nucleareurope co-organises Polish presidency event on nuclear siting strategies
On 28 April 2025, nucleareurope and the permanent representation of Poland to the European Union co-organised an event on policy and siting strategies for new nuclear. The Brussels-held event gathered policy makers, industrial stakeholders and civil society representatives to discuss policy conditions for the development of new nuclear, siting strategies for large and small reactors as well as public acceptance and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
Following an opening statement by Paweł Gajda, Director of the Polish Ministry of Industry’s Nuclear Energy Department, nucleareurope Director General Emmanuel Brutin gave a keynote address, highlighting the importance of the nuclear sector for European energy sovereignty, decarbonisation and affordability, but also for European competitiveness. He stressed that many Member States have announced plans to continue using nuclear or to invest in new capacities, and that the sector is set to play a key role in the energy transition.
“Projections for future nuclear capacity – based on currently available National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and recent political statements – point towards an installed nuclear capacity of more than 140 gigawatt (GW) by 2050. This is a major opportunity for European competitiveness, with nuclear set to generate significant revenues and support local jobs. It also means that policies must provide a regulatory framework which is conducive to the development of new nuclear capacity and which addresses key issues such as financing and skills shortages” noted Emmanuel, adding that public acceptance of new nuclear projects is also key, and requires inclusive siting strategies.
Following the opening keynote speeches, the first panel, moderated by nucleareurope Communications and Advocacy Director Jessica Johnson, tackled the question of nuclear developments in the EU from a policy and industry perspective. Massimo Garribba, Deputy Director General at the European Commission’s DG Energy, discussed European regulatory developments, detailing the main topics to be tackled in upcoming policy files. Maciej Witucki, Vice-President of Business Europe, provided a business perspective on nuclear developments in Poland, highlighting the benefits of nuclear for energy consumers. Finally, Marcin Kamiński, from Polish company Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ), outlined current plans for new nuclear in Poland, discussing policy needs from an industry perspective.
The second panel was specifically focused on siting strategies and public acceptance. The panel was composed of Alena Mastantuono, Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee TEN Section; Gerben Dijksterhuis, President of the Municipalities with nuclear facilities (GMF) and Mayor of the Dutch municipality of Borsele; Merja Airola, partner in the European funded TANDEM project; and Antoine Guelfi, Director of Exports Services at EDF’s International Nuclear Development department. All panellists highlighted the importance of having a constructive dialogue with local communities in the vicinity of nuclear facilities, building trust between all stakeholders, and involving the civil society throughout the lifetime of the nuclear project – including during the plant’s operation.
Concluding the event, Ambassador Arkadiusz Pluciński, Deputy Head of Poland’s Permanent Representation to the EU, and Emmanuel Brutin, nucleareurope Director General, summed up the main takeaways from the discussion, both noting that adapted policies and investment in stakeholder dialogue will be key to the development of the EU’s nuclear energy sector.