Elon Musk on Nuclear Power
TL;DR
Elon Musk strongly supports existing nuclear fission plants but strongly criticizes the pursuit of fusion energy as "super dumb."
Key Points
He called the global pursuit of building nuclear fusion reactors on Earth "super dumb" in December 2025.
In March 2022, he stated that efforts to shut down existing nuclear power plants were "total madness" and urged reopening closed ones.
He advocates for existing nuclear fission to be maintained as an essential energy source between now and the long term, which he sees as dominated by solar energy and batteries.
Summary
Elon Musk's position on nuclear power is nuanced, demonstrating a clear distinction between existing fission reactors and the development of fusion energy. He has repeatedly argued that shutting down operational nuclear power plants is "total madness" and a strategic mistake, especially in regions dependent on foreign energy supplies like Europe. The chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX stated that existing fission plants should not only remain operational but that closed ones should be reopened, as they are the fastest way to generate necessary energy, provided the location is not prone to major natural disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis.
Conversely, he has expressed vehement opposition to investing in controlled nuclear fusion research on Earth. Musk argues that the Sun is the ultimate, enormous, and free fusion reactor, making the effort to build small, complex reactors on the planet inefficient and a waste of resources. This stance aligns with his preference for solar power coupled with battery storage as the primary long-term energy solution for civilization, though he maintains that nuclear fission is critical as a bridge fuel until that solar infrastructure is fully realized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Elon Musk holds a mixed view, strongly advocating for the continued operation of existing nuclear fission plants while vehemently criticizing the pursuit of nuclear fusion. He views fission as a necessary component of the current energy mix to transition away from fossil fuels. However, he dismisses fusion as inefficient compared to solar energy.
His public statements suggest an evolution or, more accurately, a differentiation in his position over time. While he previously made strong statements against nuclear energy generally, more recent commentary distinguishes between fission, which he supports for stability, and fusion, which he actively criticizes as a poor investment.
The CEO repeatedly referred to efforts to shut down operational nuclear power plants as "crazy" and "total madness." He emphasized that, absent major natural disaster risk, keeping them running is the fastest way to secure energy supplies.
Sources3
Elon Musk Slams Nuclear Energy As 'Super Dumb', Declares Solar Power The Real Future
Elon Musk: Shutting down nuclear plants is “total madness” -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire
Elon Musk Paints an Extremely Big Pie and Criticizes Nuclear Fusion as Extremely Stupid
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.