Young Nuclear groups advocate for the reevaluation of the nuclear power shutdown in Spain
Young Nuclear groups advocate for the reevaluation of the nuclear power shutdown in Spain

Young Nuclear groups advocate for the reevaluation of the nuclear power shutdown in Spain

Over 70 representatives from European and international young nuclear networks, spanning 27 countries gathered in Madrid to challenge the planned closure of unit 1 of Almaraz nuclear power plant, among other subjects.

The goal of this meeting was to exchange insights into the nuclear sector across their countries, comprising members of the European Nuclear Society - Young Generation Network and the International Youth Nuclear Congress. The 'Salvemos Almaraz' ('Let's save Almaraz') initiative by the Spanish Youth Network garnered support from various nations.

Members of Young Nuclear in Spain during the meeting
Members of the Young Nuclear group during the meeting (Photo: Jóvenes Nucleares)

Over 70 representatives from European and international young nuclear networks came together to challenge the planned closure of unit 1 of Almaraz nuclear power plant

Almaraz powers four million homes

Spain operates seven nuclear reactors that contribute to over 20% of the country's electricity. However, adhering to its nuclear phase-out policy, the fleet is set for closure by 2035, with Almaraz 1 scheduled to cease operations by 2027. Jóvenes Nucleares, an association that represents young professionals and students in the Spanish nuclear sector, emphasized that the plant's 2000 MWe installed capacity powers four million homes, accounting for 7% of Spain's total generation and preventing the emission of 7.2 million tonnes of CO2 annually. The plant also received a € 600 million investment in maintenance and operation, earning the plant the highest recognition from the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

Foro Nuclear's allegations against the increase in the Enresa Tax
Foro Nuclear's allegations against the increase in the Enresa Tax

Foro Nuclear's allegations against the increase in the Enresa Tax

The Spanish Nuclear Industry Forum (Foro Nuclear) presented joint allegation on Monday, February 26 shared by all owners of Spanish nuclear power plants, against the draft of the Royal Decree intended to modify the fixed unit rate through which the National Radioactive Waste Company (Enresa) is financed for the management of waste, dismantling and closure of Spanish nuclear power plants.

Likewise, on Tuesday, February 27 Foro Nuclear also filed a contentious-administrative appeal against the 7th General Radioactive Waste Plan (PGRR) and another against the abandonment of the Centralized Temporary Storage Facility (ATC).

Foro Nuclear already indicated in its January 8 press release that the new PGRR implied a much higher cost than what was initially anticipated due to the new solutions adopted and the lack of consensus among the different institutions involved. Under no circumstances, indicated the press release, should these additional costs be attributed to Spanish nuclear power plants, which contribute an annual amount of approximately 450 million Euros to the Enresa Fund.

The higher cost of this new Plan, it added, represents a substantial change to the conditions under which the 2019 Protocol of Intentions Agreement was reached regarding the Enresa Fee, which is now intended to be increased by 40% through the aforementioned draft Royal Decree.

Owners of Spanish nuclear power plants contribute an annual amount of approximately 450 million Euros to the Enresa Fund for waste management and future dismantling

In response to this situation, Foro Nuclear requests in its allegations:

  • Providing more economic information justifying this increase, and eliminating the extra costs derived from the 7th General Radioactive Waste Plan, which are not attributable to nuclear power plants.
  • It is also considered appropriate to exclude from the Enresa Fund's costs the amount corresponding to the tax on the storage of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in centralized facilities, as well as the reallocation to the Enresa Fund of the collection of taxes on the production of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste resulting from nuclear energy generation and the storage of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in centralized facilities.

Foro Nuclera requests the elimination of extra costs derived from the 7th General Radioactive Waste Plan, which are not attributable to nuclear power plants

In addition to the allegations against this Enresa Fee, two contentious-administrative appeals were filed by Foro Nuclear on February 27. One of these is against the Council of Ministers' Agreement of December 27, 2023 approving the 7th General Radioactive Waste Plan; the other one is against the agreement adopting the necessary instructions for the abandonment of the project to host a Centralized Temporary Storage in the municipality of Villar de Cañas (Cuenca), urging Enresa to carry out the actions necessary for the orderly termination of the procedures initiated for its operation.

The nuclear sector demands a discussion table with the Government to reach a stable framework for nuclear power plants within the PNIEC (Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan)

Foro Nuclear sends a reminder that Spanish nuclear power plants are subject to excessive, discriminatory and sometimes redundant tax burdens that penalize their operation and management. Any additional increase in taxes and fees would compromise their economic viability at a time when nuclear power plants are essential in the energy transition due to the guarantee of supply they offer and the absence of CO2 emissions, considering delays in wind developments and pumping projects as storage.

