The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing war with Iran have sent energy prices soaring and exposed Europe’s deep vulnerabilities. As a result, the topic of energy sovereignty has returned decisively to the discussion table in Brussels.
The European Commission has unveiled a series of comprehensive initiatives related to nuclear energy, as part of its broader energy strategy. At around 549 million tonnes, Europe’s primary energy production continues to be largely driven by oil and other equivalents. Renewables accounted for more than 45% of production, yet the overall energy mix remains heavily dependent on imported oil and oil products (around 38%) and natural gas (around 21%). The recent crisis in the Middle East has added billions of dollars to the imported energy bill, mirroring the price shocks of 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Even in calmer times, households and industry pay some of the highest electricity prices in the world. Germany, Belgium and Denmark top the list, as the European Commission notes.
Nuclear development is inherently a long-term game and cannot offer an immediate solution, but recent events have prompted a deep analysis of the future. European leaders at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris on March 10 made clear that the bloc may have little choice if it wants true independence and affordable energy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “this reduction in the share of nuclear energy was a choice, I believe it was a strategic mistake for Europe that turned its back on a reliable and affordable source of low-emission energy.” This stance is a change from her position in 2011, when she supported limiting nuclear power. Germany closed its last reactors in 2023, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called the gradual closure a “serious strategic mistake.” Restarting old plants is impossible, so attention has turned to building new reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs).
France produces about 65% of its electricity from nuclear power and exports the surplus, demonstrating the benefits of energy independence. French President Emmanuel Macron said that “nuclear energy is key to reconciling energy independence and sovereignty with decarbonization and carbon neutrality.” He also highlighted the importance of nuclear energy for data centers and the development of artificial intelligence.
Brussels is increasingly looking to SMR power plants as a flexible, low-carbon solution that can be deployed more quickly than traditional power plants. According to the European Commission’s SMR Strategy, the first units could be operational in the early 2030s, with capacity increasing from 17 GW to 53 GW by 2050. These compact reactors could be used to power data centres, industrial heat applications, hydrogen production and district heating networks. The Commission has promised to ease bureaucracy and provide financial guarantees to speed up implementation. Eleven EU member states have adopted a joint declaration in support of the technology. The US and Japan announced a $40 billion project to develop SMRs in Tennessee and Alabama, aiming to stabilise electricity prices and strengthen technological leadership.
A key part of the initiative are the European Pressurized Reactors (EPRs), designed for increased safety and efficiency. France is moving ahead with six new EPRs and has eight more under consideration, while Belgium is seeking to extend its existing fleet, Italy is considering lifting its nuclear ban, and Greece has opened a public debate on advanced reactors and SMRs.
In countries that never abandoned the technology, such as Sweden and Finland, nuclear power supports the largest share of renewables in final energy consumption. In the EU, nuclear power provides around 23% of electricity and around 50% of low-carbon electricity, offering more stable and competitive prices. The European Commission’s 8th Nuclear Illustrative Programme foresees the EU’s total nuclear capacity increasing from 98 GW in 2025 to between 109 GW and 150 GW by 2050, supported by around €241 billion in new investment. However, obstacles remain: waste management, public acceptance, regulations and capital costs. SMRs are still considered commercially unproven, and no construction licence has been granted anywhere in the EU as of early 2026.
Nuclear power does not immediately solve the price crisis, but geopolitical pressures, growing demands from artificial intelligence and high energy bills are forcing a serious rethink of Europe’s energy future.
Meanwhile, the end of the Iran conflict does not seem imminent, according to an analysis by the British daily The Guardian. In an analysis, it is said that the Islamic Republic is resisting to show that it is ready to sacrifice everything, just to not give up power. Peace seems a distant horizon in the conflict between the US and Israel against Iran, while Tehran is using escalation as its main weapon. According to The Guardian, the Iranian regime is ready to sacrifice everything, including the economies of its Arab neighbors, just to not give up power.
One of the main obstacles to a quick ceasefire is the huge economic damage that has been done so far. With oil prices at $125 a barrel and the destruction of billions of dollars worth of gas facilities in Qatar, the parties are finding it difficult to sit down for talks. They believe that a simple peace cannot cover these staggering losses, so they choose to fight harder to completely defeat their opponent. The divisions between the plans of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, who seeks a total victory over Tehran, make diplomacy almost impossible. Without a minimum of trust, the options remain bleak: either a long war until Iran capitulates, or a unilateral American withdrawal that would leave the region in total chaos, with no hope of peace. (Euronews.eu)