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 now grappling with soaring gas prices and surging costs for fueling vehicles, a situation that has unsettled households and businesses alike. While the UK government has urged citizens to remain composed, the European Commission has pushed for remote work and reduced travel to ease the strain. Officials caution that energy prices could climb further, especially if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalate. Yet, the memory of the previous cost-of-living crisis, driven by energy costs and inflation after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, lingers. This has reignited discussions about achieving energy independence, with nuclear power emerging as a potential solution in both the UK and the EU.
At the European Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, Ursula von der Leyen, the EU’s executive head, called the continent’s earlier rejection of nuclear energy a “strategic mistake.” In 1990, nuclear power accounted for roughly a third of Europe’s electricity. Today, that share has dropped to an average of 15%, making the region heavily reliant on costly and fluctuating fossil fuel imports. Europe sources over 50% of its energy from oil and gas, exposing it to supply shocks and price swings. Recent tensions with Iran have tightened energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, causing gas prices to rise sharply across the continent.
France remains the most nuclear-dependent country in Europe, producing about 65% of its electricity via this method. In contrast, Germany’s electricity prices for the coming month are projected to be five times higher than in France, a stark disparity. Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power following the 2011 Fukushima disaster left its industrial sectors, particularly in automotive and chemical industries, vulnerable to gas price volatility. This week, Berlin’s economic research bodies slashed their 2026 growth projections to 0.6% of GDP, citing global gas price surges.
Despite past resistance, Germany has recently aligned with France in supporting nuclear energy. The shift appears to stem from growing concerns about energy security and defense ties, particularly with the Trump administration. Germany has asked France to expand its nuclear deterrent to other European nations, a proposal France has endorsed. However, the appeal of nuclear power is not without limits. Critics warn that it is a long-term investment, not an immediate solution to current energy challenges.
Nuclear as a Strategic Choice
“To build national resilience, drive energy security and deliver economic growth, we need nuclear,” said Reeves.
This sentiment reflects a broader push in Europe to embrace nuclear as a cornerstone of the continent’s energy strategy. New polls indicate increasing public support for nuclear energy in Scotland, with most people now favoring its inclusion in the country’s power supply. France, however, remains the most vocal advocate for expanding nuclear capacity. President Emmanuel Macron highlighted its role in achieving both energy sovereignty and decarbonization, stating, “
nuclear power is key to reconciling both independence, and thus energy sovereignty, with decarbonisation, and thus carbon neutrality
.” He also emphasized its potential to support emerging technologies like AI, enabling Europe to lead in data centers and computing infrastructure.
Still, the move to revive nuclear faces hurdles. Until last year, Germany had opposed treating nuclear on equal footing with renewables in EU policies, creating friction with France. Now, Berlin has agreed to remove this bias, signaling a new era of collaboration. Yet, the idea of nuclear as a universal energy fix is not without skepticism. As the continent debates its energy future, the question remains: can nuclear power alone secure Europe’s stability in an increasingly unpredictable world?
