Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, said at a nuclear‑energy summit in Paris that Germany’s and parts of the EU’s decision to abandon nuclear power is now viewed as a “strategic mistake”. She pointed out that while wind‑farm manufacturers operate on a global scale, nuclear power has already seen a dramatic decline: in 1990 nuclear supplied about one‑third of European electricity, but today it accounts for only roughly 15 %. Von der Leyen argued that this drop was deliberate, and that turning away from a dependable, affordable source of low‑emission power was a costly error.
The Commission chief insists the future should involve both nuclear and renewables. “It is not an either‑or situation – together they are the strongest option” she said. She stressed the need for a “best‑overall energy package” that is clean, affordable, resilient, and European. Renewable sources are the cheapest way to generate power, but they are intermittent, weather‑dependent, and often located far from major industrial centers. Therefore, investment is required in storage, demand‑side flexibility, and grid expansion.
Nuclear power, she noted, remains reliable, supplying power continuously around the clock. Combining nuclear with renewables, supported by storage and flexible grids, yields the most efficient system. Von der Leyen also highlighted Europe’s potential to once again lead in nuclear technology. Next‑generation reactors could become a high‑value export for Europe, a vision that drew her to Paris.
Her announcement included a new EU strategy for small modular reactors, slated to be operational by the early 2030s. The plan has three pillars: simplified regulatory rules, mobilisation of investment, and enhanced European collaboration. The goal is to position Europe as a “global centre of next‑generation nuclear energy”.
