Nuclear energy has returned to the forefront of the European agenda. It's not a new issue, but the context of volatile prices, geopolitical tensions, and electrification has changed the tone. Italy has approved a legal framework that allows it to look again at reactors almost four decades after closing them. The Italian decision doesn't mean it will generate nuclear electricity immediately , but it does open the door to future development.
In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already described the rollback of nuclear energy over the past few decades as a strategic mistake. The EU has included nuclear power in its green energy taxonomy and published an indicative program to maintain it in the energy mix by 2050. France, with around 65% of its electricity generated by nuclear power , appears to be the main proponent, while other countries are observing the movement.
Italy breaks the taboo and lays the legal groundwork
The Italian Senate approved the measure with 81 votes in favor, 51 against, and 7 abstentions. The government of Giorgia Meloni will have 12 months to draft the decrees on safety, licensing, waste, and sites. The prime minister hailed the move as a courageous and common-sense choice. Italy had been importing nuclear electricity from neighboring countries, primarily France, which is increasing its investment in nuclear power , but was unable to produce it domestically.
The referendums of 1987, following Chernobyl, and 2011, following Fukushima, marked Italy's rejection of nuclear energy. Current law does not yet authorize a single kilowatt of nuclear power nor does it reactivate old reactors. It only establishes the framework for the government to develop regulations. Meloni has insisted that these are new-generation technologies , not a repetition of the old, large-scale nuclear power plant model.
Energy security, data and artificial intelligence
The increase in electricity demand is one of the driving forces behind this shift. Data centers, artificial intelligence, electric mobility, and industry all require a stable, 24/7 supply. The International Energy Agency estimated that data centers could consume 945 TWh annually by 2030, more than double the amount consumed in 2024. Nuclear power is emerging as a reliable, low-emission energy source that can complement renewables, grids, pumped storage, and batteries.
Meloni has linked nuclear power to less dependence on foreign energy sources, reduced exposure to international crises, and a response to the growing demand for data and AI. In the United States, the US is accelerating the development of nuclear power to fuel AI , and operators like Vistra have secured long-term nuclear power supply agreements with hyperscalers such as Amazon and Meta to power their data centers following their acquisition of Energy Harbor. The link between data centers and 24/7 electricity reinforces interest in existing reactors and new projects.
Modular reactors and advanced fuel
Small modular reactors (SMRs) have become one of the most promising technologies. They are envisioned for localized needs, such as data centers or remote sites, as well as for maritime and space propulsion applications. Standardization and modularization could shorten construction times and facilitate more industrial-scale deployment. Proponents speak of gradual growth and lower power output per unit , although they require capital, long lead times, and specialized supply chains.
There is also interest in fast and molten salt reactors, some of them fourth-generation. These would allow for better utilization of spent fuel and a reduction in the most hazardous waste. A report by the Nuclear Energy Agency identified 127 SMR technologies and assessed 74 using publicly available data. The IEA estimates that annual investment would need to double to $120.000 billion by 2030 in a scenario of strong expansion. The World Nuclear Association projects 1.457 GWe by 2050 if the projects and targets are met.
Spain and the struggle over Cofrentes
Spain is among the twelve EU countries with operating nuclear power plants, along with Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. The debate on the future of Spain's nuclear fleet remains open. In the Valencian Community, the continued operation of the Cofrentes nuclear plant was the focus of the 4th Energy Forum, where government, businesses, and industry representatives agreed on the need for a sufficient, stable, and competitive supply. The closure of Cofrentes was linked to security of supply, grid stability, and attracting investment.
Regional Minister Vicente MartÃnez Mus defended decisions based on technical criteria, safety, and supply security, without preconceived notions. Iberdrola emphasized that the plant provides firm energy regardless of the weather. Cox called for better grid planning, and Avaesen urged a review of renewable energy targets and progress on energy storage. The shared idea was to combine renewables, grids, batteries, hydrogen, and firm generation to support industry and meet new electricity demand.
Waste, safety and dependence on uranium
The criticism hasn't disappeared. Greenpeace points to the risks posed by earthquakes, floods, extreme weather events, and reactor aging. Production generates relatively little waste, but it is radioactive and remains dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years. Italian referendums demonstrated how safety concerns and past accidents influence public acceptance. Waste management and decommissioning remain both a business and a long-term challenge.
Energy sovereignty also has its limits. Europe lacks sufficient resources to enrich uranium and convert it into nuclear fuel, so it remains dependent on imports. This weakens part of the argument for emancipation. Nuclear power can reduce dependence on gas and coal, but it does not eliminate all external vulnerabilities.
Industrial opportunities in the nuclear sector
Nuclear activity is not limited to producing electricity. The Spanish group ACS, through its German subsidiary Hochtief, has secured a long-term contract worth £15 billion (approximately €1.500 billion) to support Sellafield Ltd in Cumbria. The agreement falls under the PACE program and covers operation, maintenance, design, equipment, asset management, and decommissioning. The contract can last up to 1.750 years, with an initial nine years and an option to extend for six.
Sellafield is the UK's largest nuclear facility and one of the most complex due to the volume of radioactive waste and the presence of obsolete installations. Its cleanup is budgeted at £136.000 billion, 18% more than in 2019, and will require decades of work. A British parliamentary report acknowledges technical progress but considers it slow and points to cost overruns and management problems. ACS is thus reinforcing its diversification in nuclear engineering , with experience in design, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning.
The European nuclear movement is progressing, with Italy being the latest country to create a legal framework, though without immediate authorization for generation. The EU, France, and other partners defend nuclear energy as a source of energy security, decarbonization, and the demand for data and AI. Small-scale reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactors promise new avenues, although financing, permits, and the industrial supply chain dictate the pace. In Spain, the Cofrentes nuclear plant and the entire nuclear fleet remain at the center of a debate that intertwines firm supply, grids, costs, and climate. The future will depend less on announcements and more on the actual implementation of projects, regulations, and waste management.
