Von der Leyen Says Reducing Nuclear Power Was a Strategic Mistake for Europe

SNN – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union made a strategic mistake by reducing its reliance on nuclear energy, arguing that the bloc should not have moved away from a stable and low-emission power source.

Speaking at a nuclear energy event in Paris, von der Leyen said Europe’s decision to lower the role of nuclear power in its electricity mix weakened the region’s energy security.

“Nuclear is a reliable, affordable and low-emissions source of electricity,” she said, adding that turning away from it was a strategic error for a region that produces little oil or natural gas of its own.

According to von der Leyen, nuclear energy accounted for about one-third of the EU’s electricity in 1990, but its share has since fallen to around 15%.

She said the European Union now aims to support a revival of nuclear energy, particularly through the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), which could help reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

As part of this effort, the EU will provide a 200 million euro ($233 million) financial guarantee to support investment in SMR technology. The funding will come from the bloc’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Von der Leyen said the EU hopes the new generation of nuclear technology could become operational by the early 2030s.

She also noted that rising energy prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East highlight Europe’s vulnerability as a major importer of fossil fuels. This, she said, underscores the importance of expanding both renewable energy sources and nuclear power to strengthen the region’s energy security.