Press

Press Statements

Issued by the World Nuclear Association

Launch of The World Nuclear Supply Chain Outlook 2040 (23 September 2020)

The publication today of The World Nuclear Supply Chain Outlook 2040 provides a market-oriented review of the opportunities and challenges for nuclear power plants and their supply chain, including scenarios for the evolution of nuclear energy over the next two decades.

World Nuclear Association appoints new Director General (15 September 2020)

World Nuclear Association announces that Agneta Rising will be stepping down from her position at the end of October. Dr Sama Bilbao y León has been appointed as the next Director General.

Nuclear generation nears record high (25 August 2020)

Nuclear generation reached a near-record high in 2019, with output reaching 2657 TWh, enough to meet more than 10% of the world’s electricity demand, according to the World Nuclear Association Performance Report 2020, which was published today.

World Nuclear Association releases White Paper (9 July 2020)

World Nuclear Association has released a new White Paper outlining why nuclear projects should be part of the economic and employment recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

World Nuclear Association releases its new technical position paper on The Enduring Value of Nuclear Energy Assets (30 June 2020)

More governments must introduce policies to support the long-term operation (LTO) of nuclear plants to maximise the environmental, employment and economic benefits they bring. This is the conclusion of a new technical position paperissued by World Nuclear Association's Long-term Operation Task Force.

Displaying results 1-5 (of 92)

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10

Briefings

Background information on topical issues

Speech made at the IAEA International Conference on Climate Change and the Role of Nuclear Power

Agneta Rising's speech at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International Conference on Climate Change and the Role of Nuclear Power, in Vienna on October 2019, highlighted the need for governments to take action to create the conditions needed to allow nuclear energy to deliver its potential.

Remarks made marking the 60th anniversary of the Nuclear Energy Agency

Agneta Rising's speech looking back on progress made by the nuclear industry, and looking ahead to future opportunities. The speech was to mark the NEA's 60th anniversary.

Nuclear power is essential for energy, environment & the economy (25 January 2018)

Full text of speech made by Agneta Rising to the Energy Commission Members of the Bulgarian Parliament on 25 January 2018.

Germany to miss emissions target because of nuclear closures (10 November 2017)

Germany is projected to miss its 2020 emissions reduction target because it has prioritised closing nuclear plants ahead of closing coal plants.

Nuclear still shines in the UK (2 June 2017)

Although peak generation from solar briefly exceeded generation from nuclear energy on 26 May 2017 in the UK, over the whole day nuclear generated considerably more low carbon electricity. Expanding nuclear offers greater potential for emissions savings.

Displaying results 1-5 (of 18)

< 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 >

Subscribe to press statements

Subscribe to events emails

Gallery

Mean capacity factor 2015-2019 by age of reactor

Levelized cost of electricity ranges (at 7% discount rate)

Twitter Facebook WNN feed

Tweets by @WorldNuclear

World Nuclear News

Canadian firms make progress with radioisotope production

Published: Fri, 25 Sep 2020 15:17:28 GMT

Ontario Power Generation, its subsidiary Laurentis Energy Partners, BWXT ITG Canada Inc and its affiliates yesterday said they are making "significant progress" towards the production of molydbenum-99 at OPG's Darlington plant. Darlington will be the first large-scale nuclear power station to produce the medical radioisotope, they said.

Panellists address SMR supply chain challenges

Published: Fri, 25 Sep 2020 13:37:57 GMT

The commercial deployment of small modular reactors will bring new supply chain opportunities as well as challenges, panellists at an event to launch a World Nuclear Association report said this week. The World Nuclear Supply Chain: Outlook 2040 analyses the economic value of the nuclear power industry and provides a market-oriented review of the opportunities and challenges for nuclear power plants and their supply chain over the next two decades.

COP presidents call for enhanced NDCs by December

Published: Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:23:12 GMT

Carolina Schmidt and Alok Sharma - respectively, COP25 president and COP26 president-designate - yesterday issued a joint plea for new and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions and net-zero targets ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement. NDCs embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Door opens for nuclear to enter sustainability debate

Published: Thu, 24 Sep 2020 14:44:04 GMT

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has welcomed the nuclear industry into its debate on the policy responses required to address climate change and sustainable development. Today, UNECE's Expert Group on Resource Management held a session titled The role of nuclear energy resources in sustainable development as part of UNECE Energy Week 2020.

US test reactor programme moves ahead

Published: Thu, 24 Sep 2020 15:16:00 GMT

The US Department of Energy has approved Critical Decision 1 for the Versatile Test Reactor, meaning the project can now move to the engineering design phase. DOE has requested USD295 million for FY 2021 for the one-of-a-kind facility that would support research and development of innovative nuclear energy and other technologies.

A sustainable future has diversity at its heart

Published: Thu, 24 Sep 2020 14:06:29 GMT

World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising said today that the changes needed to transition to a more sustainable future will not happen without the participation of a diverse workforce, and the greater inclusion of women. Speaking to participants in a side event to the International Atomic Energy Agency's 64th General Conference, Rising said the energy sector remains one of the most gender-imbalanced, and that the nuclear sector was no exception.

