Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis signaled a strategic shift during his address at the 2nd Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, an event gathering representatives from 41 nations and international organizations.
“Greece is turning a page. It is time for my country to examine whether nuclear energy—and specifically Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—can play a role in the Greek energy mix,” the Prime Minister stated.
What are the Small Modular Reactors?
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) represent a significant evolution in nuclear power technology. Unlike traditional, large-scale nuclear stations that require decades of on-site construction, SMRs are designed to be smaller in physical footprint—typically generating 300 megawatts of electricity or less—and “modular,” meaning their components are pre-fabricated in factories and shipped to the site for assembly.
This design aims to make them safer, more flexible, and easier to deploy in diverse geographic locations. While the technology is promising, it is not yet extensively used on a commercial global scale.
Although a limited number of operational prototypes exist in countries like Russia and China, much of the global industry remains in the licensing and development phase as nations work to validate the economic viability and safety protocols of these reactors for widespread use.
Exploring nuclear energy and maritime applications
While emphasizing that Greece is not currently committed to building full-scale nuclear power plants, Mitsotakis described the country as “pro-nuclear” and expressed a desire to be an active participant in the broader European dialogue regarding the future of the technology.
To investigate this potential, Mitsotakis announced the formation of a government committee tasked with assessing whether SMR technology can be feasibly integrated into the Greek energy system.
Beyond land-based energy generation, the Prime Minister highlighted the potential for nuclear technology in the shipping industry to help reduce carbon emissions. As a global maritime powerhouse, Greece is uniquely positioned to lead the conversation on the decarbonization of international shipping.
A transition in energy strategy
Reflecting on Greece’s historical energy path, the Prime Minister noted, “Greece is not a nuclear country and has historically not invested in nuclear energy.” The nation relied on lignite in the past and has more recently focused heavily on renewables. Currently, over 50% of Greece’s energy production is derived from solar and wind, a shift that has transformed the nation from a net importer to an exporter of electricity.
However, Mitsotakis argued that Europe will struggle to achieve its goals of strategic autonomy, energy security, and industrial competitiveness without nuclear power. He suggested that Europe’s previous skepticism toward nuclear energy may have been a “strategic error” and welcomed the fact that several nations are now reconsidering their positions.