The European Union has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a target that requires a comprehensive and sustainable energy transition. Nuclear energy, as a reliable and low-carbon energy source, should play a critical role in this transition. The path to decarbonisation is nevertheless complex as it will require a balance of economic viability, industrial market dynamics, effective policy frameworks, and public engagement. 

Nuclear energy can contribute to Europe's decarbonisation efforts in an efficient and responsible manner, as a baseload low-carbon electricity, but also for industrial heat applications, to complement renewables, to create a balanced and resilient energy system, and to reduce the need for fossil fuel.

The economic landscape of nuclear energy is shaped by both challenges and opportunities, high initial costs but long-term operational lifetimes (60+ years) of large-scale Nuclear Power Plants and low operating costs make them definitely economically viable. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) can offer a more flexible and cost-effective alternative. They are complementing large reactors and would be suited to smaller grids, dedicated industrial applications or remote areas e.g. cogeneration, H2 production, district heating, etc. The nuclear industry based on a robust supply chain, high-quality jobs in engineering, construction and manufacturing, contributes to economic growth and industrial competitiveness in Europe, and worldwide due to high demand in emerging markets.

Effective policies and regulations are essential to harness the potential of nuclear energy. A unified and consensual regulatory framework across EU Member States can streamline the licensing and construction of nuclear projects, reducing delays and costs. Support for innovation policies, research and development in advanced nuclear technologies, SMRs and Generation IV reactors, is crucial for maintaining Europe's leadership in the sector. Last and not the least, the safe and responsible management of the spent fuel and radioactive waste management is a prerequisite to any future nuclear activity. National and European energy plans should recognise nuclear as a key component of EU’s decarbonisation’s strategy, to ensure consistent investment, support and financing mechanisms as global competition with other regions of the globe is fierce. Stringent European safeguards and safety regulations are essential to maintain public trust and ensure the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

Public perception of nuclear energy is critical in its adoption and expansion.  Clear and transparent communication related to the benefits and risks of nuclear energy is essential. Educational campaigns and stakeholder involvement in engaging local communities, policymakers, and industry in decision-making processes ensures that diverse perspectives are considered. The European Nuclear Young Generation Forum (YGN) is also there to inspire the next generation of nuclear professionals and advocates.

Europe can surely unlock the full potential of nuclear energy, securing a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future for the wealth and health of its citizens. Europe is also well-positioned to build a broad societal consensus and to lead the global fight against climate change.

Europe’s nuclear assets are critical to its energy security, economic stability, and decarbonisation goals. Ensuring their safe and efficient operation, as well as managing radioactive waste responsibly, is paramount. This requires innovative approaches to Long-Term Operation (LTO), pre-disposal and long-term storage solutions, and continuous radiation protection enhancements.

Focusing on preserving Europe’s nuclear infrastructure while pioneering advances for a safe, secure and sustainable future, requires extending the operational life of existing nuclear power plants. It is the most cost-effective way to maintain low-carbon electricity generation while new capacity is being developed. These key aspects include performance assessment, ageing management mitigation, digitalisation and advanced monitoring, the use of digital twins and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and comprehensive periodic safety assessments in compliance with evolving regulatory standards. Operational strategies include life extension, upgrade of critical components e.g. replacing pressure vessels and steam generators, etc., a flexible operation enabling load-following, and complementing intermittent renewable energy sources. Strengthening infrastructures’ resilience is continuously needed to withstand extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves, to ensure sustainable water use for cooling and respect the legislation in vigor, particularly in regions facing water scarcity, and storms, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

Effective Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) is essential for the sustainability goals of nuclear energy. Europe is pioneering innovative solutions for interim and long-term storage. Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs) were rigorously developed, located in Finland’s Onkalo, Sweden’s Forsmark, and France’s Cigeo to safely isolate high-level waste for thousands of years. These assessments ensure high confidence in the long-term integrity of disposal sites, as it included experimental validation and verification in Underground Research Laboratories (URLs) of modelling of geological, hydrological, and chemical processes alongside building trust and acceptance through transparent communication and stakeholder involvement in the site selection and development process.

