At the Delphi Economic Forum X, the discussion around a “Nuclear Renaissance” marked a historic first: an open dialogue on the potential role of nuclear energy in Greece’s future. The panel, featuring key figures such as Ariel Levite, Christos Housiadas, George Nounesis, and Dionysios Chionis and chaired by Athanasios Platias, opened up a much-needed conversation about energy, resilience, and ambition.
Ariel Levite set the stage with a cautionary yet visionary tone: “There are numerous challenges, globally and locally, for this vision to be realised.” His enumeration of infrastructure gaps—technical, regulatory, and social—underscored the weight of the task. Beyond physical infrastructure, Levite highlighted the importance of public buy-in: “It’s one thing to support nuclear energy in theory, and another to agree to a plant in your backyard.” For Greece, a country historically wary of nuclear expansion, that distinction is crucial.
Nuclear Renaissance
Dr. Christos Housiadas, Chairman of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission, detailed the regulatory roadblocks in approving Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—a key element of new nuclear technology. Most SMRs fall under Generation IV classifications, which involve new fuels, coolants, and safety mechanisms. Yet, regulators are still bound by rules developed for earlier reactor generations. “It’s very hard to approve new technology with yesterday’s rules,” Housiadas noted, emphasising the delicate balance between safety and innovation. A European Union task force, he explained, recently categorised 99 SMR designs and grouped them by regulatory maturity. Half remain in early developmental phases. Europe, and by extension Greece, is not lagging behind in ideas—but it is lagging behind in execution.
The historical context is especially poignant. Greece was among the early adopters of nuclear experimentation in the 1950s and ’60s. As George Nounesis recalled, the Demokritos research centre symbolised Greece’s scientific promise. However, the country ultimately stepped away from nuclear development, largely due to shifting political decisions and growing public scepticism post-1970s.
Today, Greece is nuclear-free. “We successfully decommissioned the Demokritos reactor, and even the nuclear waste has been taken care of—for the next 300 years,” said Nounesis. Rather than a story of failure, he framed it as a case study in responsible handling—a foundation of credibility for any future nuclear endeavours. Still, the loss of institutional memory looms. As one panellist said, “We had the know-how. But that generation is gone. If we want to try again, we must start from scratch.”
This is where Dionysios Chionis and Athlos Energy enter the scene. “The first concrete step has already been taken,” Chionis declared. His company represents the first Greek entity solely dedicated to nuclear energy. Athlos Energy is building an ecosystem that brings together international expertise and local talent, aiming to educate, demystify, and eventually deploy.
Delphi Economic Forum
For Chionis, nuclear energy is no longer a luxury. “It’s affordable, scalable, and modular. It’s safe and reliable. If we want to lead—and not follow—we need to embrace it now.” He acknowledged the success of renewables but challenged the illusion of their sufficiency. “The sun doesn’t shine at night. Wind is stochastic. Batteries are expensive. We cannot rely on them alone for energy security.”
The final challenge? Policy. The Greek government, the panel agreed, must revise its national energy strategy and formally include nuclear as a viable option. Without that commitment, the private sector remains in limbo.
So, will Greece catch this second wave of nuclear innovation—or watch it from the shore again?
One thing is clear: if the country is to enter the nuclear age, it needs more than technical readiness. It needs courage—political, public, and professional. The panellists made the case. Now, it’s up to the policymakers to respond.
