For much of the past two decades, Europe treated nuclear power as a legacy technology—useful in the past, politically toxic in the present, and unnecessary in a future dominated by renewables. Germany’s Energiewende became the defining symbol of this shift: a deliberate, ideologically driven retreat from nuclear energy, accelerated after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
Berlin’s decision was not purely technical. It reflected a long-standing anti‑nuclear movement, deep public scepticism, and a political calculation that the country could meet its climate goals through a combination of renewables, gas and efficiency. For a time, that narrative held. Germany closed its last reactors in 2023, insisting that nuclear power had no place in a modern energy system.
But the rest of Europe is no longer convinced. A series of developments across the continent suggests that nuclear power—once dismissed as too slow, too expensive or too controversial—is being quietly re‑evaluated. And in some cases, actively revived.
A New Wave of Nuclear Ambition
The clearest sign of this shift comes from countries that were never major nuclear players. Croatia, for example, has unveiled a plan to source 30% of its electricity from nuclear power by 2040.
Zagreb already co‑owns the Krško plant with Slovenia, but the new strategy marks the first time Croatia has positioned nuclear energy as a central pillar of its long‑term energy mix. The government frames the move as a response to three pressures: energy security, decarbonisation and the need for stable baseload power.
Poland is moving even faster. The country has long argued that nuclear power is essential to replace coal, but the latest twist is who wants to build it. As Bloomberg reports, a group of billionaire heirs is seeking a role in Poland’s next nuclear project—an early sign that private capital is entering a sector once dominated by the state.
This is not just a Polish story. It reflects a broader shift: nuclear power is becoming investable again.
France Leads a State‑Backed Nuclear Revival
If Croatia and Poland represent new entrants, France is the anchor of Europe’s nuclear resurgence. Paris has formally adopted a nuclear‑heavy national energy plan, reaffirming its commitment to new EPR reactors and long‑term operation of its existing fleet.
This marks a strategic reversal from the early 2010s, when France flirted with reducing its nuclear share. After a difficult period of outages and corrosion issues between 2021 and 2023, the government has concluded that nuclear power remains indispensable for energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness and climate goals.
France’s stance matters because it shapes the EU debate. Eleven member states now form a “Nuclear Alliance” pushing Brussels to treat nuclear power as a core decarbonisation technology—on equal footing with renewables.
Why Europe Is Re‑Evaluating Nuclear Power
Three structural forces explain why nuclear energy is back on the agenda.
1. Energy security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The gas shock of 2022 exposed Europe’s vulnerability. Countries that had relied on Russian gas—Germany above all—faced soaring prices and supply uncertainty. Nuclear power, by contrast, offers multi‑year fuel cycles and geopolitical insulation.
2. The limits of a renewables‑only strategy
Wind and solar have expanded rapidly, but their variability requires backup capacity, grid reinforcement and large‑scale storage—none of which is arriving fast enough. Nuclear provides stable, low‑carbon baseload power that complements renewables rather than competes with them.
3. Rising electricity demand
Europe’s electrification push—heat pumps, electric vehicles, industrial decarbonisation—combined with the growth of data centres and digital infrastructure, is driving demand upward. Even without mentioning AI, the trend is clear: Europe needs more power, not less.
The Obstacles: Cost, Politics and Public Trust
Yet nuclear power’s return is far from guaranteed.
Cost overruns remain a major barrier
EDF’s official estimate for Hinkley Point C stands at £35 billion in 2015 prices. But once inflation and delay‑related costs are included, the current‑price total moves closer to £48 billion.
This dual set of figures captures a deeper structural issue in Europe’s nuclear construction: the persistent gap between baseline projections and the real cost of delivering large‑scale projects.
Public opinion is still divided
Germany’s anti‑nuclear sentiment remains strong, and several EU states—Austria, Luxembourg, Denmark—continue to oppose nuclear expansion on safety and environmental grounds.
Waste management remains politically sensitive
Even countries supportive of nuclear power struggle to secure long‑term storage solutions.
What Comes Next: Europe’s Three Nuclear Paths
Europe is unlikely to converge on a single nuclear strategy. Instead、three distinct paths are emerging.
1. The Nuclear Core (France, Poland, Czech Republic, Finland)
Countries that see nuclear power as essential and are expanding capacity.
2. The Newcomers (Croatia, Estonia, Netherlands)
States that previously had little or no nuclear infrastructure but now view it as a strategic necessity.
3. The Holdouts (Germany, Austria, Luxembourg)
Countries committed to a post‑nuclear future, relying on renewables, imports and flexible gas capacity.
The result is a fragmented but dynamic landscape—one where nuclear power is no longer a relic of the past but a contested tool for Europe’s energy future.
The Bottom Line
Europe avoided nuclear power for political, cultural and historical reasons. Now, confronted with energy insecurity, climate constraints and rising electricity demand, it is being forced to reconsider that choice.
The continent’s nuclear future will not be uniform. But the direction of travel is unmistakable: nuclear power is back in the European conversation—this time as a pragmatic solution, not an ideological battleground.
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