Expert workshop #2
Upon invitation – under Chatham House rules
In light of a renewed policy debate around nuclear energy in the EU political cycle, CEPS is conducting an evidence-based assessment of the role of nuclear power in Europe’s energy and industrial strategies. The project seeks to foster a balanced and informed debate on the opportunities of nuclear energy and associated technological, economic and political challenges. It will examine the current state of play and the potential for scaling up nuclear deployment, both large-scale and small modular reactors (SMRs).
This workshop – the second in a series of CEPS events on this topic[1] – will bring together a select group of experts and stakeholders to gather input on the current state of the (European) SMRs in terms of technology, economics and the policy/regulatory environment.
Discussions will be organised around three core themes:
- The status of SMRs: technological maturity, realistic timelines for development and FOAK deployment, licensing options, the state of EU innovation ecosystems, R&D&I funding and supply chain development.
- Economics & financing: SMR cost structures, including comparisons with other generation technologies, i.a. GW-scale reactors; economies of scale and modular deployment; the suitability of existing financing schemes, and prospects for greater private financing involvement.
- Deployment strategies: pathways for early deployment and industry appetite; the role of SMRs in electricity, heat and e-fuel and hydrogen production and potential grid stability provision; competitiveness and scalability, including multi-SMR plants; and regulatory and investment considerations.
[1] The first workshop ‘Nuclear energy: system value and economic viability in a decarbonised energy system’ took place on 26 November 2025 and discussed the role of nuclear energy in the low-carbon energy system and the economics of nuclear and the enabling policy and regulatory environment for its development.
