Hefty upfront costs, issues disposing of radiation and waste, and memories of terrible accidents have all contributed to Europe’s reluctance to embrace nuclear energy in recent decades.
But the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Iran war has exposed the continent’s vulnerability to disrupted energy imports – and nuclear may offer Europe a lifeline.
IEA chief Fatih Birol previously told CNBC that nuclear power would get a “boost” from the supply crisis and urged governments to bolster their resilience with alternative energy sources.
Nuclear energy produces significantly fewer emissions than fossil fuels, plants take up minimal space on the landscape, and reactors are extremely reliable in all weather conditions.
“I think nuclear has to play a big role in solving this problem for Europe,” Chris Seiple, vice chairman of Wood Mackenzie’s power and renewables division, told CNBC.
