A push for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) has gained momentum within the European Union, with various countries and industry stakeholders emphasizing their potential contributions to the region's decarbonization efforts. The emergence of a European SMR pre-partnership and the formation of the Nuclear Alliance led by France underscore the growing interest in SMRs as an effective means of addressing energy-intensive industries and regions with limited access to the electricity grid.

In an upcoming meeting in Bratislava, the Nuclear Alliance, with participation from 14 European countries, aims to advocate for the advancement of SMRs. Several European ministers have united in a joint letter urging the European Commission to establish an industrial alliance for SMRs at the EU level, with an emphasis on promoting investment and fostering a European value chain. Suggestions include the implementation of supportive regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and the facilitation of public-private partnerships to stimulate the growth of SMR capabilities.

The European Commission has previously signaled its support for the development of third- and fourth-generation nuclear reactors, including SMRs, aligning with its Net-Zero Industry Act proposal. While several EU member states have expressed interest in SMRs, countries such as Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic are actively defining roadmaps and identifying potential sites for SMR deployment. France, in particular, has outlined ambitious targets for SMR development and plans to allocate substantial public funding to related projects.

The discussion surrounding SMRs is also expected to address workforce planning, with projections indicating the potential creation of 300,000 nuclear jobs across the EU by 2050, a significant portion of which could be concentrated in France. Additionally, the topic of nuclear power development is anticipated to be a point of interest at the upcoming COP28 climate summit in Dubai, underscoring the significance of further discussions and promotional efforts surrounding the role of nuclear energy in the context of global decarbonization initiatives.