Nuclear power has been poised for a revival as Europe strives to cut climate-warming carbon emissions and gas imports, but public mistrust still runs high, with the Chernobyl accident in 1986 still strong in many Europeans' minds.

Public confidence in the industry looked set to fall as Japan scrambled on Monday to avert a meltdown at a stricken nuclear plant, days after an earthquake and tsunami.

The 27-member EU was already sharply divided, with France seeking to export its nuclear expertise, but Austria strongly opposed to any further expansion in its neighborhood.

Nowhere is the issue more controversial than in Germany, where demonstrators have taken to the

Britain, which is planning up to 16 gigawatts of new nuclear power, said it was difficult to draw parallels with Japan, because Europe is not as geologically active.

Reuters