Global powers are gathered in Paris for the Nuclear Energy Summit 2026, with commitments flowing in fast for the technology seen as an essential complement to renewables.
Overnight, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the blocs previous decision to reduce its share of nuclear energy “a strategic mistake” saying the EU “turn[ed] its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emissions power.”
The EU also committed 200 million euros to support investment in small modular reactor developments.
It comes as four additional countries signed on to the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050, with Belgium, Brazil, China and India taking the total coalition of countries committed to this global nuclear industry pledge to 38.
Nuclear for Australia Expert Group representatives and Founder Will Shackel are in Canberra this week meeting with parliamentarians and discussing how the nuclear discussion can be advanced in Australia.
“There has never been a better time for Australia to drop its political ideology and engage in genuine discussions about the potential for nuclear energy in this country.
“More than 116,000 Australians have now signed our petition calling for an end of the bans.
“Globally, 38 countries are working to triple nuclear energy output by 2050. In our region in the last week, we’ve seen India, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea all make renewed commitments to emission-free nuclear energy and technology investment.
“Australia must not let this moment pass us by. We are investing heavily in nuclear expertise to support the AUKUS program, and to ignore the fact nuclear energy could complement our clean energy transition is foolish.
“There are two Bills before the Federal Senate, and one before the NSW Legislative Council, all of which would support lifting the ban on nuclear energy.
“That would allow business, industry and government to have serious conversations about the potential for nuclear energy in Australia.”