ENERGY 53
Dear Participants and Guests of the
AtomExpo Forum,
By working together with governments and experts to
improve economics and public acceptance, the industry can
achieve a future where nuclear energy plays a greatly expanded
role in supplying reliable, affordable and clean energy.
There are many bright spots for nuclear energy globally – the
recent acceleration of nuclear construction in China is to be
applauded, as is the apparent opening up of the Indian market.
Reactor new build is at a global high not seen in two decades,
and a range of countries actively work towards establishing
their nuclear program – such as Turkey, which has just broken
ground on its first nuclear power plant.
However in other parts of the world the energy landscape
is changing rapidly, bringing with it uncertainty. Renewables
continue to get cheaper and, aided by generous support
arrangements, they often undermine the viability of existing
generating assets. “Breakthroughs” in areas, such as home
energy storage systems and smart meters, lead to a re-
examining of the need for baseload power like nuclear. In many
countries the nuclear industry faces profound challenges – both
economic and especially political in nature.
Does the nuclear industry respond to this new reality as threat
or an opportunity? What are the innovations and undertakings
that will position us to advantage in the new environment, and
how soon can we expect to see them?
The secretariat I lead at the World Nuclear Association
continues its work to realise opportunities at the international
level. We have strengthened our relationship with key
energy and policy bodies and now regularly take part in their
discourses. We work to make progress on the technical and
legal barriers which have long held industry back, such as
licensing and radiation standards.
So yes, there are many challenges, but there are also many
opportunities facing the nuclear industry today. If industry
gets its priorities right, we can expect nuclear energy
to play a more important role in the future low-carbon
generating mix.
Taken from Agneta Risings remarks at the Atom Expo Forum,
Mexico June 2015