Project to downblend Kazakh HEU fuel completed

Published: Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:29:20 GMT

A project to remove the last remaining batch of unirradiated highly enriched uranium fuel from Kazakhstan has been completed in a joint effort by Kazakhstan and the USA, the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration has announced. The two nations have also signed a new joint statement reaffirming their intention to continue to work together to support the common goal of minimising nuclear proliferation, ensuring nuclear security and strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Report sees opportunities for nuclear supply chain

Published: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 14:59:10 GMT

The 2020s are likely to be a time of uncertainty for global energy systems with the growing recognition that business-as-usual is unsustainable and represents a threat to humanity, but the global transition to low-carbon energy and the post-COVID recovery will be a time of opportunity for the nuclear energy sector and its supply chain, according to the 2020 edition of a World Nuclear Association report that analyses the economic value of the nuclear power industry. The report is the work of the Association's Supply Chain working group, which is chaired by Laurent-Olivier Coudeyre of EDF.

UAE's clean energy goals are not limited to solar, says energy minister

Published: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 13:04:57 GMT

The United Arab Emirates' world records in the development of solar power do not distract from an ambition to expand its use of nuclear energy to help facilitate the transition to a clean economy, UAE Minister of Energy Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui said yesterday. In his address to the 11th Clean Energy Ministerial, the minister explained the progress the UAE has made with its Energy Strategy 2050.

Project launched to digitally clone all French reactors

Published: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:20:52 GMT

Digital twins of every unit in France's fleet of nuclear power reactors are to be developed under a four-year project involving partners from academia and industry. These cloned reactors will serve as a training simulator for the new generation of operators and a simulation environment for engineering studies.

Foundation slabs completed at Akkuyu 2 reactor and turbine buildings

Published: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 11:26:03 GMT

JSC Akkuyu Nuklear has announced the completion of concrete pouring of the reactor and turbine buildings' foundation slabs at unit 2 of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant under construction in Mersin province, in southern Turkey. The 4800 MWe plant will comprise four VVER1200 reactors and is expected to meet about 10% of Turkey's electricity needs. Rosatom’s first build-own-operate venture, the USD20 billion project is based on an inter-governmental agreement signed between Russia and Turkey in May 2010.

Nuclear is environmentally friendly energy, says Russian minister

Published: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 10:53:02 GMT

Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak yesterday highlighted the contribution of the country's nuclear power sector, which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary, to the transition to low-carbon energy. During his address to the 11th Clean Energy Ministerial, Novak said the climate agenda was becoming an increasingly significant factor in changes to the wider energy industry.

UK launches Energy Transition Council for COP26

Published: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 09:29:28 GMT

The UK government has launched a COP26 Energy Transition Council to bring together leaders of the global power sector, to accelerate the transition from coal to clean power. Announcing the initiative at a Clean Energy Ministerial side event, Martin Callanan said this new partnership would "speed progress" for the next round of UN climate talks, in November 2020. Callanan, a life peer, delivered a keynote speech on behalf of COP President Designate Alok Sharma, at the CEM11 discussion Passing the Tipping Point: the next decade of clean energy cooperation held on 21 September.

Pandemic has 'humanised' energy, says World Energy Council CEO

Published: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 08:28:32 GMT

The world has entered a new era of energy transition - energy for people, planet and prosperity - and the big question facing us all is how it can emerge faster from crisis as stronger, connected energy societies, World Energy Council Secretary General and CEO Angela Wilkinson said in her address to the 11th Clean Energy Ministerial yesterday. Hosted this year by Saudi Arabia, the event was held entirely via live streaming.

Innovation is key to nuclear's future, says Rising

Published: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:44:23 GMT

Nuclear innovation is driving improvement in all parts of the industry, enhancing reliability, efficiency, economics and flexibility, World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising told the International Atomic Energy Agency's Scientific Forum 2020 today. She said innovation is accelerating the development and commercialisation of small modular reactors opening up additional applications for nuclear energy.

IAEA head calls for nuclear to have a place in all debates

Published: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:18:36 GMT

Nuclear power must be included in all debates about the clean energy transition and tackling climate change, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today at the opening session of the Agency's Scientific Forum 2020. Panellists in the first session agreed there were issues that the industry must address in order to support its messages about the benefits of nuclear energy.

World needs large and small reactors, Association says

Published: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:55:56 GMT

World Nuclear Association has called on policymakers to accelerate the development and commercialisation of small modular reactors as well as fast-tracking the deployment of large-scale reactors in a policy paper released today. The message is clear that to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, global carbon emissions must decrease rapidly, the Association says in The need for large and small nuclear, today and tomorrow. A global effort towards establishing a sustainable energy system - with the electricity sector at the heart of it - is under way, and the need for clean, abundant and affordable electricity is widely recognised, it says.

