Europe’s Nuclear Waste: From Burden to Energy Resource

Europe’s nuclear industry stands at a historic crossroads, as decades of accumulated radioactive waste—once viewed as an intractable liability—are now being reimagined as a strategic asset. A wave of startups, advanced reactor designs, and shifting political winds across the continent are converging to transform this waste into a source of low-carbon power that could fuel Europe for generations.

Thorizon and the Rise of Molten Salt Reactors

At the forefront of this technological shift is Thorizon, a Franco-Dutch startup developing a new class of small modular molten salt reactors (MSRs). By blending spent uranium fuel with thorium, Thorizon’s reactor concept aims to recycle the long-lived elements within nuclear waste, converting them into energy while dramatically reducing the inventory of hazardous materials. The first reactor, Thorizon One, is targeted for construction within five years and is expected to supply 100 megawatts—enough power for about 100,000 homes or a major data center, according to The Next Web.

“We’re not just building a new type of reactor—we’re rethinking how we use the fuel we already have,” Thorizon CEO Kiki Leuwers told The Next Web. “Europe is sitting on a stockpile of valuable nuclear material. With the right technology, that waste becomes a resource.”

This vision is backed by substantial funding and support. Earlier this year, Thorizon and fellow molten salt developer Stellaria, both working with industry giant Orano, received grants from the French government to accelerate MSR research and development, as reported by World Nuclear News. The initiative provides not only capital but also critical access to European nuclear research, regulation, and business guidance.

Fueling the Continent for Decades

The stakes are enormous. Lauwers estimates that Europe’s stockpiles of nuclear waste could power the entire region for 40 years if fully recycled in advanced fast reactors—a point echoed by WePlanet and cited in reports by Energy Monitor and Interesting Engineering. Unlike conventional light water reactors, fast reactors employ high-energy neutrons that can consume a broader spectrum of radioactive isotopes, unlocking roughly 90% of the original uranium’s energy content that remains after the first fuel cycle.

The U.S. Department of Energy has also signaled that America’s own nuclear waste, if similarly redeployed, could power the nation for a century or more, highlighting the global potential of this approach.

Waste Management and Regulatory Shifts

Conventional strategies for nuclear waste management in the European Union have focused on deep geological disposal, with facilities like Finland’s Onkalo repository cited as leading examples. These repositories isolate waste in stable rock formations for thousands of years but do not extract further value from the material.

However, with existing storage facilities reaching capacity and a growing imperative for energy independence, European policymakers are reevaluating the long-term role of nuclear technology. Denmark, which maintained a nuclear ban for four decades, is now actively reconsidering its stance in the face of energy security concerns, as detailed by Brussels Signal and Reccessary. International proposals for joint waste repositories and regional cooperation are also gaining traction, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Technological and Market Hurdles

While the technical promise is clear, realizing this vision will require overcoming regulatory, financial, and public trust barriers. Advanced reactor designs such as MSRs and fast neutron reactors must surmount rigorous licensing processes and demonstrate long-term safety and reliability at scale. Meanwhile, the integration of new fuel cycles and waste streams with existing infrastructure remains a complex challenge.

Still, the momentum is undeniable. Recent European Commission reports describe advanced recycling as a cornerstone of the EU’s push for climate-neutral baseload electricity and energy sovereignty. Industry insiders recognize the paradigm shift underway: nuclear waste is no longer just a problem to be buried, but a reservoir of untapped clean energy with transformative potential.

As Europe advances toward a new nuclear era, the continent’s buried radioactive legacy may ultimately become its greatest energy resource—an evolution driven by innovation, policy, and the urgent demands of climate and security.