Nuclear cooperation between United Kingdom and Sweden
The United Kingdom and Sweden have solidified a strategic partnership to strengthen their collaboration across several sectors, including security, innovation, science, energy, and climate change. This significant agreement, signed on October 13, 2023, is aimed at reinvigorating and deepening cooperation between the two nations. The partnership encompasses a wide array of sectors, with a particular emphasis on energy and nuclear technology.
The new partnership signed by the UK and Sweden has a particular emphasis on energy and nuclear technology
Under this strategic partnership, the UK and Sweden have committed to raising international ambitions on critical global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. They have set the ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and intend to work together to accelerate efforts in the energy sector to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with their national targets. This includes exploring solutions for energy security, civil nuclear energy, hydrogen applications in industrial decarbonization, energy storage, and heating and cooling systems.
United Kingdom and Sweden have set the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius
One of the notable aspects of this partnership, informs WNN, is the collaboration on civil nuclear energy and renewable technology. The agreement highlights the importance of both existing and emerging nuclear energy technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), in shaping the future of the civil nuclear sector and assisting in the journey toward net-zero emissions. The UK and Sweden will establish a dialogue to foster cooperation on civil nuclear matters, particularly advanced nuclear technologies. This dialogue will encompass the sharing of insights, experiences, and learnings related to new nuclear deployment, covering areas such as regulatory assessments, financing models, plant siting, operation, nuclear skills, and supply chains.
The UK and Sweden will establish a dialogue to foster cooperation on civil nuclear matters, particularly advanced nuclear technologies
Moreover, the partnership extends to fusion energy, where both countries will explore opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing in this field.
In recognition of the vital role of regulatory exchange in facilitating the deployment of SMRs, both the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation and Sweden's Radiation Safety Authority have committed to cooperate and exchange information on civil nuclear regulation. They also pledge to support the sharing of information and best practices in international forums such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
Another key aspect of the partnership is the intent to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear fuel supply. The UK and Sweden will explore avenues to drive divestment from Russian nuclear fuel supply, and they aim to bolster resilient nuclear fuel supply chains that benefit their respective nuclear fleets, including existing reactors and new construction projects.
The countries aim to bolster resilient fuel nuclear supply chains that benefit their respective nuclear fleets
Source: World Nuclear News
