After decades of championing renewable energy, the Nordic region—long seen as a global model for green transition—is now cautiously reconsidering nuclear power. Leading this shift is Denmark, which has historically rejected nuclear energy, but is now exploring its potential for the first time in forty years.
Despite generating nearly 90% of its electricity from renewables, Denmark is grappling with rising electricity demand—fueled by AI-related data centers—and setbacks in offshore wind expansion. Nuclear, once taboo, is now back on the table, with public opinion shifting in its favor thanks to newer, safer technologies.
Sweden, which already operates several nuclear plants, has announced plans to expand its nuclear fleet. The Swedish government considers it a key strategy to meet climate goals and stabilize its electricity grid.
Finland, meanwhile, has taken a bold step ahead. In 2023, it activated Olkiluoto 3, a 1,600 MW reactor that now covers about 40% of the nation’s electricity demand. Finland is also home to Onkalo, the world’s first deep geological repository for nuclear waste—an underground bunker designed to safely store radioactive material for the next century.
These moves stand in stark contrast to Germany, which shut down its last three nuclear reactors in 2023, only to face energy shortfalls and a temporary return to coal. Critics now argue that Berlin’s phase-out was driven more by ideology than practicality.
Across the Nordics, the nuclear renaissance is not about abandoning renewables—it’s about complementing them. With wind and solar facing intermittency issues, nuclear offers a stable and low-carbon source of energy that may be crucial for achieving climate neutrality and energy independence in the decades ahead. As the world moves toward a high-electricity future, Nordic countries are proving that even the greenest nations may need to embrace a broader energy mix.
