On 1 June 2026, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told the Nuclear Europe Conference that nuclear power must play a central role alongside renewables in Europe's future energy mix, warning that the EU must phase out Russian nuclear supplies and invest heavily in innovative technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs).
Jørgensen said the EU's analysis shows that a mix of renewables and nuclear could generate 90% of Europe's electricity by 2040, freeing the continent from fossil-fuel volatility and enhancing energy autonomy. He stressed that safety and security of supply are the foundation blocks of the sector, calling for continued global leadership on safety standards and deep geological repositories for radioactive waste. On security of supply, he noted that while REPowerEU has made progress in diversifying nuclear fuel supplies for Russian-designed reactors, more work is needed on spare parts and alternatives in enrichment and conversion, with the Commission working with member states and industry to ensure a gradual phase-out of Russian supplies.
The speech contained several concrete proposals and numerical targets. Jørgensen highlighted the Commission's final Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC), published in March 2026, which estimates total investment needs of around €241 billion for a base-case scenario of 109 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2050, with scenarios ranging from 70 to 144 GWe. He said SMR capacity across the EU could range from 17 to 53 GWe by 2050. To bridge the gap between innovation and commercialisation, the Commission has pointed to €200 million in guarantees to de-risk investments in innovative nuclear technologies, and the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposal allocates €6.7 billion to the Euratom Research and Training Programme. Jørgensen also noted that 13 member states have endorsed a potential Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) candidate on innovative nuclear technologies.
Jørgensen outlined the EU's SMR Strategy, which builds on the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs (now around 400 members). The strategy aims to bring Europe's first SMR projects online by the early 2030s and to become a leader in fourth-generation advanced technologies. He emphasised three pillars: focus on a limited number of promising designs; scale through industrial standards, modular manufacturing, and 'SMR Valleys'; and coordination among member states via joint early reviews, regulatory sandboxes, and an SMR coalition. He also mentioned that the Commission will present its Electrification Action Plan in the coming weeks, which he called a turning point for Europe.
The speech was largely declaratory and supportive of nuclear, with no mention of opposition or criticism. Jørgensen framed nuclear as a strategic sector for Europe's energy future, alongside renewables, and called for continued cooperation between public authorities, industry, and finance. The policy orientation is clearly pro-nuclear, advocating for increased EU investment, regulatory coordination, and a gradual phase-out of Russian supplies, shifting the status quo towards a more assertive and integrated EU approach to nuclear energy.
EU nuclear industry stands to benefit from increased investment, de-risking mechanisms, and regulatory support, but faces pressure to deliver projects on time and on budget. EU member states with nuclear ambitions gain a clearer EU framework and potential access to funding, but those without nuclear may see limited direct impact. EU taxpayers and consumers could benefit from lower energy costs and greater energy independence, but may bear the cost of public funding and guarantees. Russian nuclear fuel suppliers face a gradual but determined phase-out from the EU market, reducing their influence and revenue.