The Iran war has pushed energy security back to the top of Europe's agenda, and the EU's chief is calling for a decisive shift back to nuclear power.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that Europe's decision to move away from nuclear energy had been a "strategic mistake." Speaking at a nuclear summit in Paris, von der Leyen endorsed a return to atomic energy and said the EU would back investments in innovative nuclear technologies. "It was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emission power," she said.
The backdrop to the summit is stark. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region have upended global energy and transport sectors, virtually halting activity in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. While EU officials say the situation has not yet reached the crisis levels seen after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the conflict has reignited a debate about Europe's dependence on fossil fuel imports.
"For fossil fuels, we are completely dependent on expensive and volatile imports. They are putting us at a structural disadvantage to other regions," von der Leyen said. "The current Middle East crisis gives a stark reminder of the vulnerability it creates."
Von der Leyen announced that the EU's new energy plans will include a 200-million-euro guarantee to support investment in innovative nuclear technologies. The funding will come from the bloc's Emissions Trading System, which requires heavy polluters to pay for permits. Brussels will also work with member states to align regulatory frameworks and speed up permitting processes.
The EU is focusing in particular on small modular reactors, known as SMRs, which the European Commission would like to see in operation by the early 2030s. SMRs have around a third of the generating capacity of a traditional nuclear reactor but are relatively simple to build and more affordable. Their designs promise enhanced safety features and more efficient operations than traditional plants, though they have yet to be deployed at scale. The EU money is intended to help Europe catch up with the United States and China in the sector.
Europe remains split on atomic power. France, the summit host, is a strong backer. The Netherlands and Sweden are planning to build new nuclear plants, Belgium has abandoned its nuclear phase-out, and Italy is reconsidering its position. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also described the shuttering of nuclear plants as a "serious strategic mistake." Austria, however, has historically opposed atomic power, and Spain remains a strong advocate of renewables as the primary route to greener energy.
EU industry chief Stéphane Séjourné celebrated the shift, saying Brussels had dared to "break certain taboos." "The commission is now fully integrating nuclear power into its industrial strategy and financing instruments. This is a first," he said.
Despite the nuclear pivot, wind and solar are set to dominate the European energy mix for years to come. Building new nuclear capacity inevitably takes time, experts caution. In 2024, renewable energy sources accounted for 47% of electricity production in the EU, compared to 23% for nuclear power, according to Eurostat.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