For all these reasons, the nuclear sector demands a discussion table with the Government to reach a stable framework for nuclear power plants within the PNIEC (Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan).

The European Commission launches the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs
The European Commission launches the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs

The European Commission launches the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs

The European Commission has launched the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) along with its press release "Communication on a recommended 2040 emissions reduction target". This Alliance, which paves the way for the deployment of SMRs in Europe, is possible thanks to the European SMR pre-Partnership Steering Committee and nucleareurope's Initiative Report on SMRs.

The goal of the European Industrial Alliance is to facilitate the development of SMRs in Europe by the early 2030s. It will also support concrete SMR projects in order to accelerate their deployment. According to the Commission, this Alliance will elaborate a Strategic Action Plan in order to identify, for example:

  • Technically mature and commercially viable SMR technologies that could be supported under the Alliance.
  • Potential gaps and solutions in the European supply chain for SMRs (including fuel and raw materials).
  • Investment barriers, funding opportunities and new financial blending options to support SMR development.
  • Future needs for research on SMRs and AMRs and identify existing skills gaps along the supply chain to be addressed under the Euratom Research and Training Programme, and at national level.
Advantages Small Modular Reactors

The goal of the Alliance is to facilitate the development of SMRs in Europe by the early 2030s

"The deployment of SMRs will bring significant benefits to Europe, including greater energy sovereignty, lower CO2 emissions, new jobs and economic growth", explains Yves Desbazeille, nucleareurope Director General.

According to the Commission’s press statement, the Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors “is the latest initiative to enhance industrial competitiveness and ensure a strong EU supply chain and a skilled workforce”. Furthermore, the Communication indicates that the energy sector is expected to be fully decarbonised just after 2040 thanks to all zero and low-carbon energy solutions, including nuclear.

Sources: European Commission and nucleareurope 

 

 

Nuclear power is reaffirmed in 2023 as a source of stability, strength and competitiveness
Nuclear power is reaffirmed in 2023 as a source of stability, strength and competitiveness

Nuclear power is reaffirmed in 2023 as a source of stability, strength and competitiveness

The seven Spanish nuclear reactors in operation have once again proven that they are essential to guarantee electric supply by operating in a constant and stable manner practically 90% of the hours of the year. In 2023 the generated over 20% of the electricity consumed, and managed to prevent around 20 million tons of CO2. These numbers reflect the crucial role of nuclear energy both in the decarbonization process and in the stability of the system.

During the past year, Spanish nuclear power plants generated 57,275.01 GWh. This figure represents 20.34% of the total net electricity production. With a net installed capacity of 7,117 MW, only 5.71% of the total, nuclear managed to be the second-largest source of electricity production in Spain, according to data from Red Eléctrica analyzed by Foro Nuclear.

Spanish nuclear power plants generate over 20% of the total electricity year after year

Nuclear energy is the only technology that has been producing over 20% of the electricity in Spain for twelve consecutive years. Moreover, it is the source that has been operational for the most hours equivalent to full power, specifically 87.06% of the total hours in the year. "These data demonstrate the assurance of supply that nuclear energy offers day by day and year after year," says Ignacio Araluce, President of Foro Nuclear. "The electrical system needs to rely on stable baseload sources with constant production, such as nuclear, which adds stability, strength and firm power to the system."

Funcionamiento medio por fuente por horas INGLES

Nuclear has been the source of electricity generation that has been operative for the highest equivalent number of hours at full power.

Nuclear energy in Spain is also very competitive, and could be even more so if the fiscal burden it faces was reduced. In any case, without nuclear power electricity prices would be higher.

Nuclear electricity production accounted for 28.16% of the total emissions-free electricity generated in Spain in 2023. Only in our country do nuclear power plants prevent the emission of around 20 million tons of CO2 every year, which makes them strategic to the decarbonization process.

Produccion y potencia por fuentes INGLES

For the President of Foro Nuclear, "energy policies must be based on data and science." He points out that most European countries and many other areas in the world, with governments of different political orientations, have decided to continue the long-term operation of their reactors and/or the construction of new units, even in countries without nuclear energy.

The energy situation has changed substantially in recent years. For this reason, Foro Nuclear believes that it would be advisable to reconsider the agenda for the closure of Spanish nuclear power plants and operate them beyond their currently established timelines.

