European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a nuclear energy summit in Paris that Europe made a strategic mistake by turning away from nuclear power, noting that the share of nuclear in EU electricity has fallen from about one‑third in 1990 to around 15 percent today.
She argued that reducing reliance on nuclear has left the EU more dependent on imported fossil fuels, exposing it to price volatility and energy security risks, especially amid global crises.
To address this, the European Commission is launching a new strategy to support innovative nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, with a €200 million investment guarantee funded through the EU’s Emissions Trading System.
Von der Leyen emphasised that combining nuclear with renewables would help deliver reliable, low‑carbon electricity and strengthen Europe’s energy independence. The strategy also aims to simplify regulatory frameworks and foster cross‑border cooperation to accelerate deployment of future nuclear projects across the EU.
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