A heated political debate on nuclear energy is intensifying in Denmark, as leading parties Venstre and Moderaterne openly advocate for repealing the country’s de facto nuclear power ban, in place since 1985. While nuclear energy has long been a taboo in Danish politics, recent developments, including geopolitical instability and climate imperatives, have brought it back into focus.
A historical ban rooted in Cold War anxieties
Denmark’s nuclear moratorium stems from a 1985 parliamentary decision that instructed governments to plan energy policy under the assumption that nuclear power would not be used. The decision followed widespread public resistance and fears sparked by the proximity of Sweden’s Barsebäck nuclear plant and later the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
Though not a legal prohibition, the formulation has effectively banned nuclear energy from Denmark’s energy strategy for four decades.
Venstre: Nuclear power is now a green necessity
Venstre’s party leader, Troels Lund Poulsen, now says the original rationale no longer holds. In a statement, he emphasized that nuclear power should be considered part of the country’s energy toolbox:
“The world’s uncertainty means we need stable, cheap and above all green energy more than ever.”
Venstre argues that revoking the ban could enable innovation and investment in nuclear research and allow Danish companies to build testing facilities. Poulsen stressed that nuclear energy is already a key component of Europe’s decarbonisation efforts and can play a role in reaching global climate targets.
Moderaterne: Time to depoliticize the nuclear option
The call to action was first launched by the Moderaterne, who propose ending the ban not because they advocate for nuclear energy per se, but to reduce ideological polarisation. Their climate spokesperson, Henrik Frandsen, argued that keeping the ban fuels a symbolic and distracting debate:
“We’re losing focus on renewable energy expansion because we keep debating nuclear.”
Frandsen reaffirmed the party’s belief in solar, wind, and biogas as Denmark’s core energy future, but wants nuclear to be allowed to “compete on equal terms” with other technologies.
Socialdemokratiet remains cautious and sceptical
Despite these pressures, the largest Government party, Socialdemokratiet, continues to oppose lifting the ban. Jesper Petersen, the party’s energy and climate spokesperson, made clear that the government has no plans to embrace nuclear:
“We are not removing the nuclear ban.”
However, the party has agreed to launch a government analysis on the risks, potentials, and costs of lifting the moratorium. While Petersen acknowledges the importance of monitoring technological developments, he reaffirmed that conventional nuclear energy is “not relevant for Denmark” at this time.
Public opinion and geopolitical shifts influence the conversation
The shift in attitude from outright rejection to cautious openness reflects broader changes in public opinion, shaped by growing concern over energy security and Russian gas dependency.
According to Poulsen, repealing the ban would help Denmark become more energy-independent. With the war in Ukraine entering its fourth year, the need for energy diversification is pushing several European nations to reassess their energy strategies.
The road ahead: Analysis before legislation
The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) has agreed to commission a comprehensive policy analysis on the implications of removing the ban. The analysis, expected within a year, will examine new nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), and their potential integration into Denmark’s energy system.
While the outcome of this process remains uncertain, the political and societal momentum suggests that Denmark is entering a new phase in its energy debate—one in which nuclear energy is no longer a closed topic.
As Frandsen put it:
“We don’t believe in nuclear, but we believe in removing old legal barriers.”
