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Energy

Nuclear investment needs

To meet its energy and climate targets, and in addition to investing in renewables, energy efficiency and grid capacity, the EU also needs investments in nuclear energy, both fission and fusion.

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
©AdobeStock/Engel.ac

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 Gigawatt electric (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.

8th 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 8th PINC was published, showing that nuclear energy will require significant investments, of around €241 billion until 2050 in present value terms, both for lifetime extensions of existing reactors and the construction of new large-scale reactors. Additional investments are needed for small modular reactors (SMRs), including advanced modular reactors (AMRs) and microreactors and in fusion for the longer-term future. The European Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion on PINC in December 2025.

Additional investments are needed for small modular reactors (SMRs), including advanced modular reactors (AMRs) and microreactors and in fusion for the longer-term future. The Commission will therefore create a €200 million guarantee to support private investment, as detailed in the EU Strategy for small modular reactors, adopted on 10 March 2026. 

The process

  1. 10 March 2026

    Publication of the final PINC

  2. 4 December 2025

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted its Opinion

  3. 16 June 2025

    EU countries discussed the PINC at the Energy Council

  4. 13 June 2025

    Commission adopted the PINC for the Opinion of the EESC

  5. 14 April - 12 May 2025

    EU countries, civil society organisations, businesses, and other interested parties were invited to contribute through a 4-week call for evidence. Throughout the preparation process, the Commission engaged a broad range of stakeholders. 

Previous programmes

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

Nuclear investment needs until 2050

In 2024, nuclear power plants in 12 EU countries produced 23.3% of our electricity. While some EU countries have decided to discontinue operations after a certain date, others plan to continue or expand their production and use of nuclear energy. For these countries, 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.

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