Austria fails in attempt to block Hinkley Point C

Published: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:16:34 GMT

The European Court of Justice has rejected Austria's appeal against the European Commission's 2014 decision to approve the UK's support for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, which is under construction in Somerset, England. The Court of Justice, the supreme court of the European Union in matters of EU law, agreed with the Commission that the project is in line with EU state aid rules.

Uzbekistan on track for IAEA mission this year, says energy minister

Published: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 12:43:39 GMT

Uzbekistan is "making great strides" in developing its nuclear and regulatory infrastructure in strong partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Uzbek Minister of Energy Alisher Sultanov told participants in the 64th IAEA General Conference yesterday. Speaking via video-link to the annual event in Vienna, Sultanov provided an update on the Central Asian country’s new nuclear power programme.

IAEA is there to help with every global challenge, says Grossi

Published: Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:18:40 GMT

The fight against the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the important role the International Atomic Energy Agency plays in the major crises the world faces, its director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said today in his opening address to the 64th regular session of the IAEA General Conference. These remarks were in addition to his formal statement published by the agency while he was speaking to the conference's participants, both those present at the IAEA's headquarters in Vienna and those watching via livestreaming of the event.

SKB found to be fit for safe operation of waste facilities

Published: Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:47:57 GMT

Sweden's radioactive waste management company generally meets the legal requirements for ensuring the safe operation of the central interim storage facility for used nuclear fuel (Clab) at Oskarshamn and the SFR repository for low and intermediate-level waste at Forsmark, the regulator said. The Radiation Safety Authority said Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB can therefore continue to operate the facilities until the next overall assessment in 2028.

IAEA is 'fair and firm' with Iran, says Grossi

Published: Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:41:55 GMT

The IAEA continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement, and evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities continue, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today in his opening address to the 64th regular session of IAEA General Conference.

Canadian project to focus on recycling of heavy water

Published: Mon, 21 Sep 2020 11:49:42 GMT

Ontario Power Generation's Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability has announced a collaboration agreement between Laurentis Energy Partners and BWXT Canada to develop technology that will assist in the recycling of heavy water at OPG's nuclear facilities. Canada's Candu pressurised heavy water reactors use unenriched, or "natural", uranium oxide fuel and heavy water as both the moderator to slow down neutrons in the reactor's core and as the reactor coolant.

Kansai completes upgrade work at two reactors

Published: Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:32:41 GMT

Safety improvement work to enable Mihama unit 3 and Takahama unit 1 - both in Japan's Fukui Prefecture - to operate for an additional 20 years, to 60 years, has now been completed, Kansai Electric Power Company announced today. Work needed to extend the operation of unit 2 of the Takahama plant continues.

IAEA reviews long-term safety of Sweden's Ringhals 3

Published: Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:06:19 GMT

An International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts today completed a review of the long-term operational safety of unit 3 of the Ringhals nuclear power plant in Sweden. The team assessed the plant's preparedness, organisation and programmes related to long-term operation against IAEA safety standards.

Mühleberg plant enters permanent decommissioning stage

Published: Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:25:05 GMT

The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate has announced that the operating licence of the Mühleberg nuclear power plant has been replaced with a decommissioning order issued by the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication. The single unit 373 MWe boiling water reactor began operations in 1972.

Nuclear's flexibility is the 'magic' to create a clean energy future

Published: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 12:06:33 GMT

The nuclear industry has merely scratched the surface of the flexible benefits of nuclear power, according to panellists in a conference held this week ahead of the 11th Clean Energy Ministerial. The CEM11 side-event, Flexibility in Clean Energy Systems: The Enabling Roles of Nuclear Energy, included high-level speakers from the International Energy Agency, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as government officials from Canada, the UK and the USA. Hosted by Saudi Arabia, CEM11 will take place on 22 September.

Senate inquiry recommends passing of Australian waste bill

Published: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 15:21:14 GMT

An Australian Senate committee has recommended that Parliament pass legislation that would make Napandee in South Australia the site for a low and medium-level nuclear waste facility. The Senate Standing Committee on Economics issued its final report on the provisions of the National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment (Site Specification, Community Fund and Other Measures) Bill 2020 on 14 September.

Viewpoint: Time to appoint a National Focal Point on denial of shipments

Published: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:12:44 GMT

As Member States of the International Atomic Energy Agency gather in Vienna this week for the annual General Conference, they should consider making universal the appointment of a National Focal Point on denials of shipment of radioactive materials to boost security of supply of medical isotopes, write Natanael Bruno and Serge Gorlin, co-chairs of the Transport Facilitation Working Group.

IAEA fellowship aims to bridge gender gap in the nuclear

Published: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 15:07:06 GMT

The International Atomic Energy Agency is accepting applications for its Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme. The programme, launched in March, aims to encourage young women to pursue a career in nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security, or non-proliferation.

Contacts

Jonathan Cobb

Tel: +44 20 7451 1536

press@world-nuclear.org

Virginie Ryan-Taix

Tel: +44 20 7451 1522

press@world-nuclear.org