Small modular reactors

Practical information

• Composition of the Study Group
• Albert PRECUP (administrator), Daniel MAKAY (assistant)
• TEN Section meeting: 24 June 2026
• EESC Plenary session: 15-16 July 2026
• Contact

Background

Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, has been mandated with supporting Small Modular Reactors (SMR) development upon taking office. The strategy intends to accelerate the development and deployment of SMRs in Europe over the next decade.

The context of the initiative is threefold: the EU ambition to become carbon-neutral by 2050; EU work to phase out energy imports from Russia, and to improve the competitiveness of the EU economy.

SMRs and advanced modular reactors (AMRs) could offer several advantages, including simpler design, better safety features, cost-effectiveness of factory production and they can reduce construction and operational costs. This has been recognised previously, notably in the Commission’s 2040 Climate Target Communication which emphasised that all zero- and low-carbon energy solutions, including nuclear, are needed to decarbonise the EU’s energy system. These energy solutions can make the EU more competitiveness and strengthen resilience and security of supply.