Governments ‘must remove barriers to nuclear generation’

Nuclear generation is a competitive option to combating climate change effectively but barriers must be removed. That’s the view of Agneta Rising, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), […]

Nuclear generation is a competitive option to combating climate change effectively but barriers must be removed.

That’s the view of Agneta Rising, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), who believes barriers are preventing nuclear power from making the full contribution that is needed.

Speaking at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi this week, she said there should be a level playing field for all low carbon technologies, “valuing not only health and environmental qualities but also reliability and grid system costs”.

Ms Rising added: “Most electricity markets are failing to recognise all the benefits and full costs of different form of electricity generation.

“We look to governments to set clear and consistent energy policy which avoids nuclear taxes that distort the economics of long term operation of nuclear facilities, adopts a carbon price that recognises energy sources for their zero emission attributes, reflects system costs of intermittent generation and ensure security of supply and encourages investment in large capital low carbon electricity generation projects.”

She also believes governments must ensure “harmonised” regulatory processes provide a more internationally, consistent, efficient and predictable nuclear licensing regime and they should create an “effective safety paradigm” by focusing on increasing genuine public wellbeing while ensuring high safety standards are met.

The nuclear industry aims to provide 25% of global electricity by 2050, which would require the construction of around 1,000GW of new capacity.

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