Anti-nuclear protesters take part in demonstrations ahead of a vote at the European Parliament on a motion to block the European Commission's plans to grant a green label to gas and nuclear investments, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on July 6, 2022.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Anti-nuclear protesters at the European Parliament in July

There are urgent decisions to be made about the future of nuclear energy.

Russian supplies of natural gas have been disrupted due to the war in Ukranian.

Some countries are still feeling the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Half of France's nuclear power plants are offline.

Pandemic-linked staffing issues are one of the main reasons for delayed maintenance.

The energy price crisis is likely to last until at least 2024, according to Mr. Nguyen.

Nuclear Reactors are seen as a way to decouple from Russian natural gas.

Russia dominates the supply of nuclear fuel, the enrichment of uranium, and the construction of nuclear power plants in other countries.

The Leibstadt nuclear power plant, SwitzerlandImage source, Christine Ro
Image caption, Half of the uranium used in this Swiss reactor comes from Russia

Half of the uranium supply at Leibstadt is from Russia. Outside of the Russian sphere of influence, there's a scramble to source more nuclear fuel.

Concerns about the weaponisation of nuclear science are being raised as a result of the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility.

Europe's aging nuclear fleet is not adapted to deal with modern terrorist attacks and cyberattacks according to the head of the nuclear energy section at theSES. "You have to think of those very unlikely possibilities when you plan risky infrastructure," Mr Lscher says.

Nuclear waste is a problem.

Angélique Huguin is part of a group of people who have taken up residence near a nuclear research laboratory in northeastern France.

Stone houses with bright blue shutters are where the activists share a home.

The House of Resistance in Bure, FranceImage source, Christine Ro
Image caption, Anti-nuclear activists have taken up residence near Cigéo nuclear research laboratory, in northeastern France

It's irresponsible to leave the problem of nuclear waste for the future. The nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima are proof that you have to stop supporting nuclear power, according to her.

Austria and Luxembourg are not in favor of nuclear power. Belgium and Switzerland are more open minded.

Energy supply is often transacted between the countries. Nuclear accidents can happen across borders.

Germany is important here. It had planned to decommission all of its nuclear power plants by the end of 2022. There's uncertainty in the air.

People who support the transition away from nuclear argue that it is an opportunity to ramp up wind and solar energy which is cheaper and less risky than nuclear.

Some people think that some share of nuclear energy is needed for a stable power supply.

Green hydrogen is being bet on to shore up Germany's energy system. He believes that hydrogen should be seen as a technology.

Phuc Vinh Nguyen researches European energy policy at the Jacques Delors Energy CenterImage source, Jacques Delors Institute
Image caption, Hydrogen is a "champagne" technology, says researcher Phuc Vinh Nguyen

Politically driven misinformation has clouded the debate. Energy discussions are linked to political affiliations and cultural attachment.

Given the seriousness of the climate and energy crises, there isn't much time to waste. Ordinary Europeans can't afford to wait decades for green hydrogen to mature, for a new nuclear plant to begin operating, or for a small modular reactor to be viable.

Tough choices need to be made. Mr Lscher said that uncertainty about the phasing out of nuclear in Switzerland is limiting investment in renewable energy there.

Nuclear power plants in Europe are the most expensive way to build electricity.

Nuclear plants are expensive to build and decommission. There is a cost to manage the waste.

France is going to reduce energy use by 10% over the next two years.

France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris on October 12, 2022.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, France has to use less energy, says Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne

The French Prime Minister called for a broader transformation in a speech.

Reducing energy consumption is part of the long term. The transition is related to the ecology. The sovereignty of our country is on the line. She said it was about buying power.

Those struggling with energy bills may not be comforted by this. Energy use is expected to peak during the winter season.

Government should encourage homeowners to install more insulation and manage their energy-hungry devices, according to campaigners.

This is a landmark moment that will shape future energy infrastructure, as well as change the way people think. Ssufficiency measures can be part of the solution.

  • Radioactive waste
  • Nuclear power