Brussels : The European Commission announced the need for approximately €241 billion (around $277 billion) in investments by 2050 to expand nuclear energy production across the European Union.
In a statement, the Commission said the funding is essential to support plans by some EU member states to either extend the life of existing nuclear reactors or build new large-scale nuclear plants. It also noted the need for additional long term investments in small modular reactors and nuclear fission technologies, emphasising that both public and private sectors should contribute to financing.
The Commission underscored that all low- or zero-carbon energy sources are crucial to decarbonising the EU’s energy system. It projected that over 90% of electricity in the EU will be generated from carbon-free sources by 2040, primarily from renewables such as wind and solar energy, as well as nuclear power.
Several EU countries, including France and Belgium, are giving nuclear energy significant attention, while Poland plans to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2028.
