European countries are increasingly turning back to nuclear power by extending the lives of existing reactors and planning new projects as they seek to strengthen energy security and reduce carbon emissions, Kpler said in a Thursday note.
The UK is leading one of the region's most ambitious nuclear plans. Alongside extending the operating lives of its aging reactors, the government is moving ahead with new large nuclear plants and developing small modular reactors.
Together, these efforts are intended to help raise the country's nuclear capacity to 24 gigawatts by 2050.
Sweden has also changed course after years of phasing out nuclear power. The government now wants reactors to operate for up to 80 years while preparing for a new generation of plants, although significant new capacity is not expected before the mid-2030s.
Finland is taking a more cautious approach. The country plans to keep its existing 4.4 GW nuclear fleet operating for longer through license extensions rather than building replacement reactors, leaving overall capacity largely unchanged through 2050.
In southern Europe, Spain's plan to shut down all of its nuclear reactors by 2035 is coming under increasing pressure.
A government decision on whether to extend the life of the 2-GW Almaraz nuclear plant is expected to set the direction for the rest of the country's fleet. If approved, additional reactors could remain in operation into the 2040s instead of closing under the current schedule.
Italy, which shut down its last nuclear reactors in 1990, is also moving toward restarting the industry.
The government has begun putting the legal framework in place for new nuclear power and hopes to produce its first electricity from new reactors between 2033 and 2035. However, key decisions on reactor technology, project financing and construction sites have yet to be made, making commercial operation before the late 2030s unlikely.
According to Kpler, the different strategies reflect a broader trend across Europe as governments increasingly view nuclear power as an important part of ensuring reliable electricity supplies while meeting climate goals.