The EU is pivoting back to nuclear after decades of hesitation, driven by the dual shock of the energy crisis and the realisation that renewables alone can't power a heavy industrial economy.
The record-breaking disruption to the global energy supply triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is the main cause of the crisis. The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned a daily loss of approximately 13 million barrels. And in just the first 17 days of the Iran war, the EU was forced to spend an additional €6 billion on fossil fuel imports due to soaring prices.
To ensure energy independence and affordability, Brussels turning its attention back to the nuclear sector, fixing a grid that renewables alone cannot stabilise. This pivot marks a transition toward a strategic “energy mix”, where the reliability of nuclear baseload is being embraced as partner to the volatility of wind and solar.
In a March 2026 address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I believe that it was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emissions power”. Nuclear energy emerges as a good option.
Brussels’ nuclear push is renewed but not unprecedented. Criticisms of nuclear include high costs and long timelines for construction, along with the unresolved long-term management of radioactive waste and the sensitivity of public opinion regarding safety. Renewables are key as they provide electricity, heating, and transport by minimising dependence on fossil fuels. The EU needs to double past rates of renewable deployment, according to the European Environment Agency.
Beyond nuclear and renewables, the EU is integrating Natural Gas/LNG and Green Hydrogen as critical additional options. The EU Energy Hub manages both, to sum up demand and keep member states from outbidding each other on the global market.
According to Rosita Zilli, Policy Director at the European Energy Research Alliance in Brussels, renewables and nuclear sources won’t fix Europe's energy security alone. Energy sufficiency must be a core part of the bloc's energy strategy.