Infografías sobre producción y horas de funcionamiento por fuentes

Foro Nuclear's considerations to the 7th General Plan for Radioactive Waste
Foro Nuclear's considerations to the 7th General Plan for Radioactive Waste

Foro Nuclear's considerations to the 7th General Plan for Radioactive Waste

Regarding the approval of the Seventh General Plan for Radioactive Waste (PGGR), a necessary revision since the previous Plan was approved in 2006, Foro Nuclear makes the following considerations:

  • The solutions adopted in the new Plan entail a much higher cost than what was initially anticipated, due to the lack of consensus among the different institutions involved. Thus, under no circumstances should these additional costs be attributed to nuclear power plants.
  • The extra costs associated with this Plan represent a substantial change compared to the conditions of the 2019 agreement of the Protocol of Intent—which was subsequently included in the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (PNIEC)—between the National Radioactive Waste Company (Enresa)and the nuclear power plants for their operation. The agreement included increasing the Enresa Tax by a 20% maximum. It is worth noting that, after this increase, the entire Spanish nuclear fleet makes an annual contribution of approximately 450 million euros to the Enresa Fund.
  • The solution adopted by this Plan, with Decentralized Temporary Storage (ATD) at each of the nuclear power plants and a Deep Geological Repository (AGP) in operation by 2073, implies that nuclear sites cannot be liberated until nearly the end of the centuryThis is far from the recommendations of the European Commission to have a solution for the final management of spent fuel by the year 2050. European countries that support nuclear generation, such as France, Finland, Switzerland or Sweden, are advancing the management of their APGs.
  • Maintaining the operation of the Spanish nuclear fleet aligns with the resolution approved in the recent COP28 Summit, contributes to reducing emissions and achieving the European NetZero goal, lowers the electricity bills for families and businesses, and significantly supports financing for the Plan. The longer the nuclear power plants operate, the more funding will be available in the Enresa Fund.
  • Finally, it is important to remember that nuclear power plants are subject to excessive, sometimes redundant, discriminatory and non-homogeneous taxation, which is not comparable to the rest of technologies and highly penalizes their operation and management. For this reason, any additional tax increase would compromise their economic viability.
The world's first Generation IV nuclear power plant starts its commercial operation in China
The world's first Generation IV nuclear power plant starts its commercial operation in China

The world's first Generation IV nuclear power plant starts its commercial operation in China

China's Shidao Bay-1 nuclear power plant has achieved commercial operation, marking the world's first Generation IV plant, according to China’s National Energy Administration.

Generation IV

Generation IV reactors include  gas-cooled fast reactors (GFR), lead-cooled fast reactors (LFR), molten salt reactors (MSR), sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFR), supercritical-water-cooled reactors (SCWR), and very high-temperature reactors (VHTR). The international collaborative effort, the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), is actively engaged in research and development to bring six Generation IV nuclear reactor technologies to fruition. These designs aim for lower costs, reduced financial risks, minimal nuclear waste, and elevated levels of safety and reliability, signaling a promising future for the evolution of nuclear energy.

The world's first Generation IV nuclear power plant starts its commercial operation in China
Generations of nuclear reactors

The HTR-PM reactor

The HTR-PM (high-temperature reactor- pebble med modules) is a Chinese small modular nuclear reactor.

The unique features of the HTR-PM include the use of helium as a coolant and graphite as a moderator. The design employs heat-resistant ceramic-coated particle nuclear fuel elements, such as graphite-coated balls. It is deemed suitable for various applications, including power generation and high-temperature process heat.

Its innovative pebble-bed design incorporates heat-resistant all-ceramic-coated particle spherical nuclear fuel elements. At Shidao Bay, these fuel spheres take the form of graphite-coated balls, each approximately six centimeters in diameter and composed of around 12,000 four-layer particles dispersed in a graphite powder matrix.

The HTR-PM plant in Shandong province received approval after operating for 168 consecutive hours. Owned by China Huaneng Group, this plant is expected to have 10 units, each comprising two small HTR-PM reactors powering a 210 MW steam turbine. Construction began in 2012, and it was connected to the grid in 2021.

The world's first Generation IV nuclear power plant starts its commercial operation in China
Fuel loading at the Shidao-Bay 1 HTR-PM reactor (Photo: NucNet)

55 operating nuclear plants and 22 under construction

China currently operates 55 nuclear plants, including Shidao Bay-1, with an additional 22 plants under construction. This places China at the forefront of nuclear energy expansion, surpassing other nations in active construction projects.

