Europe’s nuclear ambitions risk stalling without urgent reforms to European Union frameworks, including financing and workforce development, nuclear industry executives have said.

Branislav Strycek, chief executive of Slovakia’s nuclear operator Slovenske Elektrarne, told the European Nuclear Energy Forum (Enef) in Bratislava that the continent’s nuclear plans are at risk due to permitting delays, unsuitable market structures and a shortage of skilled workers.

He said the current permitting process alone can take “no less than five years” before construction begins, with projects requiring “at least 10 years” more to build.