Nuclear’s Second Act
- Filip Todorov
- 11 minutes ago
- 12 min read
Exploring the EU’s stance and options for nuclear energy relative to the rapidly changing nuclear energy landscape in US and China
At the beginning of this year, the US began to reopen its Palisade nuclear power plant in Michigan, following increased investments and a decrease in regulations by the Trump Administration in May 2025. In October last year, an announcement was made that the US government, Westinghouse Electric Company, Cameco Corporation, and Brookfield Asset Management had entered into a strategic partnership to deploy at least $80 billion in capital to construct new nuclear reactors in the US as part of a broader policy shift. Additionally, the Trump administration set an ambitious target to increase American nuclear energy capacity from 100 GW to 400 GW by 2050, which sends a clear signal.
China is also taking major action with the construction of 2 new nuclear power units, one at the Bailong plant and another at the Lufeng plant, beginning in late December 2025. With an estimated capacity of 1.25 million kilowatts per unit, these reactors will be significant additions to the 26 nuclear reactors currently under construction.
In light of these recent developments in U.S. and Chinese nuclear power expansion, some EU countries may have to reconsider their stance on nuclear energy.
Why are both China and the USA pursuing nuclear energy?
There are many reasons, but the most prominent is the substantial increase in power demand attributable to data centers. Big Tech is one of the driving forces behind the resurgence of nuclear power usage in the US. Data centers, especially those utilised for AI, require large amounts of power to operate; hence, Big Tech is making sizable investments in the energy sector. The Three Mile Island nuclear plant is set to reopen after a deal between Microsoft and Constellation, which was agreed upon in 2024. After the infamous 1979 accident at Three Mile Island, which raised many questions about the use of nuclear energy, this move marks a significant shift in direction for the US. Over the year 2024, Amazon Web Services (AWS) signed an agreement with Dominion Energy and Energy Northwest while leading financing for X-energy. All of these strategic moves are aimed at the construction and development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), with over $500 million invested to date. Clay Sell, Chief Executive of X-energy, said, “The US cannot win the AI race against China without nuclear power.”
On the other side of the Pacific, China has been building nuclear reactors at a staggering pace. China increased its total net capacity from ~27 GWe in 2015 to ~56 GWe by the end of 2025. This is impressive, given that the US total net capacity fell from ~99 GWe to ~97 GWe over the same period. China has been dominant in solar and wind power; however, it often compensates for reductions in output from these clean energy sources by increasing coal generation. Nuclear power presents China with a unique opportunity to reduce coal use during downturns. Additionally, China is gradually gaining a dominant position in global energy markets as it accelerates capacity growth and technological innovation. In Pakistan, Chinese companies have already built 6 reactors and will likely continue to do so, as China seeks to expand its global energy influence. However, China is not only building but also innovating, with its CAP1000 and CAP1400 reactor designs representing improved versions of the Western AP1000. They are simpler to construct and more cost-effective, as China combined construction and operational experience with easier licensing.
Why is Nuclear power relevant to the EU?
1. Maintaining competitiveness
Both the US and China are competing to gain dominance in AI and global energy markets. Unless the EU wants to be left behind, it is important to take action and place greater emphasis on its energy industry, particularly nuclear power. Currently, the EU has a comfortable total nuclear capacity of approximately 99 GWe; however, given the pace of construction in China and the sharp shift in the US’s direction, there are significant risks for the EU if power plant construction doesn’t ramp up.
2. Energy security
Following the invasion of Ukraine, the topic of energy security has gained significant traction in political discourse across Europe. Energy reliance on foreign nations, as seen with Russian gas, can be a serious strategic liability for any country. In 2023, following the phase-out of nuclear power and a decrease in Russian gas imports, Germany became a net electricity importer for the first time in approximately 20 years. Utilising nuclear power would allow the EU to decrease its reliance on foreign petroleum imports. Another recent example of the need for robust energy infrastructure is last year’s approximately 10-hour blackout that affected the Iberian Peninsula. Expanding nuclear power capacity in Europe would also provide an ideal opportunity to modernise energy infrastructure and enhance its resilience.
3. The green transition
With the EU's Green Deal, there is a lot of transformation and work to be done to achieve the ambitious target of climate neutrality on the whole continent by 2050. Nuclear energy has a major advantage: unlike Solar and Wind power, it is not weather-dependent. This aspect makes it more reliable than some other ‘clean’ energy sources. Additionally, a traditional nuclear power plant that generates 1,000 MWe requires approximately 3 square kilometers of site area. In contrast, a wind farm would require roughly 350 times as much land, and a solar farm would require 75 times as much land. Hence, when considering the future of the EU's energy mix, it may be prudent to include Nuclear power in a notable share to complement other renewable energy sources.
