Small modular reactors

Background

When it comes to energy, the European Commission is technology-neutral and the EU Member States can choose their own energy mix. However, to achieve the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal, the Commission recognises the potential contribution of several emerging low-carbon technologies such as the small modular reactors (SMRs).

SMRs are small nuclear reactors that can vary in size from around 20 megawatts electric (MWe) to 300 MWe and can produce up to 7.2 million kWh per day. They can use a range of possible coolants, including light water, liquid metal or molten salt, depending on the technology. 

SMR is the generic term for these types of reactors, while those using non-light water technology are often called advanced modular reactors (AMRs). They both use nuclear fission reactions to generate heat that can be used directly or to produce electricity. SMRs and AMRs offer a number of advantages, including simpler design, better safety features, cost-effectiveness of factory production, and lower construction and operational costs.

To accelerate the development and deployment of SMRs and AMRs in the EU over the next decade, in March 2026 the European Commission adopted the Strategy for the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe. With this initiative, the EU aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050, phase out energy imports from Russia and improve the competitiveness of its economy.

Key points

The EESC:

• recognises the value of a strategy for the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe;
• believes that the European strategy for SMRs should be based on standardisation requirements by product family, provided that the highest safety standards are upheld;
• notes that decisions regarding reactor technologies should be accompanied by a corresponding assessment of fuel supply, fabrication, transport, storage, recycling and waste-management requirements;
• emphasises that the strategy for these SMR value chains should prioritise the promotion of the jobs that are required, including reskilling workers;
• stresses that Member States must converge toward a very limited range of SMR solutions, provided that technological diversity is preserved where necessary to reduce systemic risk and avoid lock-in, likely no more than four or five in total;
• calls for immediately initiating a financing roadmap with a fair share of the risk uptake and burden between private investors and the public sector, including strict cost-control mechanisms, transparency and risk-sharing with private investors;

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/884

Opinion type: Optional

Referral: COM(2026) 117 final

Rapporteur: Christophe Béguinet (Group II - France)

Co-rapporteur: Domantas Tracevičius (Group III - Lithuania)

Date of adoption by section: 24 June 2026

Result of the vote: 73 in favour, 1 against, 2 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 15-16 July 2026

Result of the vote: 222 in favour, 6 against, 3 abstentions

Contact

Marco Pezzani

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu 

Albert Precup

Administrator

Tel.: +32 546 9326

E-mail: albert.precup@eesc.europa.eu