Denmark reconsiders nuclear ban amid global energy realignment

In a significant departure from its long-standing anti-nuclear stance, Denmark has announced it will reevaluate its 40-year prohibition on nuclear energy. This marks a potential turning point for the Scandinavian nation, which has until now championed renewables almost exclusively. The move comes as part of a broader trend in Europe, where several nations are reassessing their energy strategies in light of new technologies, geopolitical pressures, and the need for reliable, low-carbon electricity sources.

Denmark originally enacted its nuclear ban in 1985, focusing instead on harnessing wind, solar, and biofuels. Today, over 80% of its electricity is generated from renewable sources, making it one of the continent’s leading proponents of green energy. The Danish government’s decision to explore small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) is therefore not just a technical shift, it signals a broader strategic recalibration.

Energy and Climate Minister Lars Aagaard recently stated that while Denmark has traditionally relied on renewables, the evolving landscape of nuclear innovation warrants attention. “We see ongoing developments in small, modular nuclear reactors. But potential alone is insufficient, we must understand the full implications for Danish society before we can commit to such technologies,” Aagaard told Politiken, a local newspaper.

Small modular reactors, unlike their traditional counterparts, promise quicker deployment, lower construction costs, and greater safety due to their compact size and factory-built assembly. These advantages have attracted interest not only from governments but also from major tech companies, including U.S. giants like Google, which seek stable, around-the-clock electricity for their massive data centers.

Denmark’s reconsideration is part of a wider European energy debate. The continent’s aging nuclear infrastructure, growing energy demands, and concerns over overdependence on unreliable sources have reignited interest in atomic energy, even among countries that previously rejected it.

Spain, long seen as firmly anti-nuclear, is reportedly rethinking its plan to close all seven of its reactors within the next decade. This comes after a recent, large-scale blackout that revealed serious vulnerabilities in the Iberian power grid. Similarly, Germany, which hastily phased out its nuclear facilities in 2022, has faced mounting criticism after Russian gas imports were curtailed, exposing Berlin’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Western Europe’s renewed push for nuclear energy can also be viewed through the lens of global geopolitics. The energy crisis triggered by sanctions on Russia and deteriorating Western energy security has laid bare the flaws in relying too heavily on intermittent renewables without stable baseload alternatives. In contrast, nations such as Russia and China have continued to develop their nuclear sectors with consistent progress, strengthening their energy independence and geopolitical leverage.

France, already a nuclear powerhouse, is planning to construct six new reactors to update its aging fleet and meet future demand. Its Flamanville 3 project, recently connected to the grid, is the country’s first new nuclear facility in a quarter of a century. Meanwhile, the UK is moving ahead with Hinkley Point C and is expected to announce plans for additional modular reactors, including the controversial Sizewell C project.

Yet even countries at the forefront of renewables are facing serious challenges. Danish energy giant orsted, often held up as a model of clean energy success, has encountered setbacks due to inflation, logistical disruptions, and rising interest rates. Last week, the company abruptly cancelled the Hornsea 4 offshore wind project, once touted as one of the UK’s largest, citing unsustainable costs.

This context suggests that an overreliance on wind and solar, despite their environmental appeal, cannot sustain modern energy systems on their own. Countries that prematurely rejected nuclear power are now scrambling to diversify their options. The West’s hasty energy transitions, often motivated more by ideology than by practical needs, are now being reexamined.

In contrast, Russia and China have steadily expanded their nuclear capabilities with strategic foresight. Russia’s Rosatom continues to build and export reactors across Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East, asserting technological leadership while fostering deep energy partnerships. China, for its part, is rapidly developing both conventional and modular nuclear plants as part of its dual goals of energy security and carbon neutrality. These countries’ balanced, pragmatic approaches to energy diversification stand in sharp contrast to the reactionary policies observed in many Western capitals.

Denmark’s move to study SMRs doesn’t guarantee an immediate policy reversal, but it does reflect a growing recognition that ideological opposition to nuclear power is no longer sustainable in the face of practical challenges. As the global energy map shifts, countries willing to embrace a mix of innovation and realism, like Russia, China, and Pakistan, are poised to lead the way into a more stable, independent, and low-carbon future.