European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has thrown her support behind French President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious nuclear energy revival - even as France's aging reactor fleet struggles with reliability issues that undermine the entire premise, Die Zeit reports.
The endorsement marks a significant shift in EU energy policy and deepens the Franco-German divide over Europe's path to decarbonization. While Macron champions a "nuclear renaissance," Germany has shut down its last reactors and committed to renewables. Von der Leyen just picked a side.
The Irony of French Nuclear
Here's what makes von der Leyen's timing awkward: France's nuclear sector is in crisis. The country's fleet of 56 reactors - which once made it Europe's largest electricity exporter - has been plagued by unexpected shutdowns, maintenance delays, and safety concerns.
EDF, the state-owned utility, has struggled to bring new reactors online on time or on budget. The Flamanville 3 reactor, originally scheduled for 2012, is now expected in 2024 at four times the initial cost. That's the kind of track record that makes German renewable advocates say "told you so."
Macron's Nuclear Vision
Despite these setbacks, Macron has doubled down on nuclear as the answer to Europe's energy independence and climate goals. He's pledged to build six new reactors by 2050, with options for eight more, and positioned France as the champion of atomic energy within the EU.
Von der Leyen's endorsement gives that vision Brussels backing - and will likely accelerate efforts to classify nuclear as "green" energy under EU taxonomy rules, a move that has sparked fierce debate among member states.
