At Work 2020 Edition
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At Work 2020 edition Foreword The upcoming decade will be crucial for the energy sector Overall, during this first phase of the Harmony goal and the nuclear industry particularly, as we attempt to achieve (2016-2020), 43 reactors are expected to start in 10 decarbonization globally. Nuclear power's role in the clean countries, based on 20 different designs, and with energy transition must be agreed universally this year, to capacities ranging from 35 MWe to 1750 MWe – a ensure that the full potential of nuclear energy can be realized. reflection of the dynamic nature of our industry and our strong commitment to innovation. This brings us close 2019 has shown that the need for nuclear energy is to meeting the first milestone of the Harmony goal, to increasingly recognized globally. A broad range of expert construct an average of 10 GWe per year of new nuclear bodies have highlighted how nuclear energy is vital to capacity between 2016 and 2020. However, a greater ensure that electricity is available to all, while respecting effort is needed to build on this good start and accelerate the environment and tackling climate change. towards the goal of supplying 25% of the world’s electricity before 2050. For the first time in 18 years, the International Energy Agency published a report on nuclear energy – Nuclear The world’s nuclear reactors continued to perform Power in a Clean Energy Future. It concluded that removing excellently, with several utilities already reporting record nuclear energy from the equation would result in higher output. Five reactors, in India, Switzerland and the electricity prices and the transition to a clean energy USA, reached the milestone of 50 years of operation, system becoming drastically harder and more costly. demonstrating the ability of nuclear reactors to provide The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency’s report The Costs of reliable low-carbon electricity for much longer than Decarbonisation demonstrated that, once system costs are originally expected. In 2019 Turkey Point 3&4 in the USA taken into account, nuclear energy is amongst the most became the first reactors licensed to operate for 80 years. cost-competitive low-carbon electricity generators available. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hosted its Our Association is going from strength to strength, with first-ever conference on climate change and nuclear power, 12 new members having joined in 2019. Our Working where World Nuclear Association made the case for nuclear Groups have been even more active, publishing in a high-level plenary session alongside key UN bodies. reports on methodologies to manage materials from decommissioning, countering counterfeit items in the World Nuclear Association continues to work very closely supply chain, and the 19th edition of The Nuclear Fuel with partners globally to strengthen institutional support Report, to mention a few. for nuclear energy. During 2019 we have contributed to consultations by the European Investment Bank and the It has been yet another successful year for the World International Commission on Radiological Protection – Nuclear University, which continues to focus on the among others – ensuring that the industry’s voice is heard development of future industry leaders. The Summer loud and clear. Institute, this year held in Romania and Switzerland, brought together some of the most talented individuals in 2019 saw exciting developments which reflect the our industry to be trained and mentored by experts. WNU dynamic nature of our industry. In November, we saw the also held courses in Russia, Brazil, Turkey and China – in start-up of the world’s first floating nuclear power plant, the all, more than 600 participants took part in different WNU Akademik Lomonosov. Its reactors will supply electricity programmes over the year. and heat to Russia’s remote Chukotka region, as well as replacing a fossil-fuelled power plant. This is one of the As we concluded in our white paper, The Silent Giant: first of the new type of smaller reactors which will bring the The need for nuclear in a clean energy system, nuclear benefits of nuclear energy to new regions, smaller grids power holds the potential to herald a truly sustainable and different applications. world – enabling us to pass on a cleaner planet to future generations. For the decade ahead, World Nuclear Looking forward to 2020, a total of 13 reactors are due to Association is more focused than ever in serving our be grid-connected, a number not matched for the past 30 members’ needs and representing the interests of the years. With this, we will welcome the UAE and Belarus to global nuclear industry to ensure that the full potential of the nuclear family. our industry can be realized. Agneta Rising Kirill Komarov Director General Chairman 1 Highlights In 2019 the Association WEC joint workshop May A joint workshop is held with the World New IEA report took an active role in Energy Council (WEC) to explore shifting The Association issues perspectives on the role of nuclear in the establishing nuclear a press release to future energy system