Programme Nuclear Waste Management, Safety and Radiation Research (NUSAFE)

Nuclear energy is a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels and accounts for almost 26% of the electricity produced in the EU. However, in the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the 2011 catastrophe in Fukushima, nuclear energy has become highly controversial. While Member States choose whether to include nuclear power in their energy mix, EU legislation aims at improving the safety standards of nuclear power stations and ensuring that nuclear waste is safely handled and disposed of. (Fact Sheets on the European Union, 2025/03/06)