nucleareurope talks nuclear project financing at IAEA General Conference

On 17 September 2026, nucleareurope Communications & Advocacy Director Jessica Johnson travelled to Vienna to participate in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General conference, held from 14 to 18 September.

In the framework of the conference, she intervened in a side event entitled “Expanding Financing Pathways For Nuclear Energy Projects”, which explored emerging approaches to financing and risk mitigation. Jessica specifically discussed the role of EU policy in unlocking private finance for nuclear projects.

“Our recent Action Plan for nuclear gives an overview of the necessary policies to support the significant nuclear investments planned across Europe. It highlights how technology neutral legislation and proactive action in key areas can help deliver on the energy transition faster and at lower costs” stressed Jessica. She added that enabling financing policies will be especially critical to unlock private capital for nuclear projects.

Jessica then called for an equitable financial framework which guarantees access to EU funding and financing mechanisms for all clean technologies. She noted that a technology neutral approach is critical to derisk private investments in nuclear, supporting the delivery of the many projects planned in Europe.

Concluding her intervention, Jessica detailed a number of key measures needed to support access to finance for the nuclear sector. She specifically called for the removal of sunset clauses and the inclusion of the nuclear fuel cycle in the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, the full inclusion of nuclear in the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the complete integration of nuclear into the EU’s clean energy investment architecture. Jessica finally welcomed recent positive developments, such as European Investment Bank loans to nuclear developers.