Current state of EU nuclear power
At present, only 12 EU member states utilise commercial nuclear power plants. These countries are Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.
Currently, Slovakia is the only EU country with a commercial nuclear reactor under construction, namely Unit 4 at the Mochovce nuclear plant, with final testing and licensing expected to be completed in the next few months. The unit is expected to generate approximately 465 MWe, representing approximately 13% of the country’s energy consumption. However, many other EU countries plan to begin construction of new nuclear reactors. France has been the EU leader in nuclear energy, with 57 nuclear power reactors and ~63 GWe of net capacity, currently the second-highest globally. The Messmer plan in 1974 was instrumental in enabling France to achieve this high level of nuclear power capacity. The country’s most recent project has been the Flamanville 3 reactor, which was first connected to the national grid in December 2024 and began operating at full capacity of 1650 MWe a year later. But there are plans to construct approximately 6 more nuclear reactors in the future. Additionally, shifts in policy among many EU countries that opposed nuclear power are slowly being observed.
Belgium is among the first countries to change direction. Originally, the country was scheduled to phase out nuclear power reactors by 2025, but the invasion of Ukraine disrupted this plan. In May 2025, lawmakers removed the phase-out plans, creating an opportunity for new reactors to be constructed. "We have three objectives that are shared by our European partners. They are security of supply, a controlled price, and low-carbon energy. And nuclear power meets all three criteria" said Mathieu Bihet, Belgium's Energy Minister.
Further, Denmark is also considering the potential of nuclear reactors. Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities, Lars Aagaard said in May 2025, "We all know that, of course, we can't have an electricity system based on solar and wind alone. There has to be something else to support it.,". However, Denmark maintains a cautious position on nuclear energy, hesitating to embrace it, citing the need for further research before decisions are made.
In June 2011, following the Fukushima incident earlier that year, the German government began phasing out its nuclear power plants, a decision that set a precedent for other EU members and is facing increased criticism. Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, has expressed interest in reintroducing nuclear energy in Germany. So far in August 2025, Merz agreed with Macron to recognise nuclear power as a key aspect of the European energy transition and to treat nuclear energy financing on par with that for other low-carbon sources, signalling a shift from the traditional German stance held in the last decade.
Spain, another country well on the road to abandoning nuclear power, is also currently in a complex position. Ignacio Sanchez Galan, the chairman of Spanish energy company Iberdrola, which operates several atomic power plants as well as renewable energy farms, said nuclear energy is ‘necessary’ and "Dismantling this infrastructure prematurely would cause irreparable economic and social damage". Isabel Diaz Ayuso, member of the People's Party(PP), said continuing the usage of nuclear power plants in Spain was necessary to "protect jobs and energy sovereignty". PP has long opposed the nuclear phase-out in Spain. Currently, the future of nuclear power in Spain remains highly uncertain.
Poland is also transforming the nuclear energy landscape in the EU. In August 2025, Orlen and Synthos Green Energy agreed to develop and build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor in Włocławek. For now, construction hasn’t begun yet, but the Orlen Group hopes to hold two SMRs by 2035 in its portfolio. There were also plans to build a large-scale nuclear power plant, but the project is experiencing significant delays. Nevertheless, Poland is among the countries adjusting to the economic and political landscape and joining the 12 other nuclear EU member states, signalling hope for nuclear power in Europe.However, many EU countries still have an uncertain trajectory. For instance, Italy, after shutting down its last operational reactor in 1990, has been unclear about a potential reintroduction of commercial nuclear power plants. For now, the Italian government aims to finalise a definitive plan on the potential future use of nuclear power by 2027. Since its 1978 ban on nuclear power, Austria has staunchly opposed nuclear energy. It has even exerted political pressure on neighbouring countries, such as the Czech Republic, over the proximity of Czech nuclear power plants to the Austrian border. Yet Austria is not being stubborn for no reason, as nuclear power has notable drawbacks that warrant attention before nuclear expansion continues in the EU.
Potential Drawbacks in the European Strategy
1. Expensive and prolonged construction
Across the US and EU, cost overruns and delays plagued nuclear reactor construction projects. The infamous Unit 4 at the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia was connected to the US grid only in March 2024, despite initial plans for launch in 2017. This significant delay raises questions about the capacity of the US construction sector. The project, which began in 2009 for Units 3 and 4 at Vogtle, was expected to cost only $14 bn; however, the final cost reached approximately $30 bn. Nevertheless, France is also struggling: for the Flamanville 3 reactor mentioned earlier, EDF (Électricité de France) estimated a cost of €3.3 bn and projected completion in 2012. However, this was far from reality, as the project incurred an estimated cost of €13.2 bn and was completed 12 years later than planned.
