Nuclear energy: The driver of industrial resilience and strategic sovereignty of Central and Eastern Europe.

We are translating the text that Malvina Kvist and Alan Ash wrote for Clean Air Task Force

EU at an energy crossroads

The EU is at an energy crossroads. In the past few years, one thing has been clearly shown: energy security is an important element of overall security. The industrial and geopolitical stability of the European Union has long been exposed to external shocks and dependencies. Today, as the bloc seeks to rebuild its industrial base and confirm strategic sovereignty, nuclear energy has re-emerged as a promising cornerstone of a resilient and clean energy future.

This topic was at the heart of the Executive Dialogue on the topic “Nuclear Energy: A Driver of Industrial Resilience and Strategic Sovereignty of Central and Eastern Europe,” held during the Warsaw Security Forum, hosted by Clean Air Task Force and Third Way. The session brought together high-level decision-makers, industry leaders and experts—including Sebastian Burduja, Michael Goff, Alan Ahn and the authors themselves—for an open discussion on how to translate political will into coordinated action.

Strategic Imperative

Participants agreed that the energy debate in Europe is no longer a matter of preference, but a question of the ability to sustain a successful economy. The high social, political, and economic costs of renouncing nuclear energy, observed over the past decades, are now evident. Recognizing this, the EU must treat nuclear energy as a strategic technology and develop a cohesive, unified framework for its deployment. Strategic alignment in this regard is essential.

Four priorities for cooperation

The discussion identified four areas where cooperation can turn ambition into results:

1. Financing innovation: Europe needs new financial tools to bring nuclear projects to market quickly and affordably. As a promising mechanism, the order book model was highlighted—pooling demand to achieve economies of scale. Government support remains essential for large projects, but EU approval must be faster, more predictable and provide legal certainty. Above all, nuclear energy must be recognized as a clean baseload investment, critical for energy security.
2. Regulatory alignment: Licensing and approval timelines must be streamlined. Regulatory cooperation between the EU, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and other partners will be key to sharing expertise and enabling cross-border deployment of advanced reactors. Alignment can reduce costs, avoid duplication, and prevent delays.
3. Resilience of the supply chain: Europe must restore its nuclear supply chain to reduce dependence on single unreliable suppliers. Central and Eastern European countries are uniquely positioned to become regional hubs—producing components, building localized value chains, and supporting qualified jobs. Greater integration into national supply chains could also unlock new financing from export credit agencies, especially if partners coordinate standards and risk criteria. Uranium should also be recognized as a critical mineral.
4. Workforce and education: No technology succeeds without people. Europe needs a new generation of nuclear engineers, operators, and innovators. Investment in education, vocational training, and career mobility will be the foundation of any lasting nuclear revival.

Regional leadership and security

The Central and Eastern European countries are already showing leadership and enthusiasm for nuclear energy. The projects they have underway in this area are not only energy initiatives — they are strategic security assets. Strengthening interregional cooperation could be key to strengthening the EU's strategic autonomy.

Way Forward

The Warsaw Dialogue has clearly shown one thing: Europe is at a decisive moment. The foundations for a clean, sovereign, and secure energy system are within reach—but only if we proceed with coordination, investment, and regulatory pragmatism. The regional momentum must now be translated into tangible progress.

The text was written by Malwina Qvist and Alan Ahn and you can read it on Clean Air Task Force.