The President of the European Commission has a plan for high energy prices. Behind it, nuclear and renewable energy.
According to the plans outlined by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, nuclear energy and renewable energy are to be the main answers to the price crisis and growing demand for electricity in the coming years. In her view, nuclear energy is a stable and relatively low-emission pillar that can support the system when renewable sources—dependent on weather conditions—provide less power.
Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy as the Foundation of Strategy
In recent months, the topic of skyrocketing electricity prices has dominated political and economic discussions across Europe. EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, are looking for solutions that would help manage the rising costs for households and businesses. With the fluctuations in fossil fuel prices, especially natural gas, and geopolitical tensions—particularly after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine—the pressure to develop a long-term strategy has become even stronger.
According to the published proposals, diversification of energy sources is crucial. Ursula von der Leyen points out that relying solely on fossil fuels—especially gas and coal—is one of the main factors driving up electricity prices across the European Union. Many experts see this diagnosis as confirmation that a transformation toward clean and stable sources, such as nuclear power plants and renewable energy sources (RES), is not just an option but a necessity.
This proposal fits into the growing trend of emphasizing the role of nuclear power plants in EU energy policy. It is argued that nuclear energy remains one of the most reliable solutions for supply stability, which plays a crucial role in the era of record prices and uncertain gas supply chains.
Controversy Around Nuclear Energy
However, there are critical voices regarding the inclusion of nuclear energy as a long-term solution to stabilize prices. In some countries, especially those with past nuclear disasters, such an approach raises concerns about safety and the disposal of radioactive waste.
From Brussels’ perspective, addressing these concerns is possible with proper regulations and safety standards. Furthermore, Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes that each member state has the sovereign right to decide to what extent it will use nuclear energy. What remains crucial is maintaining a common direction for the entire Union: gradually phasing out fossil fuels and investing in alternative low or zero CO₂ emission technologies.
Role of Renewable Energy Sources
The second pillar, alongside nuclear energy, is the acceleration of the development of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power. The prices of solar panel and wind turbine installations are steadily decreasing, while these technologies are becoming more efficient. Ursula von der Leyen’s statements emphasize that renewable sources are a priority for the EU not only for ecological reasons but also for economic ones—renewable energy investments bring tangible financial benefits in the medium and long term.
Von der Leyen notes that it is crucial to make the energy market more flexible so that wind and solar power providers have equal opportunities to compete with coal or gas power plants. These actions are intended to reduce the EU’s dependence on raw material imports, meaning that price fluctuations in global markets will have less impact on end consumers.
A Step Towards the Future
Ursula von der Leyen’s announcements are an important signal for the entire energy sector. For investors and the governments of member states, this means that sooner or later, they will have to find common ground between ensuring affordable prices for citizens and achieving ambitious climate goals.
Although the debate over nuclear energy is still controversial and the development of renewable energy sources requires thoughtful investments in infrastructure and energy storage, the direction is already clearly outlined. Relying solely on fossil fuels carries significant risks—both financial and environmental. According to Ursula von der Leyen, only a well-managed energy transition will allow the EU to manage rising energy bills in the long term and become independent from fluctuating global raw material markets.
The future will decide how EU states adapt to the challenges of high energy prices. However, it is already clear that the push for the intensive development of nuclear energy and RES is gaining more and more importance—both for the stability of supply and for climate protection. In this context, the words of the President of the European Commission can be seen as a clear signal that, in the face of the global energy crisis, the EU intends to focus on solutions that will not only reduce bills but also help build a more sustainable energy future.
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