Source: European Parliament
The Commission recognises the role of nuclear energy in contributing to energy security and decarbonisation while the decision on its use remains with each Member State[1].
In 2040, it is expected[2] that over 90% of the electricity consumption in the EU will rely on decarbonised sources, primarily renewables, complemented by cost efficient clean sources.
The EU has been addressing critical risks to its security of energy supply while accelerating the transition towards climate neutrality. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 could cut energy import dependency from 61% in 2019 to below 30% by 2040[3], with notable progress being made on renewable energy[4].
Also, recent legislative initiatives[5] support EU industry to face global competition in net-zero technologies. The launch of the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors also aims to enhance EU technological leadership in this emerging nuclear technology, which would support EU’s energy autonomy.
The Commission ensures that Member States using nuclear energy comply with the Euratom Treaty and its derived legislation[6], implementing the highest standards and continuous improvement of nuclear safety, responsible and safe waste management, radiation protection, and nuclear safeguards.
To this end, the Commission makes use of the expertise and experience of Member States’ nuclear safety regulatory authorities through the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group[7].
- [1] Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Article 194: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02016E%2FTXT-20240901
- [2] 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
- [3] SWD(2024) 63 final, Section 6.2.
- [4] In the first half of 2024, half of the EU’s electricity generation came from renewable sources. Wind power overtook gas to become the EU’s second largest source of electricity behind nuclear. State of the Energy Union Report 2024 (COM/2024/404), p. 2 (https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/state-energy-union-report-2024_en) .
- [5] e.g. The Net-Zero Industry Act, the Critical Raw Materials Act, or the reform of the Electricity Market Design.
- [6] Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=OJ:L:2014:013:TOC); Council Directive 2014/87/Euratom of 8 July 2014 amending Directive 2009/71/Euratom (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2014.219.01.0042.01.ENG); Council Directive 2011/70/Euratom of 19 July 2011 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32011L0070).
- [7] The European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) is an independent, expert advisory group created in 2007 following a decision of the European Commission. It is composed of senior officials from the national nuclear safety, radioactive waste safety or radiation protection regulatory authorities and senior civil servants with competence in these fields from all Member States in the European Union and representatives of the European Commission. ENSREG’s role is to help to establish the conditions for continuous improvement and to reach a common understanding in the areas of nuclear safety and radioactive waste management.