Nuclear investment needs

Homegrown, affordable and clean energy supports the EU’s decarbonisation, competitiveness and resilience objectives as indicated in the Clean Industrial Deal and Action Plan for Affordable Energy. Projections show that decarbonised sources will generate over 90% of electricity in the EU in 2040, primarily from renewables, complemented by nuclear energy.

Nuclear Illustrative Programme

Under the Euratom Treaty’s Article 40, the Commission is required to periodically publish a Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC).

The key objectives of PINC are to

provide an up-to-date comprehensive, fact-based overview of nuclear development trends and a scope of the investment needs across the EU in line with decarbonisation targets and the REPowerEU and Clean Industrial Deal goals
facilitate evidence-based and transparent discussions on nuclear energy trends and associated investment needs among the Euratom members

For some EU countries, nuclear energy is an important component of their decarbonisation, industrial competitiveness, and security of supply strategies. Nuclear installed capacity across the EU is projected to grow from 98 GWe in 2025 to around 109 GWe by 2050. Crucially, all zero and low carbon energy solutions are needed to decarbonise the EU’s energy system.

It is therefore important to maintain the EU’s industrial leadership in this sector. This nuclear illustrative programme will help drive EU countries’ actions towards priority areas.

8^th Programme

Since the 2017 programme was presented, the EU’s energy and nuclear landscape has evolved, driven by a strengthened decarbonisation agenda, geopolitical dynamics, and increased emphasis on competitiveness, affordability, security of supply, and innovation.

On 13 June 2025, the 8^th PINC was published, showing that nuclear energy will require significant investments, of around €241 billion until 2050, both for lifetime extensions of existing reactors and the construction of new large-scale reactors. Additional investments are needed for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) and microreactors and in fusion for the longer-term future.

The process

The Commission will publish the final version of the programme after receiving the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee. It will also be discussed with EU countries at the Energy Council on 16 June 2025.

Stakeholders were engaged throughout the preparation process. EU countries, civil society, businesses, and other stakeholders were invited to participate in a 4-week Call for evidence from 14 April - 12 May 2025.

Previous programmes

The Commission previously adopted Nuclear illustrative programmes in 1966, 1972, 1984, 1990, 1997, 2008, and 2017.

Nuclear investment needs until 2050

In 2023, nuclear power plants in 13 EU countries produced 22.8% of our electricity. Some EU countries plan to continue or expand their nuclear production, while others have decided to discontinue operations after a certain date.

For countries who choose to continue or expand their production and use of nuclear energy, significant investments are required until 2050 to

help finance new large-scale reactors and the lifetime extension of existing reactors
maintain the EU’s industrial leadership in nuclear energy and its fundamental commitment to ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety and safeguards
support research and innovation, including in the areas of small modular reactors and fusion energy

Ending Russian nuclear imports

As in all areas of the energy sector, diversifying supply sources across the entire nuclear energy value chain is crucial.

The Commission’s REPowerEU Roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports to the EU includes specific measures for the nuclear energy sector including restrictions on new supply contracts co-signed by the Euratom Supply Agency concerning uranium, enriched uranium and other nuclear materials deriving from Russia.