But there is hope. Studies have shown that, in China, the total cost and duration of construction for new nuclear reactors have decreased significantly over time, as experience and design simplification have been paired with easier financing and approval requirements. This strategy is something that could be replicated in the EU.
2. EU reliance on foreign Uranium supply
In the years 2023 to 2024, around 62% of the EU’s enriched uranium consumption for nuclear power came from domestic production; the rest was imported. According to Euratom Supply Agency reports, in 2024, the EU accounted for ~20% of global natural uranium consumption, with a total of 13,667 tU imported. Currently, the EU is heavily reliant on uranium imports and on various services, such as conversion, provided by foreign organisations, including Rosatom. However, the trade landscape is changing, with other countries increasing their conversion capacity to help the EU reduce its reliance on Russian organisations. For instance, the Orano Piralette conversion plant in France, the Cameco plant in Canada, and ConverDyn in the US have all planned to increase their conversion capacity to help the EU. Involvement with unreliable trading partners and foreign organisations poses significant risks, and the EU needs to continue increasing its self-sufficiency in the nuclear fuel sector if it plans to expand nuclear power in a sustainable manner.
3. Public opinion and spent fuel storage
Public opinion in some EU countries is often divided when it comes to nuclear power. The fear of a potential security breach or a natural disaster causing a large-scale nuclear accident still lingers in today’s society. Operational safety of nuclear reactors has improved substantially over the past 40 years, but nuclear accidents are not a thing of the past; minor radiation leaks and fires continue to occur frequently in the 21st century. Even though these accidents are nowhere near as dangerous as those in the past, they are sufficient to plant a seed of doubt.
Additionally, spent nuclear fuel storage is a topic of significant controversy. Typically, there are 2 methods for storing nuclear waste. Either in wet storage, utilising cooling pools, or dry storage in casks deep underground. In the EU, the majority of storage capacity is of the former type; however, dry storage is being expanded. The EU Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management Directive, in force since 2011, governs the disposal of spent uranium fuel in the EU. The directive requires comprehensive national programmes for the storage of radioactive waste, thereby enabling the EU to manage and oversee this potential hazard safely for its citizens.
But some members of the public are often still skeptical about domestically stored nuclear waste. However, steps are being taken to address the issue, as France has been exploring the recycling and reuse of nuclear fuel waste to reduce the quantities that must be stored. Finland has also been developing deep geological repositories (DGRs), which are a key expansion of EU storage capacity. Enhancing the safety of nuclear waste storage in the EU could reduce public opposition to nuclear power reactors.
Are Small Modular reactors the future ?
Recent innovations have made nuclear energy more attractive to many countries. Some of these innovations focus on the size and capacity of nuclear reactors, leading to the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). Small Modular Nuclear Reactors have a maximum output of 300 MWe. They have lower upfront costs and are significantly smaller in size, making them an attractive alternative to traditional large nuclear power reactors due to their flexibility. However, at present, it is estimated that their cost per power unit will be higher than that of traditional nuclear power plants, which typically generate outputs closer to 1,000 MWe. Poland is the frontrunner in EU SMR adoption at present, with significant recent investments in the industry. For now, the European Commission's EU SMR strategy is expected to be published by the second half of 2026. However, the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs was already launched in early 2024. These organisations and policy guidance are vital for increasing investment and reducing regulatory burdens associated with new technologies such as SMRs.
Microreactors are another innovation with significant potential. For instance, they can be used to replace existing diesel generators currently utilised in various industrial centres, mining sites, and remote communities. Microreactors are even smaller than SMRs. The eVinci micro reactor from Westinghouse is the most popular option. It can produce approximately 5MWe. According to the Westinghouse announcement, the reactor core will be designed to run for eight or more full-power years before refueling. However, the development of these microreactors remains largely in the early stages, and it is unclear what their practical adoption will entail in the EU.
Conclusion
With recent changes in the political landscape surrounding nuclear power in the EU, alongside industry innovations, it will be interesting to observe the EU’s response to the rapid nuclear capacity expansion in the US and China. We’re already seeing countries like Poland taking big steps and embracing SMR technology, but the big question is, will countries like Austria and Italy also take action? Nevertheless, just as China was initially learning from Western designs, it has now become apparent that the EU is in a unique position to learn from Chinese designs and construction practices to improve its own nuclear efforts.
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