Aligned with its ambitious energy goals, China's 14th Five-Year Plan aims to achieve 70 GW of installed nuclear capacity by 2025, up from 51 GW at the end of 2020—a substantial increase of over 40%. This comes after the country fell short of its previous target of 58 GW by 2020.

Source: NucNet

Poland approves six plants with Small Modular Reactors
Poland approves six plants with Small Modular Reactors

Poland approves six plants with Small Modular Reactors

Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment has taken a significant step in the pursuit of nuclear energy by issuing decisions-in-principle for the construction of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at six selected locations. The chosen technology is GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300, and the plan envisions a total of 24 reactors distributed across these sites.

In April, Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE), a key player in this initiative, had identified seven potential locations in Poland for further geological surveys aimed at hosting SMR plants based on the BWRX-300 technology, for which OSGE holds exclusive rights in the country. The shortlisted locations included Ostrołęka, Włocławek, Stawy Monowskie, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Nowa Huta, Tarnobrzeg Special Economic Zone, and Warsaw. Subsequently, OSGE submitted applications to the Ministry of Climate and Environment for decisions-in-principle for six locations, excluding Warsaw.

The Ministry has issued decisions-in-principle to authorize the construction of SMR plants based on the BWRX-300 technology

The recent decisions-in-principle granted by the ministry are crucial initial steps in the administrative process required for investments in nuclear power facilities in Poland. This milestone allows OSGE to proceed with further administrative arrangements, such as seeking a siting decision or obtaining a construction license.

Rafał Kasprów, President of the Management Board of OSGE, emphasized the significance of these decisions in the context of Poland's need for deep decarbonization. He announced this development during the Net Zero Nuclear forum at the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai, highlighting the pressing issue of carbon dioxide emissions in Poland, which currently stands at 928g CO2/kWh—the highest in Europe and among the world's highest.

These decisions are of crucial significance in the context of Poland's need for deep decarbonization

Kasprów noted the symbolic timing of the decisions and outlined their implications for Poland's energy landscape. "The decisions enable us to launch a program to build a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors in Poland to provide zero-emission, stable energy sources for the energy, industry, and heating sectors," he stated.

The fleet of SMR reactors will provide zero-emission, stable energy sources for the energy, industry and heating sectors in Poland

This move towards SMRs in Poland was set in motion in December 2021 when GE Hitachi, BWXT Canada, and Synthos Green Energy (SGE) signed a Letter of Intent to cooperate in deploying BWRX-300 SMRs. OSGE, a joint venture between chemical producers SGE and PKN Orlen, subsequently submitted an application to Poland's National Atomic Energy Agency in July of the same year for the assessment of the reactor design.

Poland approves six plants with Small Modular Reactors

It should be pointed out that the Ministry of Climate and Environment had already granted decisions-in-principle for the construction of two large nuclear power plants—one utilizing Westinghouse's AP1000 technology with a capacity of 3750 MWe in Pomerania, and the other comprising two South Korean-supplied APR1400 reactors in the Patnów-Konin region.

The evolving landscape in Poland suggests a growing commitment to nuclear energy as a vital component of the country's future energy mix.

Source: World Nuclear News

The European Council includes nuclear energy in the Net-Zero Industry Act
The European Council includes nuclear energy in the Net-Zero Industry Act

The European Council includes nuclear energy in the Net-Zero Industry Act

The European Council has taken sides on the proposed Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), intended to bolster Europe's manufacturing output in technologies needed for decarbonization. As with the European Parliament's position, issued last month, nuclear power has been included in the list of "strategic" technologies.

The NZIA , a proposal presented by the European Commission in March 2024, charts a course for Europe to generate 40% of its net-zero technologies by 2030 and concurrently secure a 25% share of the global market for these technologies. This legislative initiative, a pivotal component of the EU's Green Deal Industrial Plan, is viewed as a strategic response to the USA's Inflation Reduction Act. One of its key aims is to address the formidable challenges associated with the expansion of manufacturing capacities in the realm of net-zero technologies.

NZIA is a legislation intended to bolster Europe's manufacturing output in technologies needed for decarbonization

Nuclear technologies, although only partially incorporated into the initial proposal by the commission, play a significant role. The 10 technologies delineated in the proposal include "advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors, and related best-in-class fuels."

Nuclear technologies will play a significant role in NZIA.

Towards the end of October, heads of state and governments issued a collective call to both the European Council and the European Parliament, urging them to expeditiously reach an agreement on the Net-Zero Industry Act. The objective is to finalize this groundbreaking legislation before the conclusion of the current legislative cycle.

