A joint declaration has been issued calling on G7 governments to support the long-term operation of existing nuclear power plants and to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear power plants.
The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook (WEO) projects more than a doubling of nuclear generation by 2050 in its Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) scenario.
The Association is now part of a global movement that aims to create a future where all electricity consumption worldwide is served by carbon-free energy sources – every hour of every day.
A nuclear safety and security protection zone should be established immediately around ZaporizhzhIa Nuclear Power Plant, as recommended by the IAEA.
On the occasion of the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT held in New York, representatives of international and national industry associations, and their members, expressed their collective support for the NPT as a cornerstone of their industries.
Representatives of nuclear industry trade associations and professional societies have issued a statement regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
World Nuclear Association condemns the recent attacks to and from the surroundings of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine and calls on all parties to immediately cease all hostilities in the vicinity of the plant.
The 2022 edition of the World Nuclear Performance Report reviews the global nuclear industry’s record in the electricity supply and reactor construction.
Sama Bilbao y León comments on the start of construction on unit 1 of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt.
Today's decision by the European Parliament to include nuclear energy in the EU taxonomy will help the fight against climate change and accelerate progress towards a sustainable low-carbon energy system.
Nuclear has an essential part to play in delivering a clean, affordable and secure energy future according to a new IEA report
A statement on behalf of CNA, JAIF, NEI, NIA, nucleareurope and World Nuclear Association addressing the forthcoming G7 meeting.
South Korea’s environmental and energy security goals have been bolstered by the grid connection its new reactor.
The UK’s new energy security strategy, announced today, puts new nuclear build at the heart of a package of measures designed to improve energy security, provide affordable energy and deliver a net-zero energy mix
The IPCC’s report makes it clear that nuclear energy has an important role to play now and in the long-term mitigation of climate change.
Olkiluoto 3, a nuclear reactor sited in south-west Finland, started supplying electricity to the grid at 12:01 today.
A statement from World Nuclear Association on developments at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in south-eastern Ukraine,
The European Union College of Commissioners finally adopted a Complementary Delegated Act that recognizes the important contribution nuclear energy can make towards decarbonization.
The contribution nuclear generation makes to climate change mitigation is highlighted in a new edition of the World Nuclear Performance Report, produced by World Nuclear Association for COP26.
A new publication highlights how nuclear technologies contribute to addressing issues such as eliminating hunger, improving health, providing access to affordable and clean energy, generating decent work and economic growth, and mobilizing climate action.
World Nuclear Association has launched the 2021 edition of The Nuclear Fuel Report, concluding that the positive trend in nuclear generating capacity projections that began in the previous (2019) report continues.
The performance of the world’s nuclear reactors in 2020 are set out in World Nuclear Association Performance Report 2021, which was published 1 September 2021.
A new Partnership Agreement has been signed today between World Nuclear Association and Women in Nuclear Global at a virtual ceremony.
Leaders of the G7 countries have committed accelerate deployment of ‘zero emissions energy’ to achieve a decarbonized power system.
World Nuclear Association has today published a new White Paper calling upon policymakers and regulators to adopt a science-based, all-hazards risk assessment and management system that holistically evaluates the contributions of different energy sources and sets a level playing field.
Nuclear energy makes a “significant contribution” to the IEA's Net Zero Emissions scenario, and will provide an “essential foundation” in the transition to a net-zero energy system.
Ahead of the forthcoming IEA report on Net Zero, national and regional associations joined World Nuclear Association in calling for acceleration of the scale and timeframe for investment in new nuclear capacity
At the Leaders Summit on Climate a a realistic, science-based approach that addresses all sectors must be taken that uses every low-carbon technology at our disposal, including nuclear power.
The Unit 1 reactor at the Barakah plant in the United Arab Emirates has successfully transitioned to full commercial operations.
There are no scientific arguments supporting an exclusion of nuclear energy from the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, according to the leaked JRC report.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed today between World Nuclear Association and the ASEAN Centre for Energy at a virtual ceremony.
Electricity generation from nuclear power plants is the dispatchable low-carbon technology with the lowest expected costs, according to the Projected Costs of Electricity Generation 2020 report, published today by the International Energy Agency and OECD Nuclear Energy Agency.
World Nuclear Association congratulates all involved with the design, construction and commissioning of the Fuqing 5 Hualong One nuclear power reactor. The unit was connected to the grid at 00:41 local time on 27 November and has started to deliver electricity.
