The narrative around nuclear shifted decisively within the EU in 2025 with a broader acceptance of its role in delivering sustainable energy needs as well as surging interest among member states, the head of Brussels-based industry group nucleareurope told NucNet.

Director-general Emmanuel Brutin said that a recent sign of change at an EU level was the publication of the European Commission’s Nuclear Illustrative Programme (Pinc), which recognised the role that nuclear plays.

“The change of narrative was marked by the publication of the Pinc and was followed by declarations from European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in her state of the union speech in September highlighting the need to promote homegrown renewable with nuclear as baseload,” Brutin said.