Nuclear Energy Remains Central to EU's Climate and Energy Strategy, Expert Says

Nuclear energy continues to hold a critical place in the European Union’s energy portfolio, accounting for about 22.8 per cent of total electricity generation, according to Andreas Poullikkas, the former chairman of the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA).

In a detailed analysis, Poullikkas emphasised that despite significant differences in national energy policies, the EU firmly recognises nuclear power as vital for ensuring energy security and advancing decarbonisation objectives. “The European Union considers nuclear energy a fundamental element of its energy transition strategy, particularly in the journey toward climate neutrality and energy independence,” he said.

While some countries, notably Germany, have phased out their nuclear power plants, others such as France, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Finland are actively investing in new nuclear projects. “They see it as necessary both for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and for maintaining a stable and reliable power supply,” Poullikkas explained.

The European Commission has designated nuclear fission as a ‘transitional technology’ within the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Investments, which enables the funding of nuclear projects under strict conditions related to safety and waste management. “The EU’s approach to nuclear energy is complex,” Poullikkas observed. “There are major disagreements among Member States, especially when it comes to safety concerns, construction costs, and radioactive waste management,” he added.

On one hand, Poullikkas noted that nuclear energy provides a stable, abundant, and carbon-free power source. On the other hand, he said, persistent public apprehension surrounds its safety and long-term viability. “Certain countries are pushing nuclear forward, while others are resisting – largely due to lingering fears and financial concerns,” he said.

Nonetheless, Poullikkas underscored that the EU views nuclear energy, alongside renewables, as a cost-effective means of meeting the rising demand for low-carbon electricity. He also pointed to the promise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), an emerging technology in the nuclear sector. “The EU sees SMRs as a promising technological solution for the green transition, especially when integrated with renewables,” he stated.

SMRs, typically producing up to 300 megawatts compared to over 1000 megawatts for conventional reactors, offer several advantages, Poullikkas explained. “They offer unique advantages such as flexible installation, innovative safety features, ease of integration into energy systems, and lower infrastructure requirements,” he said.

However, SMRs are not without challenges. “Public acceptance is a major hurdle – fear of nuclear energy remains strong. Economically, SMRs require mass production to become cost-efficient, and there are regulatory challenges too, as approval requires harmonisation of European safety standards,” Poullikkas said.

Despite these obstacles, countries including Sweden, Romania, Poland, and Estonia are pushing ahead with SMR initiatives, while firms such as EDF and Rolls-Royce are making major investments in the technology. To further speed up development, the EU has launched the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, which aims to bring the technology to market by the early 2030s.

“This alliance focuses on selecting safe technologies, boosting the European supply chain, removing investment barriers, promoting research, and informing civil society,” Poullikkas said. He also pointed out that SMRs have been included in the Net Zero Industry Act and recognised by the European Parliament as crucial to the EU’s energy transition strategy.

In parallel, the EU is also committing significant resources to the development of nuclear fusion technology. “Fusion energy is regarded as a future, sustainable, and safe power source with the potential to meet global demand. It differs from fission as it produces no long-lived radioactive waste and is accompanied by fewer safety concerns,” Poullikkas explained.

He further stressed the EU’s leadership role in global fusion research, with efforts focused on overcoming scientific and technical barriers, training a new generation of experts, and pursuing the vision of clean energy. “If these technical challenges are overcome, fusion could become the primary energy source in the second half of the 21st century,” he said.

Concluding his analysis, Poullikkas reaffirmed the EU’s strategic commitment to nuclear energy as a cornerstone of its broader efforts to secure energy supply and achieve climate neutrality. “The development of SMRs is being encouraged alongside renewables, but the final decision to adopt them rests with each Member State,” he said. “At the same time, the EU is investing vigorously in fusion research, aiming for a future of clean, safe, and abundant energy,” Poullikkas concluded.

By fLEXI tEAM