The European Union is preparing a new strategy aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), with the goal of bringing the technology into operation across the continent by the early 2030s.
As part of the plan, the European Commission intends to introduce a financial guarantee worth 200 million euros, designed to attract private investment into advanced nuclear technologies. The mechanism will be funded through revenues generated by the EU Emissions Trading System and is expected to lower financial risks for investors while mobilizing additional capital for the sector.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen emphasized that SMRs could become an important component of Europe’s future energy system. According to her, the objective is to ensure that the technology is commercially operational within the next decade so it can complement existing large nuclear power plants and support a flexible and secure electricity system.
The Commission also views the development of next-generation nuclear technologies as a strategic industrial opportunity. By strengthening its expertise and manufacturing capacity, Europe could establish itself as a major exporter of advanced nuclear solutions. To achieve this goal, Von der Leyen called on EU member states to work more closely together, highlighting the need for harmonized regulatory rules, faster permitting procedures, and targeted investment in training programs to develop the workforce required for the expansion of the nuclear sector.
While renewable energy sources currently offer some of the lowest electricity production costs in Europe, their output depends heavily on weather conditions. According to Von der Leyen, integrating renewables on a large scale requires expanded electricity networks, additional storage capacity, and greater system flexibility.
For that reason, she argued that nuclear energy remains crucial because it can provide continuous electricity generation regardless of weather conditions. In her view, the most resilient energy system combines nuclear power and renewable sources while relying on modernized grids and storage technologies.
Von der Leyen also pointed to the long-term decline in nuclear power’s share of Europe’s electricity production. In 1990, nuclear energy accounted for roughly one-third of the EU’s electricity generation, whereas today its share has dropped to around 15%. She warned that reducing reliance on nuclear energy had weakened Europe’s strategic position.
The continent produces little oil or gas and remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, leaving it exposed to price volatility and geopolitical disruptions. According to Von der Leyen, recent instability in the Middle East once again highlights the risks associated with such dependence, reinforcing the need for a more diversified and resilient energy system in Europe.
