ENS Outlines Strategic Value of Nuclear Power in Response to EC Public Consultation on French State Aid

The European Nuclear Society (ENS) submitted its comment to the Public Consultation opened by the European Commission concerning State aid SA.119469, related to the construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors in France. 

Furthermore, ENS disseminated the consultation, encouraging its Member Societies and Corporate Members to submit their opinions by the 7th June.

Countries are requesting the EU to implement state aid for newbuilds, with the recent successful decision coming for Polish NPP, and we hear in Brussels that it is of prime importance that opinions are submitted Europe-wide, so our network has a role to play. 

ENS, together with SFEN (ENS Member Society), wanted to highlight several relevant points:

• Nuclear power is at the centre of the European electricity system, providing almost 25% of EU electricity generation in 2024, making it the largest clean electricity source in Europe, with growing public support and recognition of its strategic value by the European Commission and the Draghi Report.

• Future EU decarbonization scenarios require significant nuclear deployment, including both large reactors and SMRs/AMRs, with the European Commission’s 2025 PINC projecting substantial nuclear capacity growth by 2050.

• Higher nuclear capacity reduces overall electricity system costs, lowering fossil fuel dependence and the need for renewable backup investments.

• French nuclear supports the European market in general, with enhanced security of supply across neighbouring countries, supply chain and job market activisation, lower CO₂ emissions, and a critical role during weather events in Europe (for your information, see the report of Aurora Energy)

• Nuclear generation strengthens grid resilience and blackout recovery, as demonstrated during the 2025 Spanish blackout, where French nuclear power helped stabilise the system and support the restoration of the electricity supply.The

• French financing scheme for new nuclear projects is consistent with previous European Commission decisions, relying on a combination of Contracts for Difference (CfDs), state-backed financing, and risk-sharing mechanisms to reduce financing costs and make nuclear investments viable.

 

Read the ENS comment submitted to the European Commission below.

The European Nuclear Society (ENS), a Learned Society consisting of more than 12 000 professionals in the nuclear sector in 22 countries, would like to respond to the public consultation concerning State aid SA.119469, relating to the construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors in France. 

ENS welcomes the proposed French financing framework for new nuclear reactors, which is consistent with previous European Commission decisions and appropriately combines Contracts for Difference (CfDs), state-backed financing, and risk-sharing mechanisms to reduce financing costs for capital-intensive low-carbon investments.

Nuclear energy provides close to quarter of EU electricity generation, making it the largest source of clean electricity in Europe and a key contributor to the Union’s climate, energy security and industrial competitiveness objectives. ENS highlighted the essential role that nuclear energy plays in decarbonization in its High Scientific Council Position Paper “The important role of nuclear in a low-carbon world” (10/2019).

The European Commission’s 2025 Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC) projects significant growth in nuclear capacity by 2050, including Long-Term Operation of existing fleet and essentially building both large reactors and advanced technologies such as SMRs and AMRs, reflecting the role of nuclear energy in ensuring energy security of the continent.

Recent analysis by SFEN and Aurora Energy Research demonstrates that the French nuclear fleet provides substantial benefits across integrated European electricity markets, including enhanced security of supply, lower CO₂ emissions, and increased resilience of interconnected power systems.

These benefits extend beyond France and are particularly important during periods of adverse weather conditions and market stress, when reliable low-carbon generation contributes to the stability of neighbouring electricity systems. Beyond that, nuclear is a highly international sector supporting for industrial value chains across all Europe.

Following, electricity systems with higher shares of nuclear generation achieve lower overall system costs by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and limiting the need for additional system extensions and backup investments associated with variable generation sources.

Nuclear generation also strengthens grid resilience and system restoration capabilities, as illustrated during the 2025 Iberian blackout, when electricity exports from France supported wider system stabilisation and recovery efforts.

The financing package under assessment addresses well-recognised challenges associated with new nuclear investment, including high upfront capital requirements, long investment horizons and exposure to regulatory and market risks, all of which have been identified by the Commission in previous nuclear State aid decisions.

To summarise, ENS considers that the proposed support measures are proportionate to the objectives pursued, as they contribute to the development of an economic activity that is essential for achieving European decarbonisation, energy security and competitiveness objectives.

 

Brussels, 7 June 2026