There are 124 nuclear power reactors (January 2020) in operation in the EU. Some reactors are being decommissioned, others are having their working lives extended, and several new units are planned or under construction. In addition to power reactors, a full range of fuel cycle plants (from enrichment to waste storage and recycling) are in operation in Europe. It is the responsibility of each EU Member State to decide on its preferred choice of energy mix. Currently 14 EU Member States out of 28 use nuclear energy for power generation. Nuclear energy currently generates approximately one third of all electricity in the EU.
Nuclear safety is of the utmost importance to the EU and its people. The consequences of a major nuclear accident are also potentially ruinous to national economies. It is therefore essential for European society and the economy to avoid the occurrence of any nuclear accidents in the European Union by ensuring the highest possible quality of regulatory oversight and standards of nuclear safety in each and every EU Member State. The aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear accident of March 2011 has renewed both the political and public concern regarding the measures needed to minimise risk and guarantee the most robust levels of nuclear safety.
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Nuclear regulation in Europe
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Nuclear energy in the EU
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EU countries with nuclear power plant(s) |
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EU countries without a nuclear power plant |
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Non-EU countries |
