Europe made a “strategic mistake” by turning away from nuclear energy, says von der Leyen
The President of the European Commission stated at the recent Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris that Europe made a mistake by turning away from nuclear power.
According to Ursula von der Leyen, nuclear energy has once again become “crucial” for the European Union’s economic future, particularly given what she described as “structurally too high” electricity prices across the continent. Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she said that Europe made a strategic mistake by turning away from a reliable, affordable, and low-emission energy source.
Faced with its current dependence on imported fossil fuels, von der Leyen argued that Europe should build on its two key energy assets: nuclear power and renewable energy. In her view, these two sources together can guarantee energy independence, security of supply, and industrial competitiveness for the continent.
Von der Leyen predicted that small modular reactors (SMRs) could begin operating in Europe in the early 2030s
The European strategy includes the creation of regulatory “sandboxes” to test innovative technologies, as well as closer cooperation with EU Member States to harmonize rules and accelerate licensing procedures.
Brussels also intends to strengthen industrial cooperation in order to develop European value chains in nuclear fuel and related technologies, says EFE.
Europe's vulnerability to fossil fuels
Von der Leyen emphasized that the European Union already possesses significant strengths, including around half a million highly skilled workers in the nuclear sector and a leading position in innovation related to small modular reactors.
“We now have the ambition to move forward quickly and at scale so that Europe becomes a global hub for next-generation nuclear energy,” she said. She also noted that the current conflict in the Middle East serves as a stark reminder of Europe’s vulnerability due to its dependence on fossil fuels.
To reduce this dependence, von der Leyen called for greater development of both nuclear and renewable energy, along with increased investment in electricity grids, energy storage, and greater flexibility in the energy system.
Header image: IAEA
