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

Across Europe, households and businesses are grappling with surging gas costs and skyrocketing petrol prices, creating unease among families and industries. While the UK government urges calm, the European Commission has urged citizens to embrace remote work and reduce travel. Policymakers caution that the situation could worsen, especially if Middle Eastern tensions escalate. Yet this crisis feels familiar, echoing the cost-of-living challenges from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which triggered inflation and soaring energy costs. Now, the focus is shifting once more toward energy independence, with nuclear power resurfacing as a potential solution in both the UK and EU.

Nuclear energy, once a cornerstone of European energy supply, has seen its share of decline. In 1990, it powered roughly a third of the continent’s electricity, but that figure has dropped to 15% today. This shift has left Europe reliant on costly and unpredictable fossil fuel imports, according to Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission. She called the abandonment of nuclear a “strategic mistake,” highlighting its role in reducing dependence on volatile global markets.

France stands out as Europe’s largest nuclear producer, generating about 65% of its electricity through this method. By contrast, Germany’s electricity prices for next month are projected to be five times higher than France’s, a stark disparity. This follows Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, which left the energy-intensive sectors of its economy heavily dependent on gas. Recent economic forecasts from Berlin’s top research institutes have slashed 2026 growth projections to 0.6% of GDP, citing global gas price hikes.

Meanwhile, renewed interest in nuclear energy is evident. “To build national resilience, drive energy security and deliver economic growth, we need nuclear,” stated Reeves, underscoring its potential. Polls show increasing support for nuclear in Scotland, with the majority now endorsing it as part of the nation’s energy strategy. France, a vocal advocate, has positioned itself as a leader, with President Emmanuel Macron emphasizing its role in achieving energy sovereignty and carbon neutrality. He argued that nuclear power could also support the EU’s net zero ambitions and fuel advancements in AI-driven technologies.

Despite this momentum, some remain skeptical. Germany’s previous resistance to nuclear, which lasted until last year, created friction with France. However, Berlin has since removed its anti-nuclear bias, possibly due to security concerns from strained ties with the Trump administration. Germany has now asked France to expand its nuclear deterrent to other European nations, a move France has agreed to this month. Yet, nuclear is not a universal solution. Its development requires long-term investment, and it cannot instantly address Europe’s current energy woes.

“Nuclear power is key to reconciling both independence, and thus energy sovereignty, with decarbonisation, and thus carbon neutrality,” said Macron at the recent Paris summit. He also highlighted its capacity to sustain data centers and computing infrastructure, crucial for the AI revolution.

Europe imports over 50% of its energy, primarily oil and gas, making it vulnerable to supply shocks. Russia’s export bans and Iran’s disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have already demonstrated this risk, with gas prices rising sharply. While electricity costs vary by country, Spain’s reliance on renewables has kept its average prices lower than Italy’s, where gas dominates energy costs. The debate over nuclear’s viability continues, but for now, it appears to be a growing contender in Europe’s energy strategy.