Europe. Germany, which shut down its last nuclear power plants in April 2023, did not send a government representative to the summit. The country’s decision to exit nuclear power remains a cornerstone of its energy policy, even as other European nations reconsider their own strategies.
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider strongly rejected the idea of building new nuclear power plants in Germany. In a radio interview, he described nuclear energy as a “dead end” and defended the country’s decision to phase it out. According to Schneider, Germany has made rapid progress in expanding renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, making a return to nuclear energy unnecessary.
Schneider also criticized the concept of small modular reactors, arguing that they pose similar safety risks as traditional nuclear plants while being less efficient. He further expressed opposition to the idea of using EU funds to support such projects, stating that he does not want German taxpayer money to finance nuclear reactors elsewhere in Europe.
Despite these disagreements, the European debate on nuclear power has begun to shift in recent years. Germany itself has slightly softened its position on nuclear funding at the European level. In May of last year, the German government moved closer to the French stance in discussions over EU financial support for nuclear technologies. German Economic Affairs Minister Katherina Reiche indicated openness to supporting research into SMRs through the EU budget, although this does not imply a return to nuclear power within Germany itself.
The broader context of the debate is Europe’s ongoing effort to balance climate goals, energy security, and economic competitiveness. The transition to renewable energy remains central to EU climate policy, but the challenges of ensuring stable electricity supplies – especially during periods of low wind or sunlight – have led some policymakers to reconsider the role of nuclear power.
For supporters like von der Leyen and Macron, nuclear energy offers a valuable complement to renewable sources, providing steady electricity generation without carbon emissions. Critics, however, continue to highlight concerns about nuclear safety, waste management, and the high costs of building and maintaining reactors.
The outcome of this debate could shape Europe’s energy landscape for decades. With rising global competition in nuclear technologies and increasing pressure to meet climate targets, the question of whether nuclear power should play a larger role in Europe’s future remains one of the most contentious issues in the continent’s energy policy.
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