Denmark rethinking 40-year nuclear power ban amid Europe-wide shift

[hunter]

Denmark is reconsidering its 40-year ban on nuclear power in a major policy shift for the renewables-heavy country.

The Danish government will analyse the potential benefits of a new generation of nuclear power technologies after banning traditional nuclear reactors in 1985, its energy minister said.

The Scandinavian country is one of Europe’s most renewables-rich energy markets and home to Ørsted, the world’s biggest offshore wind company. More than 80% of its electricity is generated from renewables, including wind, biofuels and solar, according to the International Energy Agency.

But Denmark may begin investing in modular nuclear reactors too, Lars Aagaard, the energy and climate minister, suggested.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/14/denmark-rethinking-40-year-nuclear-power-ban-amid-europe-wide-shift

Nuclear power is the only way Denmark will quit their fossil fuel habit.

Denmark's carbon intensity here:

https://app.electricitymaps.com/zone/DK-DK1/12mo/monthly (West)

https://app.electricitymaps.com/zone/DK-DK2/12mo/monthly (East)

Denmark burns coal and gas whenever the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining.

I don't think generation IV modular nuclear plants are any kind of panacea, since they are not being mass produced yet and it's unclear when they might be.

Denmark could start building generation III+ nuclear power plants today.