popular articles

Sweden urges EU to support nuclear power expansion

Sweden calls for stronger European support for nuclear power, aiming for a 2.5 GW expansion by 2035 and a doubling of production by 2045.
Centrale nucléaire de Forsmark, en Suède

Please share:

Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Minister for Energy and Deputy Prime Minister, urges European institutions to stop obstructing the development of nuclear power.
She points out that each member state of the European Union (EU) retains the right to choose its own energy solutions, and that the majority of EU countries, as well as the European Council, support nuclear power.
At the“Roadmaps to New Nuclear” conference in Paris, organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Busch stressed the importance of the EU not imposing blockages, particularly through binding regulations.
The nuclear sector is seen as essential to meeting energy and decarbonization challenges, particularly in a context where several countries, including Sweden, are aiming to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
In 2023, under the Swedish presidency of the EU, the European Nuclear Alliance was created, bringing together 12 nuclear-friendly countries.
This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between these nations to support development and innovation in this sector.

Necessary financial support for European nuclear competitiveness

Busch insists on the need for stronger state support for the European nuclear industry, pointing out that powers such as the USA and China have already invested heavily in this field.
Without greater public support, Europe risks losing its competitiveness in the face of these countries, which massively support their energy sector, particularly nuclear power.
The Minister also points out that the nuclear industry plays a key role in the decarbonization of economies and energy independence.
She therefore calls on Member States to mobilize to support investment in new production capacity.
Financial support for the nuclear industry in Europe is now a crucial issue, not only to remain competitive on a global scale, but also to meet the energy and climate objectives set by the EU.
The European Commission, though divided on the issue, is increasingly called upon to provide a regulatory framework to facilitate such financing.

Sweden’s ambitious nuclear plans

Sweden itself has clear plans.
The country plans to add 2.5 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2035, as part of a wider objective to double its electricity production by 2045.
This new capacity could take the form of large units or Small Modular Reactors (SMR), a promising modular reactor technology that enables smaller plants to be built with lower costs and greater flexibility.
Busch also points out that Sweden is targeting several crucial aspects to unlock the expansion of nuclear power, including the simplification of regulations that are currently holding back many projects.
Another major issue is the management of nuclear waste, particularly highly radioactive waste, for which safe storage solutions are essential.
These technical and logistical challenges are a brake on the achievement of nuclear objectives, but efforts are being made to overcome them.

Challenges and opportunities for the European nuclear industry

The development of nuclear power in Europe remains divided, however.
Countries such as Austria, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg continue to oppose this energy source, citing concerns about safety and the environmental impact of radioactive waste treatment.
This division between member states complicates the implementation of a coherent European nuclear strategy.
However, the European Nuclear Alliance represents a significant effort to standardize approaches and encourage the exchange of expertise and technologies between nuclear-friendly countries.
The European nuclear industry also sees SMRs as an opportunity to revitalize the sector.
These small-scale reactors offer advantages in terms of cost, safety and modularity, enabling faster integration into national energy mixes.
Their development is particularly closely monitored in Sweden, where current projects are part of a long-term strategy to maintain energy independence while meeting decarbonization targets.

Outlook for nuclear power in Europe

State support for nuclear power, whether through direct subsidies, public-private partnerships or tax incentives, is now seen as a sine qua non for ensuring Europe’s competitiveness in this field.
Sweden, through its active advocacy of nuclear power, is trying to influence the decisions of the European Commission and other member states to foster a regulatory and financial environment conducive to the sector’s expansion.
Europe also needs to accelerate research and development, particularly around new-generation technologies such as SMRs and fourth-generation reactors.
This includes efforts to improve waste management and guarantee plant safety, points often criticized by opponents of nuclear power.
The future of nuclear power in Europe will therefore be played out on both the political and economic fronts, with the stakes going far beyond the borders of individual member states and affecting Europe’s place in the global energy transition.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

NANO Nuclear strengthens its board with former U.S. Department of Energy official

NANO Nuclear Energy has appointed Intel executive and former U.S. Department of Energy leader Seth Berl as an independent director to support its strategy in advanced nuclear technologies.
The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.

Ansaldo Energia signs strategic nuclear agreement with Uzbekistan

Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.

enCore Energy receives licence for Texas uranium project and begins construction

Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.

NexGen Announces Record Uranium Discovery at Patterson Corridor East

NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.

Washington approves launch of uranium and vanadium mine in Utah

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.

India approves siting of four new nuclear reactors in Rajasthan

India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.

Advertising