Radiation protection enhancements, protecting workers, the public, and the environment from radiation is a cornerstone of nuclear safety and the EU legislation. Operational strategies ensuring radiation exposure ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’ (ALARA) objective is achieved through optimised operational practices and advanced shielding technologies, robotics and automation today. Accident prevention and mitigation benefit from enhanced safety systems, but also enhanced Severe Accident Management strategies to manage potential beyond-design-basis events, or in a context of war in Ukraine, and further development of Emergency Response protocols. Research and Innovation also enabled digital real-time dosimetry monitoring and radiation resistant materials.

Pioneering advances for safe horizons enable Europe to be at the forefront of nuclear innovation, by developing SMRs with enhanced safety features, to provide flexible and scalable energy solutions, and invest in next Generation-IV reactors offering improved safety, efficiency, and radioactive waste management. International Joint Research Programmes (or Partnerships) leverage all partners’ participation in multinational research projects to address common challenges, such as innovative reactor systems, radioactive waste management and radiation protection. Collaborations benefit from knowledge sharing, knowledge management and knowledge preservation together with international organisations e.g. IAEA, OECD/NEA, HERCA, IRCP, UNSCEAR, etc. by ensuring best practices and advancing global nuclear safety standards are systematically being capitalised.

These efforts, supported by international cooperation and adaptation to climate change, will pave the way for a safe, secure, and sustainable energy future.

Europe’s nuclear assets are critical to its energy security, economic stability, and decarbonisation goals. Ensuring their safe and efficient operation, as well as managing radioactive waste responsibly, is paramount. This requires innovative approaches to Long-Term Operation (LTO), pre-disposal and long-term storage solutions, and continuous radiation protection enhancements.

Focusing on preserving Europe’s nuclear infrastructure while pioneering advances for a safe, secure and sustainable future, requires extending the operational life of existing nuclear power plants. It is the most cost-effective way to maintain low-carbon electricity generation while new capacity is being developed. These key aspects include performance assessment, ageing management mitigation, digitalisation and advanced monitoring, the use of digital twins and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and comprehensive periodic safety assessments in compliance with evolving regulatory standards. Operational strategies include life extension, upgrade of critical components e.g. replacing pressure vessels and steam generators, etc., a flexible operation enabling load-following, and complementing intermittent renewable energy sources. Strengthening infrastructures’ resilience is continuously needed to withstand extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves, to ensure sustainable water use for cooling and respect the legislation in vigor, particularly in regions facing water scarcity, and storms, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

Effective Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) is essential for the sustainability goals of nuclear energy. Europe is pioneering innovative solutions for interim and long-term storage. Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs) were rigorously developed, located in Finland’s Onkalo, Sweden’s Forsmark, and France’s Cigeo to safely isolate high-level waste for thousands of years. These assessments ensure high confidence in the long-term integrity of disposal sites, as it included experimental validation and verification in Underground Research Laboratories (URLs) of modelling of geological, hydrological, and chemical processes alongside building trust and acceptance through transparent communication and stakeholder involvement in the site selection and development process.

Radiation protection enhancements, protecting workers, the public, and the environment from radiation is a cornerstone of nuclear safety and the EU legislation. Operational strategies ensuring radiation exposure ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’ (ALARA) objective is achieved through optimised operational practices and advanced shielding technologies, robotics and automation today. Accident prevention and mitigation benefit from enhanced safety systems, but also enhanced Severe Accident Management strategies to manage potential beyond-design-basis events, or in a context of war in Ukraine, and further development of Emergency Response protocols. Research and Innovation also enabled digital real-time dosimetry monitoring and radiation resistant materials.

Pioneering advances for safe horizons enable Europe to be at the forefront of nuclear innovation, by developing SMRs with enhanced safety features, to provide flexible and scalable energy solutions, and invest in next Generation-IV reactors offering improved safety, efficiency, and radioactive waste management. International Joint Research Programmes (or Partnerships) leverage all partners’ participation in multinational research projects to address common challenges, such as innovative reactor systems, radioactive waste management and radiation protection. Collaborations benefit from knowledge sharing, knowledge management and knowledge preservation together with international organisations e.g. IAEA, OECD/NEA, HERCA, IRCP, UNSCEAR, etc. by ensuring best practices and advancing global nuclear safety standards are systematically being capitalised.

