Forty years after the Chornobyl nuclear disaster reshaped global attitudes toward atomic energy, Europe is once again re-examining its role in the power mix. The 1986 explosion at the Chornobyl plant in Soviet Ukraine left entire communities abandoned across Ukraine and Belarus, with radiation-contaminated land still requiring centuries to fully recover.
The catastrophe had a lasting political impact, slowing or halting nuclear expansion across parts of Europe. Yet recent energy insecurity, driven by volatile fossil fuel markets and geopolitical tensions, has revived interest in nuclear power at the highest levels of the European Union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently described the post-1990s reduction in nuclear capacity as a “strategic mistake,” arguing it increased reliance on unstable energy imports. Her comments are notable given Germany’s earlier decision, completed in 2023, to fully exit nuclear power.
France has taken the opposite approach, building its energy system around nuclear generation, which now supplies around two-thirds of its electricity. President Emmanuel Macron has argued that modern reactor designs and improved safety systems have strengthened the case for nuclear energy, especially as Europe pursues decarbonisation goals.
Across the continent, several governments are revisiting earlier positions. Sweden is investing in new reactors to replace ageing infrastructure, while Denmark is considering small-scale nuclear technologies despite a long-standing ban. In Ireland, senior ministers have signalled openness to debate, reflecting shifting views driven by energy security concerns.
Energy economist Dr Lisa Ryan of University College Dublin says renewed interest is being driven by technological advances and market instability. She notes that small modular reactors, known as SMRs, are generating particular attention due to their compact design and potential flexibility for smaller electricity grids. Unlike traditional nuclear plants, SMRs can be manufactured in sections and assembled on site, reducing construction complexity and potentially lowering costs.
Countries including the United States and the United Kingdom are investing heavily in SMR development, although no western nation has yet brought the technology into commercial operation. Russia and China remain the only countries with functioning or near-operational units.
Despite growing momentum, opposition remains strong in parts of Europe. Germany’s environment minister has criticised renewed nuclear enthusiasm, arguing that wind and solar energy already provide viable alternatives. Austria continues to reject nuclear power entirely, citing safety and sustainability concerns rooted in its post-Chornobyl policy stance.
Waste storage also remains unresolved in many countries. Finland, however, is preparing to become the first nation to permanently dispose of nuclear waste underground at its Onkalo facility.
Ukraine’s energy situation highlights the ongoing complexity of nuclear reliance. Following sustained attacks on its energy infrastructure, nuclear power now accounts for roughly 70% of its electricity generation, while Europe’s largest nuclear facility in Zaporizhzhia remains under Russian control.
In Ireland, public opinion remains divided, though support has gradually increased. Analysts suggest that while nuclear technology is regaining attention, its long-term role in Europe will depend on cost, safety, and how quickly emerging technologies can become commercially viable.
