EC: 8^th Nuclear Illustrative Programme, SMR Strategy and first-ever Fusion Strategy all planned for 2026

Nuclear energy: what is planned at the EU level?

• On investment needs

• The Commission's eighth Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC) sets out long-term nuclear investment needs, estimating that around €241 Bn in investment will be necessary to deliver Member States' plans in nuclear energy up to 2050.

• This includes existing reactors' life extensions, construction of new large-scale reactors, investments in modular reactors (small, advanced and micro reactors) and in fusion for the long-term.

• Nuclear installed capacity across the EU is projected to grow from 98 GWe in 2025 to around 109 GWe by 2050.

• The final publication of the PINC, including the EESC opinion, which was initially planned for the end of 2025, is now set for the beginning of 2026.

• EESC has highlighted the need for concrete regulatory and financial enablers to unlock investments in nuclear energy, including alignment with renewable energy financing conditions.

To truly deliver the clean energy transition, we need all zero- and low-carbon energy solutions. Nuclear energy has a role to play in building a resilient and cleaner energy system. Ensuring the necessary framework conditions will allow the EU to keep its industrial leadership in this sector while also upholding the highest safety standards and responsible management of radioactive waste. Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing on 13/06/2025

On the technology development and deployment

• The Commission launched a call for evidence with stakeholders to create a Small Modular Reactor Strategy, which ended on 04/12/2025. The strategy should be published in the second week of March 2026, declares the Commission to News Tanks on 06/02/2026. It aims to accelerate SMR deployment across the EU through targeted enabling actions for design, safety approval, licensing and market readiness.

• The EESC calls for regulatory and financing support to accelerate investment through targeted measures, like a streamlined state aid process, access to EU cohesion funds, sustainable financing, more efficient authorisation procedures and faster decisions at the European and national levels.

• Fusion is currently viewed as a long-term energy source in the PINC. Although R&D goes on through the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) programme, it is not in the commercial power plant phase at this stage.

• The EU's first-ever Fusion Strategy is planned for early 2026. It intends to guide research, innovation and industrial deployment through a commercialisation roadmap based on private-public R&D, regulatory framework and the promotion and development of industrial supply chains with a skilled workforce.

• The EESC highlights that nuclear energy can play an important role in supporting the EU's overall industrial transition, as it strengthens resilience to supply disruptions, provides a complementary source of energy to renewables and reduces dependence on imported fuels. It also highlights that the European nuclear industry employs over 1.1 million people.

The EESC regrets that the PINC does not propose any specific catalysts or a genuine action plan for the planned investments and urges the Commission to include regulatory and financial measures to enable investment in the sector, promote the development of innovative fuel cycle facilities and provide concrete figures on the investments needed in the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as promote transparent dialogue with civil society. The EESC recommends that investments in nuclear energy should benefit from the same favourable conditions as renewable energies. Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, published on 11/12/2025