nucleareurope end of year workshop explores pathways to deliver on nuclear projects in Europe
On 2 December 2025, nucleareurope held its traditional end of year workshop in Brussels, to discuss the role of nuclear in supporting EU energy sovereignty, as well as plans for new build across Europe. The workshop allowed to discuss how to build a conducive regulatory framework to deliver on planned investments.
In his opening remarks, nucleareurope Director General Emmanuel Brutin noted several milestones reached in the past year, including the publication of the Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC), important steps towards technology neutrality in policy files such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the 2040 Climate framework, as well as strong support from consumers of nuclear energy, represented in the European Business Nuclear Alliance.
“Nuclear is essential for decarbonisation, security of supply and energy affordability in Europe. While we are seeing an increasing recognition of its role by EU policymakers, this positive narrative now needs to be translated into concrete actions that support investments” highlighted Emmanuel, before giving the floor to Massimo Garribba, Deputy Director General at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Energy.
In his intervention, Massimo discussed EU policy priorities related to nuclear, such as the phase out of Russian energy imports and the upcoming Electrification Action Plan. He highlighted the role of nuclear in electrification, but also stressed that nuclear finds several applications beyond power generation.
Following his intervention, Massimo joined a panel discussion moderated by nucleareurope Communications and Advocacy Director Jessica Johnson. Panellists included Member of the European Parliament Matej Tonin, ICA Europe Head of EU Regulatory Affairs and Deputy Director General Anna-Maria Karjalainen, ASNR Director-General Olivier Gupta and CEZ Head of Brussels Office Tomáš Pirkl.
The discussion allowed to explore pathways to deliver on nuclear projects through a wide range of perspectives: energy intensive consumers, regulators, policymakers and industrial stakeholders. The panellists’ interventions and interaction with the audience highlighted the importance of technology neutral policies and the need for concrete actions in support of nuclear projects in Europe.
Closing the event, Emmanuel Brutin summed up the key points raised during the discussions, and ENISS celebrated its 20 year anniversary, with interventions from its Chairman David Ogle, and WENRA Vice-Chair Olivier Gupta.