The EU is refocusing on nuclear energy, investing €330 million in fusion energy development.

Nuclear energy has regained a prominent position on the European agenda, with the EU committing €330 million to the advancement of fusion energy and nuclear technologies. This announcement was made by the European Commission on March 19, and the funding will be facilitated through the Euratom research and training programme, which complements the Horizon Europe funding initiative.

The Euratom Work Programme is an EU initiative aimed at nuclear research and training, emphasizing advancements in fusion energy, nuclear safety, radiation protection, and waste management. This five-year plan seeks to bolster Europe's energy independence, competitiveness, and technological leadership while also contributing to the goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

However, energy generation through fusion presents significant challenges and is still in the preliminary stages. The ultimate objective is to connect the first commercial fusion power plant to the electricity grid, providing clean, safe, and affordable energy. The work programme for 2026–2027 allocates €222 million to expedite the transition of fusion technologies from laboratories to the power grid. This includes the establishment of a new European public-private partnership aimed at fostering commercially viable fusion technologies and enhancing the European supply chain. Additionally, start-ups in this field will receive support from the European Innovation Council to facilitate their growth and draw in private investment.

In addition to fusion, the programme emphasizes innovation, safety, and talent development in nuclear fission, with a total investment of €108 million. Efforts will concentrate on the safe disposal of radioactive waste, radiation protection, materials innovation, and ensuring the long-term operational safety of current power stations, small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors, and nuclear fuels. Another strategic focus area is nuclear medicine, where the programme will finance projects to enhance Europe's self-sufficiency in producing isotopes necessary for new therapies.

Lastly, Euratom seeks to draw new talent to the nuclear sector, both from within and outside the EU, including through Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships, as well as to improve access to over 230 research infrastructures throughout Europe. Plans also include better integration of Ukrainian researchers into the European Research Area. European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, highlighted that “developing nuclear technologies will be crucial to ensuring our energy independence,” making it vital to “accelerate fusion energy, with the ambition of being the first to bring fusion from the laboratory to the grid.”