Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Poland; and Greece as observer

Ministers and high-level representatives of the Nuclear Alliance met in Luxembourg on 20 October 2025, in the margins of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (Energy) Council. The meeting provided an important opportunity to continue the structured exchange on financing solutions for nuclear projects and to address cross-cutting challenges facing the sector, in support of Europe’s shared objectives of climate neutrality, competitiveness, and security of supply.

The Ministers and high-level representatives debated the recent developments in the EU energy landscape, including the revised Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC), the second General Assembly of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, the progress on the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on Innovative Nuclear technologies, the first stakeholder forum of the European Radioisotope Valley Initiative (ERVI), and the presentation of the European Commission’s legal proposals for the new Multiannual Financial Framework, including those concerning Euratom. Regarding the proposed revised PINC, they acknowledged the significant paradigm shift represented by the text that finally recognizes fully nuclear’s role in supplying low-carbon baseload electricity and enhancing system integration. Furthermore, as the draft PINC outlined clear needs and opportunities for nuclear industry in the EU, the European Commission is invited, based on the findings, to identify concrete actions and next steps for nuclear energy development within the next EU Commission proposals  in order to support nuclear energy. They also welcomed the forthcoming European Commission initiatives such as the SMR Strategy and the Clean Energy Investment Strategy, both of which are expected to provide an ambitious strategy as well as clarity and predictability for the nuclear sector.

The meeting was chaired by the Romanian State Secretary, Mr. Cristian-Silviu Bușoi, and benefited from the participation of  Ms. Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director General of DG ENER, European Commission.  During the meeting, the Estonian Minister of Energy and the Environment, Mr Andres Sutt, conveyed Estonia’s decision to join the Nuclear Alliance as a full member. Greece joined the meeting as observer for the first time.

Investment and financing for nuclear

The European Commission provided several responses to the requests made in the letter from the nuclear alliance last June regarding financing solutions for nuclear projects, outlining the positive ongoing cooperation with the Nuclear Alliance on the common objective of strengthening EU’s leadership in clean, affordable and secure energy.

In return, Ministers and high-level representatives emphasized that securing financing remains a key priority for nuclear projects. They called for concrete action to improve access to relevant EU and private financing instruments for nuclear projects, without prejudice to the ongoing MFF discussions. They also underlined the European Commission’s role to contribute, where possible, to the acceleration of nuclear state aid notification procedures.

In particular, ministers and high-level representatives highlighted the need for better coordination between different EU instruments and for greater involvement of the European Investment Bank in support of nuclear projects, among other elements which also found common ground with the European Commission.  In addition, ministers and high-level representatives reiterated the recommendation put forward by the Financing group regarding the call on the European Commission for the revision of the EU Taxonomy Complementary Delegated Act (CDA), with the ultimate aim to mobilise private capital towards sustainable nuclear activities, by considering nuclear energy as a fully sustainable activity, by aligning the technical criteria with the reality and actual project implementation plans in  the field, as well as by including nuclear fuel cycle activities, up- and downstream, to the scope of the CDA.

Technology neutrality

The discussion also focused on ensuring that forthcoming EU initiatives respect the principle of technology neutrality. Participants stressed that nuclear energy, alongside renewables and other low-carbon solutions, including renewable and low-carbon fuels, is indispensable for achieving the EU’s climate neutrality objectives. They noted the global interest and support for civil nuclear development as an incentive to mobilize EU efforts in the nuclear sector, in keeping the general positive momentum for nuclear power development.

They welcomed the European Commission’s commitment to technology neutrality to facilitate civil nuclear investments and called for this to be clearly reflected in the upcoming files. Beyond policy frameworks, ministers also exchanged views on structural challenges facing the sector, such as supply-chain and nuclear fuel cycle consolidation, and the urgent need to develop skills and training to support a new generation of nuclear workers in the EU.