nucleareurope discusses energy policy and nuclear developments at FISA-Euradwaste conference and SNETP Forum
From 12 to 16 May, the Fission Safety of Reactor Systems (FISA) and Radioactive Waste Management (EURADWASTE) Conference and SNETP Forum 2025 took place in Warsaw, bringing together a wide range of experts, industry representatives, academics and policy makers to discuss nuclear research, education and training.
In the framework of the event, nucleareurope Director General Emmanuel Brutin intervened in one of the conference’s plenary sessions, while nucleareurope Communications and Advocacy Director Jessica Johnson moderated a panel discussion on social, ethical, and cultural factors in energy policy. Nucleareurope Policy Director Andrei Goicea also intervened in two of the conference’s sessions: a crash course on nuclear in the EU and a panel discussion on pioneering investment and financial models towards innovation and demonstration.
In his intervention, Emmanuel highlighted the role of nuclear energy in Europe – which in 2024 was the single largest source of electricity generation in the EU – and detailed projections for future nuclear capacity. He stressed that according to nucleareurope’s analysis of currently available National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and political announcements, installed nuclear capacity in the EU could reach over 140GW by 2050.
“An increase in installed nuclear capacity in the EU will bring about considerable benefits in terms of energy affordability, decarbonisation and security of supply, as highlighted in the recent pathways to 2050 report. The nuclear sector is also a major job purveyor, and generates significant economic benefits” noted Emmanuel, adding that lifetime extension of existing nuclear reactors as well as large and small new build will be needed.
Emmanuel concluded his intervention by giving an overview of the current energy policy landscape. He welcomed positive developments such as the technology neutral approach of the Clean Industrial Deal or the creation of the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Emmanuel however stressed that the delay in the impact assessment for the inclusion of nuclear Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the low-carbon hydrogen Delegated Act goes against the principle of technology neutrality, and gives an unfair competitive advantage to hydrogen produced through renewables. He also called for the removal of the nuclear exclusion from some EU funds and financing mechanisms.
Alongside the plenary session, the conference hosted numerous parallel sessions in which nucleareurope participated. Nucleareurope Policy Director Andrei Goicea participated in two of these sessions. The first was a crash course on nuclear in the EU, where he highlighted recent developments in terms of nuclear policy at European level, and detailed evolutions in support for nuclear across European Member States. The second session Andrei intervened in was a panel discussion on the topic of pioneering investment and financial models towards innovation and demonstration. During the discussion, he gave an overview of existing nuclear financing models, and called for nuclear to be included in EU funding and financing mechanisms. Finally, nucleareurope Communications and Advocacy Director Jessica Johnson moderated a session entitled “Addressing social, ethical, and cultural factors towards Sustainable Development Goals”. She discussed social, environmental and cultural considerations linked to nuclear projects, advocating for a comprehensive and inclusive approach.