popular articles

Denmark considers lifting 40-year nuclear ban

The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.

Please share:

Denmark may lift the nuclear energy ban introduced in 1985, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard said in an interview published by the daily Politiken. The country plans to assess the potential benefits of new nuclear technologies as part of a government report expected in 2026.

Towards a targeted regulatory review

According to Lars Aagaard, the government aims to evaluate the relevance of a regulatory framework that would allow the emergence of small-scale nuclear reactors, known as Small Modular Reactors (SMR). These systems are described as more compact and potentially safer than conventional nuclear infrastructure.

“We are seeing developments around these new technologies. But it is not enough for them to have potential—we also need to understand what this means for Danish society,” said Aagaard, whose remarks were confirmed on Wednesday by his ministry.

Exclusion of traditional nuclear technologies

The minister clarified that any regulatory review would not concern conventional nuclear technologies. The government’s energy strategy remains focused on expanding wind and solar power, seen as the fastest and most cost-effective means of achieving the energy transition.

The nuclear ban was implemented in Denmark in 1985. In 2005, the closure of Sweden’s Barsebäck 2 reactor, located near Copenhagen, was welcomed by much of the Danish population.

Parliamentary pressure and political timeline

The announcement comes amid increasing debate within the Danish Parliament, where several opposition parties support the reintroduction of nuclear power into the national energy mix. Lars Aagaard is scheduled to respond to their questions during a public hearing held this Wednesday.

Denmark’s stance contrasts with that of Sweden, where the current government is actively pursuing a pro-nuclear agenda, with new facility projects in the pipeline. The upcoming report is expected to clarify Denmark’s regulatory position ahead of international climate deadlines such as COP29.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cooperative secures $3.43mn to modernise electrical grid

The Québec government is granting $3.43mn to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Electric Cooperative to deploy smart meters and upgrade infrastructure across 16 municipalities.
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.
African countries now spend more on debt service than on education and healthcare, limiting essential investments despite significant energy potential. The G20, under pressure, struggles to provide an adequate response to the financial and climate challenges.
African countries now spend more on debt service than on education and healthcare, limiting essential investments despite significant energy potential. The G20, under pressure, struggles to provide an adequate response to the financial and climate challenges.

Egypt authorises four private producers to supply 400 MW of electricity to industrial clients

Four renewable energy producers have been authorised to sell 400 MW directly to Egyptian industrial companies without public support.
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.
Three trade trajectories projected by Wood Mackenzie show how tariff tensions could shift demand, prices and investment in the global energy sector.
Three trade trajectories projected by Wood Mackenzie show how tariff tensions could shift demand, prices and investment in the global energy sector.

The European Union moves closer to 2030 energy targets, says Brussels

The European Commission states the Union is on track to cut emissions by 54% by 2030, following updated national plans.
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.
A Rocky Mountain Institute report reveals India’s energy ambition, with electricity demand potentially tripling by 2050, backed by an industrial policy focused on renewable energy.
A Rocky Mountain Institute report reveals India’s energy ambition, with electricity demand potentially tripling by 2050, backed by an industrial policy focused on renewable energy.

Indonesia plans 69.5 GW of new power capacity by 2034

The Indonesian government targets a mixed energy expansion involving coal, gas, renewables, and nuclear, requiring IDR2,967.4tn ($235bn) in investment by the end of 2034.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.

China surpasses 26% wind and solar electricity share in April, setting new record

In April, China generated 26% of its electricity from wind and solar, according to Ember, marking a historic first that reflects a rapid rebalancing of its energy mix.
Belgium’s federal parliament has adopted a law authorising the extension of Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors and allowing new nuclear construction, ending the nuclear phase-out policy established in 2003.
Belgium’s federal parliament has adopted a law authorising the extension of Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors and allowing new nuclear construction, ending the nuclear phase-out policy established in 2003.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.

Regulator Ofgem forecasts 7% drop in energy bills from July

The UK’s energy price cap is expected to fall to £1,720 ($2,187) in July, according to Cornwall Insight, due to recent movements in wholesale markets.
The European Commission releases data on the REPowerEU plan, confirming a sharp drop in Russian fossil fuel purchases and announcing new legislative measures by June.
The European Commission releases data on the REPowerEU plan, confirming a sharp drop in Russian fossil fuel purchases and announcing new legislative measures by June.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A $150mn financing package, including $100mn from the World Bank, will support the modernisation of Uzbekistan’s power grid and integration of renewable energy in key regions.
A $150mn financing package, including $100mn from the World Bank, will support the modernisation of Uzbekistan’s power grid and integration of renewable energy in key regions.

Advertising