FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We Are Innovation Research Explores Europe’s Strategic Nuclear Future
Lisbon, Portugal (February 20, 2025)—The We Are Innovation (WAI) global network published a new Briefing Paper titled Nuclear Energy in Transition: Europe’s Revival, Global Trends, and the Role of Emerging Technologies. The document analyzes the nuclear energy revival currently happening worldwide, addressing its challenges, trends, and possible outcomes for the economy, technology, and innovation.
Europe is currently facing several energy challenges, catalyzed by contexts such as climate change, energetic dependency from Russia, and the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Given this scenario, the revival of nuclear energy appeared as a possible solution for the Europeans’ energy transition.
The gradual elimination of nuclear power in Germany marked a dramatic shift for Europe’s industrial giant. While widespread public concern over nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima fueled support for the shutdown, the resulting spike in energy costs and economic challenges led many to question this dramatic energy transition.
In contrast, several European Union (EU) member states are moving towards a nuclear revival. In Italy, the government is working on a plan to create smaller modular plants and a national document for atomic waste. France, in turn, intends to open fourteen new plants by 2050. Other countries, like Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Bulgaria, are committed to Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs), which appear as a safer, cleaner, more flexible, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional large-scale reactors.
Moreover, other nations are also focusing on new developments in nuclear energy. China, for instance, has an ambitious program of nuclear expansion until 2030 to become the first country in the world to produce domestic nuclear energy. In Silicon Valley’s heart, Google partnered with Kairos Power to meet AI’s energy demand. Additionally, the United Nations (UN) COP28 conference reached a critical agreement on the intention to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 to complete the transition from fossil fuels and mitigate the climate issue.
We Are Innovation recommends promoting SMRs as a strategic solution, investing in education and workforce development, and correlating nuclear production, innovation, and prosperity. This briefing paper reinforces that such decisions will shape not only Europe’s energy landscape but also its economic and technological competitiveness in the decades to come.
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ABOUT WE ARE INNOVATION
We Are Innovation is a dynamic network of individuals and institutions who deeply believe in innovation’s power to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing problems. With over 45 think tanks, foundations, and NGOs based worldwide, We Are Innovation represents the diverse voices of a global civil society committed to advancing human creativity, adopting new technologies, and promoting innovative solutions. Through our collaborative approach and cutting-edge expertise, we are driving global transformative change. To learn more about our work, visit us at https://weareinnovation.global/
