2025-06-13 17:46
publication
2025-06-13 17:46
The European Commission assessed on Friday that by 2050 European Union countries should invest over EUR 240 billion in nuclear energy development. She noted that without the use of all available energy sources available, the decarbonization of the EU energy system will not be possible.
The indicated amount includes both costs related to the extending of the exploitation period of existing reactors (EUR 36 billion), as from the construction of new large nuclear reactors (EUR 205 billion). The Commission emphasized that additional investments in the development of small modular reactors (SMR), advanced modular reactors (AMR), microreactors and thermunate synthesis technology – although there is currently no commercially operating system of its use, will also be needed.
According to the spokeswoman for the EC Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, the Commission's forecasts are based on updated domestic plans in the field of energy and climate, which Brussels transfer Member States.
“Updated domestic plans indicate that nuclear energy will still be a key source of clean electricity, heat for industry and households, as well as hydrogen production,” said Ikonen during a press conference in Brussels.
Currently, nuclear energy is used in 12 out of 27 EU countries, but a group of countries supporting its development is wider. They also include Poland, which plans to build two nuclear power plants. The concrete under the first of them is to take place in 2028 in the Lociatowo-Kopalino location in Pomerania.
In total, about 100 nuclear reactors currently operate in EU countries, and more are being built. New investments are implemented, among others in Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.
The EC also drew attention to the need to expand the infrastructure to utilize radioactive waste and burned nuclear fuel, as well as safely withdrawing reactors from operation.
“All investments in nuclear energy must meet the highest standards of nuclear safety, radiological protection, management of radioactive waste and security in the EU” – it was written in the Commission's announcement.
The estimates presented on Friday are part of the wider EU phrase towards nuclear energy, which gained a pace after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The symbolic expression was the March speech of the chairman of the EC Ursula von der Leyen, in which she assessed that high energy prices are the main barrier to the competitiveness of the EU economy, and the answer to this problem is switching to low -emission sources – renewable and nuclear energy.
According to the EC forecasts, as much as 90 percent Electricity in the EU is to come from non -emission sources – mainly renewable, supplemented by nuclear energy. Currently, atomic energy is responsible for about 25 percent. electricity production in the EU and for 50 percent low -emission energy.
From Brussels Maria Wiśniewska (PAP)
MWS/ AKL/ ry/
