Source: European Parliament
The choice of the energy sources in the energy mix, and the decision to use or not use nuclear energy, remains within the remit of each Member State in accordance with the Treaty on Functioning of the EU[1].
In order to decarbonize its economy and to end energy dependencies on unreliable suppliers, the EU has been accelerating its energy transition plans.
This transition must be technology neutral[2]. According to The Commission’s projections, all zero and low carbon energy solutions, including nuclear energy, are needed to meet the 2040 decarbonisation targets[3].
The Commission is committed to respecting and applying the principle of technological neutrality , as reflected in the Clean Industrial Deal (CID)[4] and the Affordable Energy Action Plan (AEAP)[5].
As announced in the AEAP, the Commission will assess investments needs in an updated Nuclear Illustrative Programme and the possibility of streamlining current permitting and licensing practices for the deployment of new nuclear technologies in the EU, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
In addition, the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs was launched to facilitate the deployment of first SMRs in the EU by early 2030s.
The Commission will continue to support the work of the Alliance in line with the mission letter of the Commissioner for Energy and Housing.
The Commission oversees the compatibility of state aid granted by Member States with the EU State aid rules. As announced in the CID, the Commission will assess the state aid for nuclear supply chains and technologies, including SMRs, in line with the Treaty and with respect to technological neutrality.
- [1] Article194 of the Treaty on Functioning of the European Union.
- [2] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2025-01/COM%202025%2030%20-%20A%20Competitiveness%20Compass%20for%20the%20EU%20_%2029-1-2025.pdf).
- [3] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: ‘Securing Europe’s 2040 climate target and path to climate neutrality by 2050 building a sustainable, just and prosperous society’ (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A63%3AFIN).
- [4] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/9db1c5c8-9e82-467b-ab6a-905feeb4b6b0_en
- [5] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/7e2e6198-b6b8-46fe-b263-984b437da3ab_en?filename=Communication%20-%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Affordable%20Energy.pdf