(fra Kommisjonens meddelelse 10.3.2026)

Homegrown, affordable and clean energy supports our decarbonisation, competitiveness and resilience objectives as indicated in the Clean Industrial Deal ( 1 ) and Action Plan for Affordable Energy ( 2 ).

For some EU Member States, nuclear energy is an important component of decarbonisation, industrial competitiveness, and security of supply strategies. The updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) indicate that installed nuclear capacity is anticipated to increase. Nuclear power plants supply clean power, suitable for low-carbon baseload electricity, also enhancing system integration and providing flexibility facilitating further roll-out of other clean technologies. These benefits accrue to the whole EU energy system.

As outlined in Commission’s 2040 climate target impact assessment ( 3 ), all zero- and low-carbon energy solutions are needed to decarbonise the energy system. Projections show that zero- and low-carbon energy sources will generate over 90% of electricity in the EU in 2040, primarily from renewables, complemented by nuclear energy. Delivering Member States’ plans regarding nuclear energy will require significant investments until 2050, both for lifetime extensions of existing reactors and the construction of new large-scale reactors. Additional investments are needed for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) and in fusion for the longer-term future.

The choice of the energy sources in the energy mix, including the decision to use or not use nuclear energy, remains within the remit of each Member State in accordance with the EU Treaties ( 4 ). Some EU countries are setting nuclear programmes extending operating life of existing reactors and announcing new builds. Finally, some are considering including nuclear in their energy mix for the first time. The outlook of nuclear energy share in the EU electricity production depends on long-term operations of existing reactors.

The EU industrial leadership in nuclear energy has firm roots in fundamental commitments: mastering of the entire fuel cycle, fostering innovative start-ups ecosystems and conducting leading-edge research, all while ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards, of safe and responsible management of radioactive waste, high-class education and training, as well as promoting transparency and public engagement. Further developing essential infrastructure for spent fuel and radioactive waste management, such as deep geological disposal facilities, as well as integrating circular economy principles are therefore critical components in all nuclear programmes. Future industrial planning and investments in nuclear capacity and research infrastructure must be closely aligned with advances in these areas.

Diversification is key at the EU level; scenarios incorporating varying levels of nuclear energy deployment, based on Member States decisions, may support the transformation of our energy system to accomplish both the decarbonisation of our economy and the strategic energy independence of our continent. In order to foster economic security of the EU, the Commission has presented the Roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports outlining measures to diversify energy supplies and reduce dependence on external sources ( 5 ).

This nuclear illustrative programme of the Commission ( 6 ) provides quantitative and qualitative information on the scope of investment needs across the nuclear energy life-cycle, pinpointing areas where Member States’ action should be prioritised. As illustrated below, achieving the objectives set out by some Member States will require significant investment, blending public and private financing. Clear policy frameworks to de-risk projects will be crucial in mobilising the necessary resources.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) issued its Opinion on 4 December 2025 ( 7 ) on this nuclear illustrative programme ( 8 ), in line with the Euratom Treaty. Adopted by a large majority, the Opinion affirms that nuclear energy plays and will continue to play a crucial role in decarbonising the European continent, especially given that the EU needs to consolidate its strategic autonomy in energy and technology. 

The EESC Opinion calls on the Commission to set out regulatory and financial measures supporting the planned investments in Member States. Furthermore, the EESC has recommended a technology-neutral approach across all instruments supporting investments in clean technologies, as well as speeding up investments through specific measures, such as a streamlined State aid process, fiscal measures, licensing processes, and faster decisions at the EU and national levels (including a commitment to open up access to EU cohesion funds when Member States choose to do so and long-term financing). Moreover, the EESC has expressed recommendations pertaining to hydrogen, the role of nuclear energy in system integration, and SMRs.

The Commission welcomes the Opinion and recommendations, which align with the Commission’s recent and upcoming policy initiatives. In 2025, the Commission adopted a new State aid framework accompanying the Clean Industrial Deal (CISAF), part of which streamlines State aid supporting manufacturing capacity in clean technologies, including nuclear technologies. In addition, the Commission provided guidance to Member States on the design of effective Contracts for Difference and Power Purchase Agreements, in line with a technology-neutral approach. The Commission also adopted the delegated act setting the methodology for accounting of greenhouse gas emission of low-carbon fuels, thus further paving the way for hydrogen production using nuclear energy.

Furthermore, the Commission will prepare an energy system needs assessment for the clean transition which will update the investment needs in the energy sector in the period 2031-2040, looking at the energy system holistically and in a technology-neutral way. As part of the Energy Package of March 2026, including this nuclear illustrative programme and the SMR Strategy, the Commission also presents a Clean Energy Investment Strategy aiming at mobilising private investments at scale for all clean energy technologies, including nuclear. Furthermore and building on the work of the European SMR Industrial Alliance, the Commission’s SMR strategy supports the acceleration of the development and deployment of such reactors in the EU in early 2030s in view of reinforcing the EU’s industrial competitiveness. The upcoming EU fusion strategy will lay out a comprehensive set of strategic actions to guide European public and private sector activities in the coming years and will confirm ITER as a cornerstone of the EU’s efforts to accelerate fusion energy commercialisation.