A new level of political consensus is needed in Europe to back up nuclear power’s return to the construction phase and to retain a competitive global position, the nuclear power industry recommended at a round table at the inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit (NES) in Brussels on 21 March.

“At Cop28, countries agreed that nuclear power is part of the solution to climate change, but also that we must accelerate the sector,” International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi said at NES.

“This may seem bureaucratic at first glance, but it is not, as many political decisions depend on the governments’ opinion, while being ‘in favour of’ or ‘not opposing’ are two different positions,” Grossi said.

French president Emmanuel Macron said in his country declaration at NES that “the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs [small modular reactors] is a sign of strength and willingness to do more for the economy. “It is a challenge to deliver on climate change, improve energy sovereignty and reduce emissions,” which would also “create jobs by increasing competitiveness”.