The European Commission has opened the door to allowing nuclear energy to be eligible for funding under the EU’s next long-term budget for 2028-2034.

In an annex to its €2tn ($2.3tn) budget proposal, the commission listed nuclear power as an activity countries can fund through their national share of the budget – specifically, “new or additional fission energy capacity installed in GW”.

The move would mark a significant policy shift and has already triggered opposition from some member states, including Germany.

Under the proposal, nuclear power – specifically new fission capacity –could be financed through national and regional partnership plans.