The debate over nuclear energy is making a strong comeback on the European and international energy scene. The (re)emergence of nuclear technology as an energy option is due to a confluence of factors related to both climate and technological developments.
- First, global warming and the pressure to decarbonize reinforce the need for available, stable, and uninterrupted low-emission sources.
- Second, the explosive growth in “point” energy demands, such as those generated by large data centers, requires energy sources with high spatial density and reliability.
- Third, the European Commission has now recognized nuclear energy as “green” within the framework of the sustainable investment taxonomy, boosting investment interest.
The geopolitical dimension is equally significant, and the war in Iran is the most recent episode. Countries in the broader Eastern Mediterranean region are already moving rapidly toward integrating nuclear energy into their energy mix: Turkey, with the Akkuyu project, already nearing completion, and plans for a second plant on the Black Sea; Egypt, Bulgaria, and Italy have signed and are implementing similar agreements.
In this context, Greece is called upon to take a realistic stance, assessing how and under what conditions it could capitalize on the benefits of this technological and energy transition.
The position
The aim is not to dictate a pro- or anti-nuclear energy choice. The basic premise is that nuclear energy, as a high-tech field, can offer Greece an opportunity to activate its national potential and strengthen its role in the European and international network of scientific and industrial production.
Technological System
Nuclear technology is a prime example of a “mega-technological” system—that is, a technology with strong interconnections between science, industry, government policies, and global value chains.
For example, the production and operation of nuclear facilities require access to cutting-edge scientific and technological knowledge, participation in complex networks of suppliers and specialized technicians, as well as a culture of safety and regulatory compliance with very high standards.
For countries like Greece, with limited (if not minimal) experience in developing nuclear infrastructure, choosing an “off-the-shelf” approach—that is, purchasing proven technological and industrial solutions—is the most realistic option. The reasons are obvious:
First, the avoidance of technological risk, as mature solutions with proven safety are preferable.
Second, easier integration into the certification and regulatory system; and third, limiting the political cost of such a sensitive choice.
Nevertheless, such a strategy does not preclude the development of knowledge; on the contrary, it can (in fact, it should) serve as a powerful catalyst for strengthening the “footprint” of the domestic scientific, technological, and industrial base through participation in the system and support network of these energy systems.
Policies
Once the political decision is made for Greece to participate in nuclear technology, consistent policies must be implemented that aim to maximize the participation of the domestic research, technology, and industry in the network of public contracts to be awarded.
The goal must be to draw upon as much know-how as possible , as well as to integrate the domestic scientific and productive system into the corresponding international value chains.
The desired directions for Greek research institutions and businesses are:
- Participation in the global value chains of nuclear contractors.
- The acquisition of know-how, certifications, and tacit knowledge.
- The creation of links and collaborations with research and technology teams working on cutting-edge technologies, e.g., in energy, materials technologies, and safety engineering.
Mapping
The first prerequisite is to map the country’s existing research and technological capabilities in fields such as nuclear science, radiological engineering, and energy management. The following must be documented:
- Researchers and teams with relevant scientific expertise.
- Research infrastructure.
Understanding the current state of affairs through mapping is a necessary prerequisite for implementing a coherent policy, as it will highlight the country’s strengths in research as well as the areas that need reinforcement.
Human Resources
On the educational front, the university system must align itself with this new reality. Targeted graduate programs, updated curricula, and meaningful links with industry are critical prerequisites for training a new generation of nuclear engineers. These graduates will become the professionals who will work in the field.
Increasing the number of doctoral dissertations, particularly in collaboration with companies (“industrial doctorates”), will not only increase the number of researchers and domestic production of original knowledge, but will also facilitate the link between fundamental research and practical needs.
At the same time, strengthening Greek participation in European programs, particularly within the framework of Euratom, can provide both funding and valuable connections with leading international partners.
In the same vein, strengthening national research infrastructure—such as upgrading or reactivating the Demokritos nuclear reactor —could serve as a symbolic and practical focal point for relevant research.
Industrial policy
Research objectives must be complemented by corresponding business objectives, so as to establish a holistic technological and industrial policy on the issue.
For companies, participation in nuclear technology projects is not limited to technical construction. Given that approximately 20% of a nuclear facility consists of strictly “nuclear” subsystems, there is significant scope (the remaining 80%) for the domestic industrial sector to participate in thermohydraulic, electronics, and automation systems, control sensors, etc.
Participation in such a demanding field requires certifications, quality control procedures, and a system of continuous staff training. Greek industry can invest in skills development programs that will enable collaboration with major international contractors, leveraging experience from other energy sectors such as logistics or energy management systems.
Mapping potential contractors and subcontractors who possess the necessary licenses, skills, certified personnel, expertise, and capacity to undertake specific projects will demonstrate current capabilities (“as is”) and, similarly, identify what remains to be done for those companies that wish to participate but are not yet able to do so.
Above all, the availability of such a registry (as mentioned above regarding research performance) will give the state the advantage of being able to negotiate with full awareness of the full scope of its research and business capabilities, thereby maximizing the relevant compensation sought.
Strategy
All of the above makes sense only if there is a clear and institutionalized strategic direction from the state in favor of integrating nuclear energy into the national energy mix.
Given the“national security”nature of this technology, official state acceptance is a necessary condition for the launch of any technological or industrial initiative.
Current initiatives—conferences and workshops, dialogues, position papers—create the necessary preliminary framework. However, the transition from discussion to action requires clear signs of political commitment.
Only these can offer universities, research institutions, and businesses the assurance that it is worth investing time, resources, and human capital and proceeding in the directions proposed above.
A Test of Maturity
Nuclear energy is not merely an energy option. It is a field where scientific, industrial, and political dimensions converge—a test of maturity for the national innovation system.
For Greece, the challenge is not only whether to adopt the technology, but how to transform such a choice into a lever for creating knowledge, employment , and technological sovereignty. Past decisions to adopt large-scale technological systems in the country, involving foreign contractors, which did not yield benefits for the domestic system, must serve as lessons learned.
The formulation of a coherent technological and industrial policy in this sector is not the responsibility of individual scientists or government agencies. It is a collective process of strategic maturation that can position the country with confidence in Europe’s new energy landscape.
* Dr. Nikos Karabekios (pictured left) is the head of the Department of Defense Innovation at the National Documentation and Electronic Content Center (EKT).
**Dr. Konstantinos Sioumalas is an Artificial Intelligence researcher at Gruppo Maggioli (R&D Department, Greece)