EU chief: Phasing out nuclear power was 'strategic mistake' Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, has labeled the EU's shift away from nuclear energy as a "strategic mistake," emphasizing its role in the bloc's energy vulnerabilities. Speaking at a nuclear energy summit near Paris, von der Leyen highlighted Europe's growing reliance on expensive and volatile fossil fuel imports, which she argued has placed the region at a structural disadvantage. She pointed to the ongoing Iran war as a stark example of how fossil fuel dependence can expose nations to geopolitical risks, citing the damage to oil refineries and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route. Von der Leyen called for a renewed focus on nuclear power as a reliable, low-emissions energy source, stating that the EU's decision to reduce its nuclear capacity was a misstep. She announced plans to establish a €200 million fund to advance nuclear innovation and push for the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) across the EU by 2030. These reactors, which produce around 300 megawatts of power compared to traditional reactors' 1,000 megawatts, are described as more affordable and quicker to build due to their potential for mass production in factories. The summit also featured calls for energy independence from French President Emmanuel Macron, who argued that nuclear power is essential for achieving both energy sovereignty and carbon neutrality. Macron noted that reliance on fossil fuels makes nations vulnerable to geopolitical pressures, as seen in Europe's dependence on uranium imports. France, which generates over two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear power, sources much of its natural uranium from politically unstable regions like Niger, Kazakhstan, and Russia.#iran_war #strait_of_hormuz #european_commission #ursula_von_der_leyen #euratom
