EU Energy Projects Podcast: Why nuclear deserves a bigger role in Europe’s energy future

In this episode, I wanted to dig deeper into why that is and whether new innovations could change the narrative. To do that, I spoke with Candice Boudet (CEA, SNETP) and Jan Prehradný (RCR, SNETP).

Prehradný was very clear about the sector’s biggest challenge: perception. “Unfortunately, the underestimation of nuclear energy is one of the longest standing difficulties this sector has faced… nuclear power plants are currently the best technical solution for providing a long-term reliable and high-performance source of electricity that we are capable of designing and operating safely.”

And yet, the shadow of Chernobyl, Fukushima, and other incidents still lingers, compounded by the fact that nuclear projects take years to complete; far longer than a solar farm that can be up and running in weeks.

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For me, that political short-termism is frustrating. As I told Prehradný, what I never understood is why leaders choose to bury nuclear after accidents instead of doubling down on safety. That feels like throwing away one of the most powerful tools we have for decarbonisation.

And this is where small modular reactors (SMRs) give me hope. As Boudet explained, “SMRs are smaller, quicker to build, and more flexible than traditional reactors. They bring advanced safety features and can fit more easily alongside renewables.”

To me, that sounds like a game-changer. Not only for Europe’s grid, but for industrial needs like hydrogen production too.

The discussion I had with these two experts reinforced my view: if Europe is serious about climate neutrality, nuclear has to move from the margins to the mainstream.