EU Seeks Nuclear Comeback as Von der Leyen Calls Phase-Out a “Strategic Mistake”

CMB News | Energy & Policy | March 10, 2026

The European Union is seeking to revive nuclear power as part of its long-term strategy to ensure affordable and climate-friendly electricity for industry and households. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe’s gradual retreat from nuclear energy over the past decades had been a “strategic mistake” and called for renewed investment in next-generation technologies.

Speaking at the second international summit on nuclear energy in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, von der Leyen emphasised that nuclear power is experiencing what she described as a global “renaissance”.

“Over the past years, we have seen a worldwide renaissance of nuclear energy. Europe wants to be part of that renaissance,” she said.

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Declining Share of Nuclear Energy in Europe

Despite the renewed political interest, the share of nuclear power in Europe’s energy mix has fallen significantly over the past three decades as several countries phased out reactors or reduced investments in new plants.

According to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report, nuclear construction activity worldwide remains limited.

Global Nuclear Reactor Developments (2025)

Indicator	Number
Reactors connected to grid	4
Total new capacity	4.4 GW
Reactors shut down	7
Capacity retired	2.8 GW

Of the four new reactors that entered operation in 2025:

Country	New Reactors
China	2
India	1
Russia	1

Meanwhile, no commercial nuclear reactor is currently under construction anywhere on the American continent.

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Europe’s Limited Construction Pipeline

Within the European Union, only one nuclear reactor is currently under construction:

Plant	Country	Construction Start
Mochovce-4	Slovakia	1985

The long construction timeline illustrates one of the major challenges facing nuclear energy projects in Europe: regulatory complexity, financing hurdles, and political uncertainty.

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EU Strategy Focuses on Small Modular Reactors

To address these challenges, the European Commission plans to support the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

SMRs are smaller nuclear reactors designed to be manufactured in standardised modules and assembled on site. Proponents argue that this approach could significantly reduce construction time and cost compared with traditional large-scale nuclear plants.

Von der Leyen said the EU wants SMR technology operational by the early 2030s.

Key Objectives of the EU Nuclear Strategy

Goal	Description
Accelerate SMR development	Deployment early 2030s
Harmonize regulation	Easier cross-border deployment
Mobilize investment	Public guarantees for private capital
Strengthen supply chain	Fuel, technology and skills ecosystem

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Investment Support for New Nuclear Technologies

To stimulate investment in nuclear innovation, the European Commission announced financial backing for new technologies.

The EU will provide €200 million in guarantees to support investments in advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs.

The goal is to reduce investment risks and encourage additional private capital to enter the sector.

Von der Leyen emphasized that the strategy goes beyond SMRs alone.

“We must strengthen the entire nuclear ecosystem – from fuels to technology, from supply chains to skills,” she said.

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Europe Aims to Become Nuclear Technology Hub

The European Commission believes that Europe has the technological capacity to become a global leader in next-generation nuclear technologies.

The strategy aims to position Europe as a global center for advanced nuclear power, competing with major nuclear developers in Asia and North America.

However, analysts note that turning this ambition into reality will require:

• faster approval processes
• stronger industrial supply chains
• long-term investment certainty
• public acceptance of nuclear technology

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Outlook

Europe’s renewed interest in nuclear power reflects growing concerns over energy security, electricity prices, and the need for stable low-carbon energy sources.

Whether the continent can successfully launch a new generation of nuclear projects will depend on regulatory reform, financial commitments, and technological breakthroughs in modular reactor design.

If successful, nuclear power could once again become a central pillar of Europe’s energy strategy in the decades ahead.