Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has described the decision to reduce the share of nuclear energy in the European Union’s energy production as a “strategic mistake.”
Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, von der Leyen said Europe had turned away from a reliable energy source.
“This reduction was a choice, but I believe it was a strategic mistake for Europe, because it turned its back on a reliable, affordable and low-emission source of energy,” she said.
Von der Leyen noted that nuclear energy accounted for about one-third of the EU’s electricity production in 1990, while today its share has dropped to roughly 15 percent.
The EU is now seeking to develop Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen energy security. The European Commission has planned a €200 million fund to support investments in this technology, financed through the EU Emissions Trading System.
She also highlighted a global return to nuclear energy, stressing that Europe intends to play a role in this trend.
“We are witnessing a global revival of nuclear energy, and Europe wants to be part of this process. Our goal is for this technology to become operational in the early 2030s,” von der Leyen said.
The Commission president added that rising energy prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East serve as a stark reminder of Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, underlining the need to expand both renewable energy production and nuclear power capacity.
