EC Chief Announces €200 Mn Push for Nuclear Technology As Energy Security Concerns Grow

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday acknowledged that Europe’s move away from civil nuclear energy in previous decades was a strategic mistake, announcing that the European Union will allocate €200 million to support innovation in nuclear energy technologies.

Speaking at the opening of a nuclear energy summit in Paris, von der Leyen said Europe had erred in abandoning a reliable, cost-effective and low-emission source of electricity at a time when energy security has become a key strategic concern.

She noted that nuclear power remains an important component of the region’s energy mix and stressed that renewed investment is necessary to strengthen Europe’s long-term energy resilience and accelerate the transition to cleaner sources of power. Von der Leyen explained that the €200 million funding package will focus on supporting research and innovation in advanced nuclear technologies, particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These next-generation reactors are seen as a promising solution for producing reliable low-carbon energy while offering greater flexibility, lower construction costs and improved safety features.

According to her, the initiative aims to bring together public and private investments in the development of SMRs and other advanced nuclear technologies as part of the EU’s broader strategy to make such reactors operational by the early 2030s.

Von der Leyen also warned that rising global energy prices, partly driven by tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, have highlighted Europe’s vulnerability and heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels. She said the current situation serves as a reminder of the urgent need to diversify energy sources and strengthen domestic energy production.

“The sharp increase in energy costs demonstrates how exposed Europe remains to external shocks,” she said, adding that investing in nuclear energy could help stabilize electricity supplies while reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports.

She noted that the planned funding will be drawn from the EU’s carbon market, the EU Emissions Trading System, reflecting the bloc’s effort to link climate policy with energy innovation while maintaining a balanced and controlled transition toward a low-carbon economy.

Von der Leyen also highlighted the significant decline in nuclear power’s role in Europe’s electricity generation over the past decades. While nuclear energy accounted for roughly one-third of the European Union’s electricity in 1990, its share has now dropped to around 15 percent, a shift she suggested may not align with the region’s current energy security needs.

The summit in Paris comes at a time of major geopolitical and energy challenges for Europe, as global fuel markets remain volatile amid regional conflicts and economic uncertainty. Policymakers and energy leaders are increasingly reassessing the role of nuclear power as a key component of Europe’s strategy to ensure reliable energy supplies while meeting climate goals.

Participants at the summit emphasised that expanding nuclear capacity, alongside renewable energy sources, could help the EU reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen energy security in the coming decades.