Faced with new energy shock, Europe asks if reviving nuclear is the answer
Faced with new energy shock, Europe asks if reviving nuclear is the answer
Europeans are grappling with surging gas and petrol costs, causing concern among households and businesses. While the UK government has urged citizens to remain composed, the European Commission has encouraged remote work and reduced travel to ease strain on energy systems. Policymakers caution that the situation could worsen if Middle Eastern tensions escalate, potentially disrupting global energy markets. This marks a return to discussions about energy independence, with nuclear power emerging as a key topic in both the UK and the EU.
A Strategic Reassessment
At a recent summit in Paris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the continent’s earlier dismissal of nuclear energy as a “strategic mistake.” She noted that in 1990, nuclear accounted for roughly a third of Europe’s electricity generation, but this has dropped to an average of 15% today. The reliance on costly and unpredictable fossil fuel imports has left Europe vulnerable, she argued, creating a disadvantage compared to other global regions.
“To build national resilience, drive energy security and deliver economic growth, we need nuclear,” said Reeves.
Energy Mix Disparities
Gas prices have risen uniformly across Europe, yet electricity costs differ based on each country’s energy sources. In Spain, where wind and solar dominate, forecasts predict average electricity prices for the rest of 2026 to be about half of Italy’s. This disparity highlights how gas-heavy energy systems, like Italy’s, are more susceptible to price fluctuations. France, by contrast, remains Europe’s largest nuclear producer, generating 65% of its electricity from this source. German prices for next month are projected to be five times higher than France’s, underscoring the impact of its nuclear phase-out in 2011.
The Shift in Policy
Following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Germany eliminated nuclear power from its energy strategy, relying heavily on gas for industries such as automotive and chemical manufacturing. However, recent economic research from Berlin has revised 2026 growth projections to just 0.6% of GDP, citing global gas price hikes as a major factor. This has prompted a reconsideration of nuclear energy, with Germany now aligning with France in EU legislation. President Emmanuel Macron praised nuclear as essential for balancing energy sovereignty with decarbonization, emphasizing its role in powering data centers and AI advancements.
“Nuclear power is key to reconciling both independence, and thus energy sovereignty, with decarbonisation, and thus carbon neutrality,” said Macron.
Despite this renewed interest, experts caution against treating nuclear as a universal solution. While it offers long-term stability, development requires time and investment. The shift from anti-nuclear stance to support in Germany may also reflect heightened security concerns, particularly amid strained ties with the Trump administration. France has since committed to expanding its nuclear deterrent to other EU nations, signaling a potential renaissance for the energy source across the continent.
