However, the exact date when this large power plant will start providing electricity to France is unknown. The construction is ten years behind schedule and over budget by 12 billion euros. The original plans to begin operations this year have been delayed once more, now set for 2024. The issues at Flamanville are not exclusive, as Finland's most recent nuclear power plant, which just began operating, was meant to be finished in 2009. As President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine lead Europe to reduce its reliance on Russian natural resources, nuclear power is gaining prominence as a source of domestic energy and stable electricity. Advocates suggest that nuclear energy could help address Europe's imminent energy shortages, complementing the ongoing shift towards renewable technologies such as solar and wind power to meet climate goals. The invasion by Putin has reshaped Europe's energy security considerations, according to Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency, who predicts that nuclear energy may become less popular due to increased energy insecurity. However, the push for a nuclear resurgence faces challenges, as the search for alternatives to Russian fuel highlights a political divide in Europe over nuclear power. While a group of pro-nuclear countries led by France advocate for expanding nuclear power, others like Germany are against it, citing concerns about radioactive waste. The recent plan from the European Commission to reduce reliance on Russia did not include nuclear power as an option to explore. The challenges faced by the Flamanville-3 project, such as delays and cost overruns, are representative of the broader issues faced by nuclear power expansion. Currently, a quarter of the EU's electricity comes from nuclear power, with most plants built in the 1980s. France, with 56 reactors, produces over half of this total. Plans for up to 13 new-generation reactors in France, using a different design from Flamanville, are not expected to be operational until at least 2035, which is too late to address the current energy crisis. Britain has announced plans for eight new nuclear plants, but the reality is that five of the six existing reactors will be retired in the next decade due to their age. Only one new nuclear station is currently under construction in southwest England, with completion expected in 2026. Projects in Eastern Europe are not expected to be completed before 2030, as nuclear projects typically take at least 10 years to finish. Jonathan Stern from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies notes that nuclear projects are time-consuming. The main issue is reducing dependence on Russian gas, and this needs to happen now, not in ten years. Advocates believe nuclear power could be a solution with the right political support. Belgium's government, in partnership with the Green party, decided to extend the life of two reactors to avoid relying on Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine. This decision will also help Belgium meet their renewable energy goals by 2035. “We aimed to decrease our imports from Russia.” However, in Germany, which relies more heavily on Russian gas and coal than any other European country, the suggestion of using nuclear power to address an energy crisis seems to be facing obstacles. Germany is set to shut down its remaining three nuclear plants by the end of the year, marking the end of a plan approved by lawmakers to phase out the country's 17 reactors following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011. Despite some of Germany's largest energy companies being open to delaying the closures to reduce reliance on Russia, the Green party, part of the governing coalition in Berlin, has rejected the idea of keeping the plants operational, let alone reopening the three nuclear stations that closed in December. Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated to parliament that the decision to phase out nuclear power was made for valid reasons and that postponing Germany's exit from nuclear power was not a viable plan. Even in countries that view nuclear power as a viable option, numerous obstacles stand in the way. Mark Hibbs, a nuclear expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that President Emmanuel Macron's plans for a nuclear power resurgence in France will not happen quickly. The estimated cost of this plan is 50 billion euros, which is a significant expense that other European countries may not be able to afford. Additionally, there is a need for training a new generation of nuclear power engineers to support this initiative. While other technologies are advancing rapidly and becoming more affordable, the nuclear industry is not progressing as quickly and is becoming more expensive. France's aging reactors, originally built in response to the oil crisis in the 1970s, are currently undergoing safety inspections, which hinders their ability to assist with energy shortages caused by Russia's energy policies. She mentioned that nuclear production in France will decrease this year unless a magic solution is found, although there is no such solution. However, Moscow's aggression could potentially reverse the industry's gradual decline. Lately, there have been several positive statements. In addition to Britain's recent announcement to increase its nuclear capacity, the Netherlands, which currently has one reactor, intends to construct two more to complement solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources. Furthermore, in Eastern Europe, several countries near Russia had been planning to build multiple nuclear reactors, a decision that supporters believe is wise given Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NuScale Power, based in Oregon, is promoting a new reactor design that they claim will be more cost-effective and faster to build by assembling key components in factories. The company has secured initial agreements in Romania and Poland, and according to Tom Mundy, the chief commercial officer, the recent Russian invasion has increased interest in nuclear power as part of the energy mix for many countries. Nuclearelectrica, the Romanian power company, is moving forward with plans for a NuScale plant and two Canadian reactors in response to the need for greater energy security highlighted by the Ukraine crisis. Meike Becker, a utilities analyst at Bernstein, believes that in the long run, Russia's war will likely support the European goal of achieving more energy independence. Copyright 2022 The New York Times Company.