From 25 to 27 March 2026, the SNETP Forum brought Europe’s nuclear community together in Madrid for three days of discussion, exchange and collaboration. Hosted with the support of SNETP’s Spanish partners and institutions, the Forum placed a strong spotlight on Spain’s nuclear landscape while also looking ahead to the wider challenges and opportunities facing the sector across Europe.
A forum focused on the future
The programme reflected the full breadth of the sector, with discussions on the role of nuclear fission in Europe’s energy system, the advancement of Small Modular Reactors, and the importance of collaboration as a driver of innovation. Across the plenaries, speakers explored the key questions facing the industry today: how to secure clean, reliable and competitive energy, how to speed up deployment, and how to ensure the right skills, tools and frameworks are in place.
What came through strongly was the sense of momentum. The sector is not only looking at how to extend the life of existing plants, but also how to bring new technologies to market, support industrial decarbonisation, and strengthen Europe’s nuclear capability for the long term.
Technical sessions with real substance
Several parallel technical sessions gave participants a chance to dive into the topics shaping the future of nuclear. These covered new nuclear projects, long-term operation, hybrid energy systems, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, advanced fuels and materials, innovation in the nuclear sector, advanced modelling and simulation, advanced modular reactors, safety and licensing, and waste management and decommissioning.
Across these discussions, one theme stood out: research is rapidly turning into practical solutions. From passive safety and modular construction to digital twins, licensing pathways and waste treatment, the focus was clear: making innovation credible, usable and ready for real-world deployment.
Key takeaways
Several clear messages stood out from the Forum. Existing nuclear plants remain a cornerstone of Europe’s energy mix, and long-term operation will continue to be essential. At the same time, SMRs and AMRs are moving steadily forward, supported by strong research and growing industrial interest.
A dedicated plenary on Spain’s nuclear energy mix highlighted how to meet rising electricity demand while ensuring grid stability, the value of long-term operation for value creation, and the strength of Spain’s supply chain and related industries. Licensing and standardisation were also prominent topics, reflecting the need for frameworks that can support innovation across different national contexts. Beyond electricity, the discussions on industrial heat, hydrogen and hybrid energy systems showed how nuclear can contribute more broadly to Europe’s decarbonisation goals.
A strong sense of community
Alongside the formal programme, the social events helped make the Forum feel truly connected. The cocktail reception offered a relaxed setting for conversations to continue, while the gala dinner brought participants together in a more festive atmosphere.
The poster exhibition was another highlight. It showcased the SNETP Project Portfolio, a selection of labelled projects, conference abstracts and interactive posters with thought-provoking questions. Spread across six themed islands, the exhibition created an engaging space to explore the diversity of work taking place across the network.
The islands covered Tomorrow’s Reactors, Smarter and Safer Today, Nuclear for Industry and Society, Innovating Materials and Components / Waste and Recycling, Knowledge, Licensing and European Collaboration, and Smart Nuclear: AI and Digital Twins.
Thanks to our sponsors and partners
The success of the Forum was made possible thanks to our sponsors Westinghouse Electric Company, Empresarios Agrupados, EDF, ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas, Framatome, and partners CIEMAT, EPRI Europe, Nfq Advisory, Solutions, Outsourcing and Iberdrola. Their commitment created the space for meaningful exchange, fresh ideas and stronger collaboration across the European nuclear community.
Looking ahead
The SNETP Forum 2026 showed a sector that is active, ambitious and ready to work together. It brought out the strength of Europe’s nuclear research and innovation community, and the shared determination to deliver safe, competitive and forward-looking solutions for the decades ahead. We are already looking forward to the next edition celebrating 20 years of SNETP in 2027 in Paris, France.
