At Work 2021 edition Foreword 2020 is a year unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon, for published a white paper, The need for large and small a number of reasons. All of us have been impacted by nuclear, today and tomorrow, describing how both large- the pandemic in one way or another, and we have been scale nuclear power plants and small modular reactors forced to reassess our priorities. The ongoing crisis can play a significant role in the clean energy transition. showcased just how important affordable and reliable Towards the end of 2020, the Association also began electricity is, both hallmarks of the nuclear industry. As we its preparation for COP26 in earnest, meeting with UK look ahead at the challenges of the post-COVID economic government ministers to reinforce the importance of recovery, of achieving greater climate ambitions at COP26 nuclear energy in any deep decarbonization efforts. and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, nuclear energy is perhaps more important than ever before. The World Nuclear University became virtual in 2020 to Association will continue to devote every effort towards continue its mission to train the future leaders of the ensuring that the industry’s voice is heard loud and clear. nuclear industry. Two World Nuclear Industry Today courses were hosted, one in China and one in Brazil, The pandemic recovery has inevitably been an important with over 1400 participants. Furthermore, three Extended aspect of the Association’s work for the past year. We Leadership Development workshops were hosted, joined forces with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency attracting more than 350 participants. to explore how nuclear energy can aid the recovery. This resulted in four briefs – jobs creation, cost-effective During the course of the year, the Association has decarbonization, financing and building resiliency with welcomed new members covering diverse sectors, from nuclear energy – highlighting the multifaceted role that operations to waste management and instrumentation. nuclear energy can and should play in helping the world Our Working Groups have remained active through to get back on its feet. In July we published Building a virtual meetings resulting in the publication of several Stronger Tomorrow: Nuclear power in the post-pandemic reports on the enduring value of nuclear energy assets, world, a white paper setting out how nuclear energy can transportation of uranium, harmonization of reactor design play a central role in post-COVID recovery efforts by and licensing, and safety classifications. boosting economic growth in the short term, whilst also supporting, in a cost-effective manner, the development of We have also continued to build and strengthen a low-carbon, resilient and affordable energy infrastructure. collaborations, be it with traditional partners such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the OECD- Despite the pandemic, six reactors were connected to the Nuclear Energy Agency, or newfound ones, such as the grid in 2020, including two in newcomer countries – Belarus United Nations Economic Commission on Europe, the (Ostrovets-1) and the United Arab Emirates (Barakah-1) International Monetary Fund and the ASEAN Centre for – and construction started on a further six. Every reactor Energy. Our ability to extend our reach to new audiences constructed gets us closer to fulfilling our goals of global and new channels in 2020, despite difficult conditions, decarbonization and economic development. demonstrates the strength of our industry. The Association continued to be at the forefront of nuclear In September, it was announced that Agneta Rising, conversations around the world, representing the industry Director General since 2013, would be stepping down. at events throughout the year. At the inaugural World Many of us have admired Agneta and her stalwart Nuclear Association Strategic eForum in September, efforts to further the nuclear cause for many decades. attended by some 1350 delegates, the global industry We are grateful for her service to the Association and its came together virtually to discuss pressing issues such members, and the broader nuclear industry. as how to maximize the benefits of nuclear and drive investments towards nuclear projects. Looking ahead, the Association will continue to represent the interests of the nuclear industry in the global arena, Beyond the pandemic response, the Association has ensuring that nuclear power continues to play an integral continued to engage on issues of global impact, most role now and in the future. As the global community comes notably the European Union’s Sustainable Financing together to work towards delivering on our ambitions Taxonomy, the end point of which is critical to ensure that to combat climate change and achieve sustainable nuclear energy shares the same access to affordable development, it is crucial that we stand ready to do our financing as other low-carbon energy sources. We bit in building a stronger and cleaner tomorrow, today. Sama Bilbao y León Philippe Knoche Director General Chairman 3 Highlights In the midst of the March June August The World Nuclear Supply Chain: November Outlook 2040 report launch event International Youth Nuclear Congress Collaboration with the OECD-NEA World Nuclear Performance UNECE workshops on challenges posed by The Association holds a virtual launch The Association participates in The Association collaborates with the Report 2020 carbon neutrality event to present its new report, which the global pandemic, the Congress in Sydney, Australia, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) on The Association releases the World The Association participates in a provides a market-oriented review of the presenting the Harmony programme and four policy briefs examining the role of Nuclear Performance Report 2020, series of workshops as part of the opportunities and challenges for nuclear the Association, with leading discussions on uranium mining. nuclear energy in aiding the economic providing details on power generation 16th Session of the Group of Experts power plants and their supply chain. the continued support recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 and construction achievements for the on Cleaner Electricity Systems on the Response to the global pandemic pandemic and Agneta Rising takes part in year 2019. theme of Pursuing Carbon Neutrality White paper: The Need for Large of its members, The Secretariat moves to remote a series of webinars presenting the briefs. to Advance the Energy Transition, and Small Reactors, Today and working, ensuring continuity of all organized by UNECE. was able to take services. The Association provides up- Expanded Summary of the Nuclear Tomorrow important steps to to-date information about the industry’s Fuel Report 2019 The Association releases a new policy Power & Electricity World Africa 2020 response to the COVID-19 pandemic paper that sets out the harmonious For the first time The Association participates in the ensure nuclear energy via a new information page and a new case for large-scale nuclear and small ever, the virtual conference and underlines the section in World Nuclear News (WNN). Association modular reactors (SMRs). is recognized as a importance of developing countries releases adopting low-carbon electricity the Expanded UNECE Expert Group on Resource uniquely clean, reliable systems to meet their increased Summary that outlines the Appeal to Australian Management demand for energy. and resilient source of main conclusions of the 19th edition of parliamentary inquiry The Association contributes to the The Nuclear Fuel Report and explains the The Association appears before session on the role of nuclear energy electricity. Here are the key issues facing the nuclear industry. The World Nuclear Industry Today a parliamentary inquiry in Victoria, resources in sustainable development, short course in Brazil key achievements for Australia, aimed at lifting the nuclear as part of the United Nations Economic WNU holds The World Nuclear Long-term operation position paper prohibition in the state. Commission for Europe (UNECE) the year. The Capacity Optimization’s Long- Energy Week 2020. Industry Today course in Brazil with the April Term Operation Task Force releases a WNU short course Association for the Development of paper entitled The Enduring Value of Nuclear Activities (ABDAN). Working Group meetings The World Nuclear Industry Today course IAEA’s Scientific Forum January Nuclear Energy Assets, which describes All Working Group meetings are held takes place virtually in collaboration with Agneta Rising participates in the IAEA's Working Group meetings the benefits of long-term operation of virtually due to the pandemic. Tsinghua University and gathers 1200 Scientific Forum 2020 and discusses nuclear power plants, and the main 185 participants from 82 organizations participants, the highest number ever the role of innovation in the nuclear December considerations that need to be taken attend Working Group meetings in Response to the European recorded for the course. industry. EU Sustainable Financing London to discuss activities and Commission’s 2030 Target Plan into account to ensure the longevity of nuclear operations in the years ahead. Taxonomy meeting publications for the year ahead. The Association submits a response In collaboration with FORATOM, the to the public consultation, highlighting October Association holds a virtual meeting that nuclear energy’s role in ensuring that September presents a brief on the status and global