"Renaissance of Nuclear Energy" — EU plans to invest in small nuclear power plants
The EU allocates 200 million euros for mini-reactors and prepares to become a nuclear hub.
Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: AP Photo / Pascal Bastien
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated at the international nuclear energy summit near Paris: "In recent years, we have seen a global renaissance of nuclear energy. And Europe wants to participate in this renaissance," reports BILD.
She then presented a new European energy strategy — to invest in small modular reactors and prepare this technology for deployment by the early 2030s.
Mini-reactors, according to von der Leyen, should play a key role in the future — as a flexible, safe, and efficient complement to traditional nuclear reactors.
To bring mini-reactors to market faster, it is planned to create unified technological standards at the EU level (as the idea can only work with large-scale production of such reactors). Cross-border cooperation is a decisive factor.
Von der Leyen said: "The main idea is simple: if the application of the technology is safe, it should be easy to use it across Europe."
In addition, investments are needed. "Today I can announce that we will support investments in innovative nuclear technologies with 200 million euros," she stated.
These EU funds should reduce investment risks and attract investors to the nuclear industry.
"Our ambitions are not limited to small modular reactors. We must also strengthen the entire nuclear ecosystem — from fuel to technologies, from supply chains to competencies. <…> Europe must become a global hub for next-generation nuclear energy," stressed the head of the European Commission.