However, it is uncertain when this large nuclear power plant will start supplying power to France's electrical grid. The construction is significantly delayed, being a decade behind schedule and over budget by 12 billion euros. The plans to begin operations this year have been postponed to 2024. These issues at Flamanville are not isolated, as Finland's newest nuclear power plant, which just started operating, was originally planned to be completed in 2009. President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine have prompted Europe to reduce its reliance on Russian natural gas and oil, leading to a growing interest in nuclear power as a source of domestic energy and stable electricity. Advocates believe that nuclear energy could help alleviate Europe's impending energy crisis, especially as the continent transitions towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to meet climate change objectives. However, the push for a nuclear revival faces obstacles, including political divisions within Europe over the use of nuclear power. While pro-nuclear countries like France advocate for increasing nuclear capacity, others such as Germany are opposed due to concerns over radioactive waste. The recent European Commission proposal to decrease reliance on Russia did not include nuclear power as an option to be considered. The challenges faced by the Flamanville-3 project, a pressurized-water reactor intended to generate 1,600 megawatts of energy, such as delays and cost overruns, are indicative of the broader technical, logistical, and cost obstacles hindering expansion. Despite nuclear power currently accounting for a quarter of the EU's electricity production, predominantly from aging reactors built in the 1980s, with France being the largest producer, plans for up to 13 new-generation reactors in France will not be operational until at least 2035, too late to address the current energy crisis. Britain has announced plans for eight new nuclear plants, but the reality is less optimistic. Five of the current British reactors are set to be decommissioned due to age, while only one new nuclear station is currently being built in southwest England. This project, led by France, is expected to be operational by 2026. Other nuclear projects in Eastern Europe are not expected to be completed before 2030. According to Jonathan Stern from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, nuclear projects take at least a decade to complete. "The main issue is finding an alternative to Russian gas, and this needs to be addressed now, not in ten years when more nuclear reactors may have been built," he stated. Supporters believe nuclear power could be a viable solution if there is enough political support. In response to Russia's aggression towards Ukraine, Belgium's government, in collaboration with the Green party, decided to extend the lifespan of two nuclear reactors for another ten years instead of phasing out nuclear energy by 2025. This decision will help Belgium reduce its reliance on Russian gas by expanding renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to meet European climate targets by 2035. "The invasion of Ukraine was a turning point," Belgium's energy minister, Tinne Van der Straeten, remarked last week, clarifying the government's change in direction. "We aimed to decrease our imports from Russia." However, in Germany, which is heavily reliant on Russian gas and coal, the suggestion of using nuclear power to address an energy shortage is not gaining traction. Germany is set to shut down its remaining three nuclear plants by the end of the year, following a decision made after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011 to phase out all 17 reactors. Although two major energy companies in Germany are willing to delay the closures to reduce dependence on Russia, the Green party, a part of the governing coalition, opposes the idea of continuing to operate or reopening the nuclear stations. Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated in parliament that Germany has decided to phase out nuclear power for valid reasons and delaying the exit is not a favorable option. Despite some countries viewing nuclear power as a viable alternative, there are numerous obstacles to overcome. Mark Hibbs, a nuclear expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, explained that President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious plans for a nuclear power resurgence in France will not happen quickly. The estimated cost of 50 billion euros for new-generation atomic reactors is a significant barrier for other European countries. Additionally, the industry needs to train a new generation of nuclear power engineers, further delaying progress. As other technologies advance rapidly and become cheaper, nuclear power is not keeping pace and is becoming more expensive. In the meantime, France's aging reactors are undergoing safety inspections, hindering their ability to assist with energy shortages in Europe. "There will be a decrease in nuclear production in France this year unless a miraculous solution is found, but unfortunately, there is no such solution," she stated. However, Moscow's aggression might help reverse the industry's gradual decline. There have been optimistic announcements recently, such as Britain's decision to expand its nuclear capacity and the Netherlands' plan to build two more reactors in addition to their existing one, to complement their renewable energy sources. In Eastern Europe, several countries near Russia had been planning to construct numerous nuclear reactors, a decision that now seems wise in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NuScale Power, an Oregon-based company, is promoting a new reactor design that they believe will be more cost-effective and faster to build by assembling key components in factories. The company has secured preliminary agreements in Romania and Poland, with the recent Russian invasion prompting customers to consider nuclear energy as part of their energy portfolio. Nuclearelectrica, the Romanian power company, is moving forward with plans for a NuScale plant and two Canadian reactors to enhance energy security in response to the Ukraine crisis. Analysts believe that Russia's actions will ultimately support the European goal of greater energy independence in the long term. Text = Copyright 2022 The New York Times Company.