European summit advocates for nuclear energy revival

European leaders and energy experts are set to advocate for a revival of nuclear energy on Thursday at a summit in Brussels, aiming to rejuvenate an industry that has been in decline for years, according to Reuters.

The push for nuclear expansion, a low-carbon energy source, is part of the effort to achieve Europe’s ambitious climate goals.

However, challenges such as lack of investment, cost overruns, and delays in recent projects pose significant obstacles.

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol emphasised the importance of nuclear power in achieving climate targets on time.

Nuclear energy had fallen out of favour in Europe due to safety concerns following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. This led Germany to shut down six nuclear plants immediately and phase out its remaining reactors by April 2023.

However, the need for alternatives to Russian gas after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the European Union’s commitment to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 have renewed interest in nuclear power.

Despite this, EU countries are divided on the promotion of nuclear energy, with France leading the pro-nuclear camp and Austria and Germany advocating for a focus on renewable sources.