These efforts, supported by international cooperation and adaptation to climate change, will pave the way for a safe, secure, and sustainable energy future.

The construction of new nuclear power plants (NPPs), research reactors, underground research laboratories (URLs), and radioactive waste management (RWM) facilities in Europe has provided valuable insights into how delivering projects on time and within budget could be challenging. By leveraging advanced methodologies, technologies, and best practices, and fostering international cooperation, knowledge management, and capability building, Europe can ensure the successful deployment of new nuclear infrastructures.

Recent nuclear new build projects in Europe, being industrial such as Olkiluoto 3 (Finland), Flamanville 3 (France), Bohunice (SK) and Hinkley Point C (UK), or for research such as Jules Horowitz (France), PALLAS (NL) or for Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs) Onkalo (FI), Forsmark (SE), and Cigeo (FR) have highlighted both challenges and opportunities. Challenges relate to projects which have faced significant cost overruns and delays due to regulatory hurdles, supply chain issues, and first-of-a-kind (FOAK) complexities, etc. Inconsistent regulatory frameworks across countries have created barriers to efficiently execute projects. A shortage of skilled workers in the nuclear sector has impacted construction timelines and quality. Early and continuous engagement with regulators, local communities, and industry stakeholders is critical to overcome challenges. Lessons learned from FOAK projects have provided valuable lessons that can be applied to subsequent builds, significantly reducing risks and improving performance.

Innovative approaches and technologies are essential to improve the efficiency and reliability of nuclear new builds. Prefabricating components in controlled manufacturing environments reduces on-site construction time and improves the quality delivered. Using 3D modeling and digital twins to optimise design and construction processes help minimise errors and non-conformities. Digitalisation and automation, implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) for an integrated project management, enable real-time collaboration and data sharing among stakeholders, for inspections, maintenance, and construction tasks, as such improving safety and efficiency. Applying agile principles to project management allow for iterative development and continuous improvement, while implementing robust risk management frameworks help to identify, assess and mitigate potential issues as early as possible in the project lifecycle.

Best practices for delivering on time and budget from successful projects can only help ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of new nuclear infrastructures. It requires early planning and design, investing in comprehensive front-end planning and design to minimise changes within a fleet approach and delays during construction, but also by establishing a clear design freeze point to prevent costly and time-consuming modifications. Supply chain optimization happens when prioritising local suppliers to reduce lead times and transportation costs. Building long-term partnerships with key suppliers ensure reliability and quality deliveries. Advocating for harmonised regulatory standards across Europe should streamline approvals and reduce uncertainty. Engaging regulators early in the project strongly help to align on requirements and expectations.

Cooperation with international partners is crucial for sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices. Participating in international forums, such as the IAEA and OECD/NEA, definitely help to exchange best practices and lessons learned.

Capacity building, retaining knowledge and capabilities within Europe is essential for a sustained success. Workforce development is at stake through implementing comprehensive training programmes to develop the skills needed for nuclear new builds. Facilitating knowledge transfer from experienced professionals to the next generation of nuclear workers is mandatory. Supporting collaborative research and innovation initiatives to advance nuclear technologies and methodologies, by establishing innovation hubs to foster creativity and problem-solving in the nuclear sector is compulsory.

European (and international) Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) play a critical role in financing and delivering nuclear new build projects. Leveraging Taxonomy green bonds and other sustainable financing instruments should help to fund nuclear projects. Risk sharing structuring PPPs, to share risks and rewards, between public and private partners should be ensured thanks to a strong government support for nuclear new builds and enable favorable policies and incentives. Engaging the public is essential to build any support for nuclear energy and address concerns about safety and cost.

The successful deployment of new nuclear in Europe requires a holistic approach that integrates advanced methodologies, technologies and best practices. By learning from past experiences, fostering international cooperation, building knowledge and capabilities, Europe can overcome the challenges. Public-Private partnerships and a strong policy support will be essential to realising this vision, ensuring that nuclear energy continues to play its vital role in Europe's energy mix and decarbonisation efforts. With a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, Europe can lead the way in the global nuclear renaissance.