nucleareurope discusses EU policy at Nuvia convention
On 10 June 2026, nucleareurope Legal and International Relations Director Berta Picamal participated in the Tarragona-held Nuvia convention, to give a presentation on the revival of nuclear energy in Europe. The presentation provided the occasion to exchange with Nuvia representatives, who have been very active in nucleareurope since joining as a corporate member in 2021.
Berta’s intervention first highlighted the nuclear sector’s contributions to the EU’s economy. She stressed that last year, nuclear generated close to a quarter of EU electricity, generating over €100 billion, and supporting 900 000 jobs. She added these numbers will increase alongside installed nuclear capacity in the EU, which is projected to reach close to 150 Gigawatt (GW) by 2050.
“There are significant investment plans in nuclear across EU Member States, both for lifetime extension of existing reactors, and large and small new build. This will also entail a ramp up of the supply chain, and major workforce needs” stressed Berta, adding that an enabling policy framework will be necessary to support the industry in delivering on these investments.
Berta further highlighted a change of narrative on nuclear in Europe, both at national and European level. She noted that an increasing number of member States now support nuclear, and that European institutions have recently had a more open discourse on the technology, which has translated in positive policy developments such as the inclusion of nuclear in the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, the creation of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, or the publication of a Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC) which accurately reflects Member States’ nuclear investment plans.
Berta however stressed that this evolution in discourse needs to be complemented by further concrete policy action. She gave an overview of nucleareurope’s Action Plan, which outlines key actions to support nuclear development in policies related to climate, finance, regulation, fuel cycle and supply chain.
Following the presentation of the Action Plan, Berta listed some key files followed by Nucleareurope, including the Industrial Accelerator Act, the Multiannual Financial Framework, and the post-2030 climate framework. She added that supply chain is also currently a major topic, and presented nucleareurope’s interactive supply chain mapping tool.
Concluding her intervention, Berta thanked Nuvia for welcoming her at the convention, and for their support to nucleareurope’s advocacy activities throughout the years.