up to 2040. welcome the energy as a key publication of Reactor Database contributor to the future the IEA's report on Interactive tables and charts are Nuclear Power in a Clean Energy System. clean energy mix, incorporated into pages across the Association’s website, World Nuclear News United Nations Economic connecting with policy- and pages in the Information Library. Commission for Europe makers, government CORDEL Strategic Plan King Lee, Harmony Programme Director, takes part in an energy panel during the representatives and the The Cooperation in Reactor Design United Nations Economic Commission for Evaluation and Licensing (CORDEL) Europe (UNECE) Resource Management international nuclear Working Group publishes an outline of its Week in Geneva, providing a nuclear industry scope of activity and direction from community through our perspective to a large group of UN experts. outreach initiatives. 2019 to 2023. Clean Energy Ministerial During the Tenth Clean Energy Ministerial April meeting in Vancouver, Canada, Agneta January World Nuclear Spotlight Brazil participates in a Nuclear Innovation: Clean Working Groups 150 high-level global nuclear industry Energy Future (NICE Future) side event. 150 participants from over 60 member representatives and Brazilian decision- organizations around the world attend makers exchange information and WNU short course Working Group meetings in London to experience, and support the country’s plans The World Nuclear Industry Today short discuss activities and publications for the to develop additional nuclear capacity. course, organized by the World Nuclear year ahead. University (WNU), is held in Istanbul, Turkey with 68 participants from the nuclear industry, universities and regulatory bodies. February IEA workshop June Agneta Rising attends an International Energy Agency (IEA) workshop on nuclear Future Energy Forum power to provide input into a special IEA Agneta delivers a keynote speech in Seoul, report, Nuclear Power in a Clean Energy South Korea, during the forum on World System. Energy Industry and Korea’s Role and World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2019 participates in a panel session. Waste management report published World Nuclear Fuel Cycle (WNFC) The Waste Management & 2019, co-organized by the Association WNU Summer Institute Decommissioning Working Group publish and the Nuclear Energy Institute, takes The career development leadership Methodology to Manage Material and place in Miami, USA, with 228 global programme takes place in Romania and Waste from Nuclear Decommissioning. nuclear professionals. Ahead of the Switzerland with 82 Fellows from 39 event, 100 participants from 55 member countries. organizations attend Working Group meetings. March New Harmony branding AtomExpo A new logo, modern design elements and Agneta participates in the AtomExpo a striking colour palette are introduced opening ceremony in Moscow, Russia for the Harmony programme to highlight and the Association hosts a roundtable on the role of nuclear energy in powering our the best mix of nuclear and renewables to electric future. achieve sustainable development. Equal by 30 campaign The Association becomes a signatory of the Clean Energy Ministerial campaign putting gender equality at the heart of the global transition to a clean energy future. 2 Highlights July Cooperation agreements October WNU short course During Symposium the Association signs IAEA International Conference on new memoranda of understanding with the The World Nuclear Industry Today short Climate Change and the Role of OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and Foratom, course is held in Brasilia, Brazil with strengthening the existing relationships. Nuclear Power almost 200 participants from ministries, Agneta represents the nuclear industry regulatory agencies and embassies. alongside senior leaders from multiple Another short course is held in Nanchang, UN bodies, as well as the IEA and the China with 62 participants. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), at the first-ever IAEA conference on climate change. August Performance Report World Nuclear Performance Report 2019 highlights that the world’s nuclear power plants continue to perform excellently, but a much greater commitment from policy- 24th World Energy Congress makers is needed. Agneta moderates a panel of nuclear industry leaders who each share their Talking Points update vision of the bright future for nuclear. The The popular pocket-sized publication World Energy Council launches a report for nuclear industry communicators on the future of nuclear as part of its World Singapore International Energy Week is updated with the latest facts and Energy Scenarios 2019, to which the Agneta presents on the opportunities and messages, and covers several new topics. Association contributed. challenges in advancing nuclear adoption, and the role of nuclear power in achieving Supply Chain Working Group reports The Silent Giant a carbon-neutral future. The Asia edition The group publishes two new reports: A new white paper on the of the World Nuclear Performance Report Adapting export controls on nuclear need for nuclear in a is released.