Fuelling the future of the EU
The European Union is at a decisive moment in its economic and technological transformation
Corina Cristea, 20.03.2026, 13:40
In a world where energy security, climate change and global competition are becoming ever more intense, the European Union is at a decisive moment in its economic and technological transformation, as the way it produces and spends its energy defines not only its economy but also its geostrategic role.
In recent years, the Union has embraced an ambitious strategy: to become climate neutral by 2050. Achieving this goal requires a deep change in the energy system, which should combine clean, safe and accessible sources.
Two major directions shape this transformation: renewable energy and nuclear energy. As a result, investments in solar and wind energy, which have the advantage of being inexhaustible and do not emit greenhouse gas, have skyrocketed. But these sources also come with significant challenges, such as intermittency and dependence on weather conditions. To manage these limitations, Brussels is investing heavily in infrastructure, namely smart grids, energy storage and interconnections between member states.
Meanwhile, nuclear energy returns to the centre of the European debate; although controversial, it provides a crucial advantage: constant energy production without carbon emissions.
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “Over the last decade, we have made great progress on renewables. Solar PV and wind have overtaken fossil fuels in the EU’s power mix. And our European wind turbine manufacturers are global powerhouses. They are exporting high-tech made in Europe to the world. The nuclear story, unfortunately, is different. While in 1990 one-third of Europe’s electricity came from nuclear, today it is only close to 15%. This reduction in the share of nuclear was a choice, I believe that it was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emissions power. This should change, for two reasons. First, because nuclear and renewables have a key role to play. This is not an either-or – it is in combination that they are most powerful. Because what we need is the best overall energy system – clean, affordable, resilient, European. Renewables produce the lowest-cost electrons – but they are volatile, depending on sunshine and wind, and sometimes the best sites are far from industrial demand centres. That is why we need to also invest in storage and in demand flexibility and build out our grids.”
The second reason, Ursula von der Leyen points out, is that Europe was a pioneer in nuclear technology and could once again be a world leader in this field. New nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), promise lower costs and increased safety. They can be more easily integrated into existing networks and can complement renewable sources, offering a balance between sustainability and reliability.
The energy revolution is not only about how the way energy is produced, but also about how it is used, with robotics and artificial intelligence as the drivers of the next wave of innovation.
Industrial automation, based on advanced robots, is already transforming European factories. Processes are becoming faster, more precise and more efficient. At the same time, artificial intelligence optimises supply chains, reducing waste and enabling large-scale customised production. All these technologies have one common denominator: intensive electricity use.
Ursula von der Leyen: “Europe’s electricity prices are structurally too high. This matters, enormously. Because affordable electricity is not only important for our citizens’ cost of living, but it is also decisive for our industrial competitiveness. The industries of the future will be built on affordable electricity. Robotics and AI will drive the next wave of innovation and productivity, across all industrial sectors. And both require affordable electricity in abundance. That is why industrial competitiveness will increasingly be determined by whom best can produce, transport, store, and use abundant and affordable electricity. But Europe is neither an oil nor a gas producer. For fossil fuels we are completely dependent on expensive and volatile imports, putting us at a structural disadvantage to other regions. The current Middle East crisis gives a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities this creates.”
But, the European Commission chief argues, “we have home-grown low-carbon energy sources: nuclear and renewables. Together, they can become the joint guarantors of independence, security of supply, and competitiveness.” (Corina Cristea)