On November 21, the European Parliament took a stance on the proposed law, incorporating nuclear fission and fusion among the 17 technologies encompassed by the legislation.

The subsequent decision by the Council on December 7 demonstrated support for the fundamental goals of the Net-Zero Industry Act while introducing several enhancements. Notably, the Council expanded the list of strategic net-zero technologies from 8 to 10, explicitly including nuclear and sustainable alternative fuels. Importantly, it emphasized that such designations should not impede Member States' autonomy in determining their energy mix or the allocation of EU funds during the existing multiannual budget.

European Parliament incorporated nuclear fission and fusion among the 17 technologies encompassed by the legislation

The Council's decision also broadened the list of non-strategic net-zero technologies to encompass biotech climate and energy solutions, other nuclear technologies, and transformative industrial technologies for energy-intensive industries.

Under the Council's position, strategic net-zero technologies stand to benefit from streamlined permitting procedures and increased support to attract investments, all while ensuring compliance with EU and international obligations.

The next phase involves negotiations to finalize the text through talks involving the EU Parliament, European Council, and European Commission. Yves Desbazeille, the Director General of European nuclear trade body Nucleareurope, expressed his satisfaction with the Council's decision on nuclear under the Net-Zero Industry Act. He hopes that this decision will endure in the final compromise reached during negotiations in the early part of the upcoming year.

 

Source: World Nuclear News

Recognition of nuclear energy's role in COP28 deal
Recognition of nuclear energy's role in COP28 deal

Recognition of nuclear energy's role in COP28 deal

The 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) has ended in Dubai with a Global Stocktake -unanimously agreed by all parties- calling for a transitioning away from fossil fuels and an acceleration of zero- and low-emission technologies, including nuclear, World Nuclear News informs.

The text of the COP28 agreement says that the parties recognise that limiting global warming to 1.5°C "with no or limited overshoot requires deep, rapid and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions of 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 relative to the 2019 level and reaching net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050".

The agreement calls on parties to "contribute to global efforts, in a nationally determined manner, taking into account the Paris Agreement and their different national circumstances, pathways and approaches".

CP28 calls for a transitioning away from fossil fuels so as to achieve net-zero by 2050

Low-emission technologies, as nuclear

COP28 agreement calls for a transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, "in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net-zero by 2050 in keeping with the science".

In addition, it says there should be an acceleration in zero and low-emission technologies, "including, inter alia, renewables, nuclear, abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilisation and storage, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and low-carbon hydrogen production".

Transitional fuels can play a role in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security, the agreement notes.

CO2 emissions from the life cycle

The agreement says there should be an acceleration in zero and low-emission technologies including renewables, nuclear…

End of the fossil fuel era

UN Climate Change said the agreement "signals the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition, underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance".

"Whilst we didn't turn the page on the fossil fuel era in Dubai, this outcome is the beginning of the end," said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell in his closing speech. "Now all governments and businesses need to turn these pledges into real-economy outcomes, without delay."

Triplicar la energia nuclear en 2050_imagen Twitter Emmanuel Macron
Tripling nuclear energy by 2050. Image published in X (Twitter) by Emmanuel Macron

World Nuclear Association said this was the first time nuclear energy has been formally specified as one of the solutions to climate change in a COP agreement.

"This marks a 180° turn-around in the treatment of nuclear energy in the COP process, from the lone technology excluded from the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms to COP28's inclusion among a range of zero and low-emissions technologies," said World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León.

Tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050

Moreover, during COP28, 24 countries backed a Ministerial Declaration calling for the tripling of global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The heads of state, or senior officials, from Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ghana, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK and the USA signed the declaration on 2 December, with Armenia and Croatia also signing up during the summit.

The declaration says the countries recognise the need for a tripling of nuclear energy capacity to achieve "global net-zero greenhouse gas/carbon neutrality by or around mid-century and in keeping a 1.5°C limit on temperature rise within reach".

Source: World Nuclear News

22 countries sign in COP28 Climate Summit a declaration to triple nuclear energy capacity
22 countries sign in COP28 Climate Summit a declaration to triple nuclear energy capacity

22 countries sign in COP28 Climate Summit a declaration to triple nuclear energy capacity

uring the World Climate Action Summit of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate held in Dubai, 22 countries from four continents have committed to triple their installed nuclear energy by 2050.

