Decision to turn back on nuclear was a strategic mistake, EU’s von der leyen says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Last updated: March 10, 2026

Von der Leyen Calls EU’s Pivot from Nuclear Power a Major Strategic Error

EU’s Nuclear Energy Policy and Its Strategic Implications

Von der Leyen Criticizes Reduction in Nuclear Power

PARIS, March 10 (Reuters) — The decision to reduce the share of nuclear energy in the electricity production mix in the European Union was a strategic mistake given that the bloc is neither an oil or gas producer, EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

“This reduction in the share of nuclear was a choice, I believe that it was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emissions power,” she said in a speech at an event on nuclear energy held in Paris.

Declining Share of Nuclear in EU Electricity Mix

The EU relied on nuclear for one third of its electricity in 1990 and now the share is only close to 15%, she said.

EU Initiatives to Revive Nuclear Energy

Development of Small Nuclear Reactors

The European Union aims to stimulate the development of small nuclear reactors, to make Europe less dependent on imported fossil fuels, she added.

Investment and Funding for Nuclear Innovation

“We see a global revival of nuclear energy. And Europe wants to be part of it,” von der Leyen said as she announced a 200 million euros ($233 million) guarantee by the EU to stimulate investments in the development of small modular reactors.

The money would come from the EU’s Emissions Trading System, she said.

“We want this new technology to be operational by the early 2030s,” she said.

Energy Security and the Role of Nuclear Power

Von der Leyen said soaring energy prices caused by the war in the Middle east were a “stark reminder” of Europe’s vulnerability as an importer of fossil fuels and underlined the importance of increasing power production from renewable sources and nuclear reactors.

($1 = 0.8584 euros)

(Reporting by Bart Meijer and Inti Landauro;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)