SMR Alliance Positions Europe for Next Phase of Nuclear Deployment
The European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) sent a clear signal this week: nuclear energy will be central to Europe’s clean energy transition and to the competitiveness of its industries.
In his closing remarks at the group’s second General Assembly, EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen declared that SMRs are essential for climate objectives and that “there is no scenario where we can stay below 1.5 degrees without nuclear..” His statement reflects what many observers see as an evolution in EU policy, positioning nuclear alongside other renewable and clean energy sources to decarbonise industrial sectors such as chemicals and steel production. Officials also announced that a new call for projects to join the alliance is expected soon after the General Assembly, underscoring the Commission’s intent to support innovation in advanced nuclear energy.
Member State voices echoed this sentiment. Some representatives highlighted the role of SMRs in providing clean power and industrial heat, while others described the Alliance as a test case for how emerging nuclear technologies could be integrated into Europe’s energy systems.
Still, strategic differences emerged. Some presenters argued that Europe should prioritise home-grown technologies to safeguard energy independence and strengthen the continent’s supply chain. By contrast, perspectives from other countries urged a pragmatic approach that leaves the door open to trusted international partners in order to accelerate deployment.
Beyond these debates, the Alliance outlined a number of immediate priorities – two of them stand out. First, the Steering Committee will review the current portfolio of nine projects to identify those that comply with Terms of Reference and are making reasonable progress towards deployment. Additionally, the Alliance will identify ‘first movers’ most likely to reach deployment, allowing it to focus Alliance’s limited resources on putting steel in the ground by the early 2030’s. This fast-mover approach will be complemented by a focus on a second wave of projects featuring slower but more disruptive advanced technologies. This two-track strategy is designed to deliver near-term progress, ensure Europe’s participation in the global SMR market, and support long-term innovation with a focus on technologies of EU origin.
Second, the Alliance plans to publish ‘industry position papers’ on regulatory and supply chain harmonisation. The EU’s nuclear market is currently fragmented across more than 20+ national frameworks, which increases costs and slows investment. By collaborating with European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) to align licensing rules, technical standards, and supplier requirements, the Alliance hopes to move toward a more unified market, lowering barriers to investment and enabling a shift from one-off demonstration projects to standardised, factory-built SMRs for European continent.
Taken together, these steps point to a pivotal moment for the SMR industry in Europe. With a healthy project pipeline and possible new funding opportunities on the horizon, the EU has the chance to move from vision to delivery. Success will depend not only on the technologies chosen but also on whether policymakers and industry can build consensus on financing, regulation, and market design. The coming months will test whether the Union can translate political momentum into deployment — and whether it can position itself as a leader in the global SMR race.