With the joint signing of the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050, these 22 countries (Bulgaria, Canada, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States, Finland, France, Ghana, Hungary, Japan, Morocco, Moldavia, Mongolia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Sweden and Ukraine) recognize the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions/carbon neutrality by 2050 and in keeping a 1.5°C limit on temperature rise with respect to industrial levels by the end of the century.

At COP28, 22 countries from four continents have committed to triple their installed nuclear energy by 2050

Another central element in this Declaration recently signed at COP28 is the invitation to shareholders of international financial institutions to encourage the inclusion of nuclear energy in energy lending policies. 

Declarations of leaders from signing countries, as well as from IAEA General Director

The declaration includes the following common points:

  • Recognizing the key role of nuclear energy in achieving climate neutrality mid-century, keeping a 1.5°C limit on temperature rise and achieving Goal 7 from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: ensuring access to clean and affordable energy, which is key to the development of agriculture, business, communications, education, healthcare and transportation.
  • Recognizing the importance of the applications of nuclear science and technology that contribute to monitoring climate change and tackling its impacts, emphasizing the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in this regard.

The declaration signed at the Climate Summit recognizes the importance of nuclear energy as a source that benefits security of supply

  • Recognizing that nuclear energy is already the second-largest source of clean dispatchable baseload power, which benefits security of supply.
  • Recognizing that analyses from the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and World Nuclear Association show that global installed nuclear energy capacity must triple by 2050 in order to reach global net-zero emissions by the same year.
  • Recognizing that analysis from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows nuclear energy approximately tripling its global installed electrical capacity from 2020 to 2050 in the average 1.5°C scenario.

The 22 signing countries consider that the global installed nuclear energy power must triple by 2050 to achieve net zero emissions

  • Recognizing that analysis from the International Energy Agency shows nuclear power more than doubling from 2020 to 2050 in global net-zero emissions by 2050 scenarios and shows that decreasing nuclear power would make reaching net zero more difficult and costly.
Triplicar la energia nuclear en 20502050_imagen Twitter Emmanuel Macron
Triplicar la energia nuclear en 2050. (Fuente: Imagen publicada en X (antes Twitter) por Emmanuel Macron)
  • Recognizing that new nuclear technologies could occupy a small land footprint and can be sited where needed, partner well with renewable energy sources, and have additional flexibilities that support decarbonization beyond the power sector, including hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
  • Recognizing the IAEA’s activities in supporting its Member States, upon request, to include nuclear power in their national energy planning in a sustainable way that adheres to the highest standards of safety, security, and safeguards and its Atoms4NetZero initiative as an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange expertise.
  • Recognizing the importance of financing for the additional nuclear power capacity needed to keep a 1.5°C limit on temperature rise within reach.
  •  Recognizing the need for high-level political engagement to spur further action on nuclear power;

Furthermore, participants in this Declaration:

  • Commit to work together to advance a global aspirational goal of tripling nuclear energy capacity from 2020 by 2050, recognizing the different domestic circumstances of each Participant.
  • Commit to take domestic actions to ensure nuclear power plants are operated responsibly and in line with the highest standards of safety, sustainability, security, and non-proliferation, and that fuel waste is responsibly managed for the long term.

The signing countries commit to operate their reactors with the highest standards on security and sustainability, and with responsible waste management

  • Commit to mobilize investments in nuclear power, including through innovative financing mechanisms.
  •  Invite shareholders of the World Bank, international financial institutions, and regional development banks to encourage the inclusion of nuclear energy in their organizations’ energy lending policies as needed, and to actively support nuclear power when they have such a mandate, and encourage regional bodies that have the mandate to do so to consider providing financial support to nuclear energy.
  • Commit to supporting the development and construction of nuclear reactors, such as small modular reactors (SMR) and other advanced reactors for power generation as well as wider industrial applications for decarbonization, such as for hydrogen or synthetic fuels production.
Advantages Small Modular Reactors
  • Recognize the importance of promoting resilient supply chains, including of fuel, for safe and secure technologies used by nuclear power plants over their full life cycles.
  • Recognize the importance, where technically feasible and economically efficient, of extending the lifetimes of nuclear power plants that operate in line with the highest standards of safety, sustainability, security, and non-proliferation, as appropriate.
  • Commit to supporting responsible nations looking to explore new civil nuclear deployment under the highest standards of safety, sustainability, security, and non-proliferation.
  • Welcome and encourage complementary commitments from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, development banks, and financial institutions.
  • Resolve to review progress towards these commitments on an annual basis on the margins of the COP.
  • And, finally, call on other countries to join this declaration.
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