Belarus today joined the growing number of countries using nuclear energy to produce clean, reliable and cost-effective electricity. Unit 1 of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant supplied its first electricity to the Belarusian grid today at 12.03 pm local time.
We welcome the IEA’s recognition of the potential for nuclear energy to play an important role in the transition to a clean energy system and we strongly endorse the IEA’s call for more investment in clean energy, including nuclear energy.
The publication today of The World Nuclear Supply Chain Outlook 2040 provides a market-oriented review of the opportunities and challenges for nuclear power plants and their supply chain, including scenarios for the evolution of nuclear energy over the next two decades.
World Nuclear Association announces that Agneta Rising will be stepping down from her position at the end of October. Dr Sama Bilbao y León has been appointed as the next Director General.
Nuclear generation reached a near-record high in 2019, with output reaching 2657 TWh, enough to meet more than 10% of the world’s electricity demand, according to the World Nuclear Association Performance Report 2020, which was published today.
World Nuclear Association has released a new White Paper outlining why nuclear projects should be part of the economic and employment recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
More governments must introduce policies to support the long-term operation (LTO) of nuclear plants to maximise the environmental, employment and economic benefits they bring. This is the conclusion of a new technical position paperissued by World Nuclear Association's Long-term Operation Task Force.
This Expanded Summary will provide readers with explanations of what factors are affecting the growth of nuclear power, what new concepts were introduced in the 19th edition, and what developments the industry may require between now and 2040.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD-NEA) has today launched a series of policy briefs that examine nuclear energy’s role in the post-pandemic economic recovery.
Today the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released an energy-focussed COVID-19 recovery plan identifying actions that will “move the world towards a cleaner and more resilient future.” Investment in existing nuclear plants, new nuclear build and supporting innovation in small modular reactors are among measures proposed to support a broad range of clean energy technologies.
Nuclear energy can play a key role in the post-COVID strategic recovery by boosting economic growth. It supports - in a cost-effective manner - the development of a low-carbon, resilient electricity infrastructure and creates jobs and economic development in the long-term.
World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising said, “The IEA report is right to conclude that a coordinated policy effort will be needed to harvest opportunities including moving towards a more modern, cleaner and resilient energy sector for all.”
Barakah unit 1has received its operating license, giving the go-ahead for 60 years of operations. Agneta Rising, Director General, World Nuclear Association commented, “This is a big step towards the start-up of Barakah, which will soon supply clean and reliable electricity to the UAE for generations to come.”
The increase in nuclear generation globally seen in 2019 helped avoid an additional 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (50 MtCO2), according to data released yesterday by the IEA. "The challenge of climate change is so immense that we cannot afford to exclude low-carbon technologies" according to International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director, Fatih Birol.
The two barge-mounted reactors onboard Akademik Lomonosov have started providing electricity to the coastal town of Pevek in Russia. This marks the official start of operations for the world’s first small modular reactors and makes today a historic one for the global nuclear industry.
An inquiry has recommended lifting the ban in Australia on the use of the most modern nuclear power plants and new designs under development in a report issued today.
The vital importance of nuclear technologies was a focus of attention at a UN-organized side event held today as part of the COP 25 climate change conference in Madrid.
Today Rafael Mariano Grossi of Argentina was appointed new Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The World Nuclear Performance Report 2019 Asia Edition shows that nuclear energy in Asia is meeting the growing demand for electricity, whilst helping to tackle air pollution and climate change. The report, published by World Nuclear Association, was launched on 30 October 2019 at Singapore International Energy Week.
Today at the International Conference on Climate Change and the Role of Nuclear Power Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association said “The nuclear industry is committed to delivering what it needs to do to save our planet from climate change.”
World Nuclear Association welcomes the decision of the European Council not to exclude nuclear projects from being eligible for sustainable finance grants.
As world leaders meet at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York this week, and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publish new reports, Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association, stresses that nuclear power is the “unsung hero” in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
If we are going to stand any chance of combatting climate change and keeping global temperature increases to 1.5oC and at the same time provide reliable and affordable electricity to all that will need it, we are going to need nuclear energy.
The importance of nuclear energy for the transition towards a clean and affordable energy system is being highlighted at the 24th World Energy Congress, taking place this week in Abu Dhabi.
World Nuclear Association has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OECD Nuclear Agency during the World Nuclear Association Symposium in London.
World Nuclear Association’s projections for nuclear generating capacity growth have been revised upwards for the first time in eight years, following the introduction of more favourable policies in a number of countries.
The latest edition of the World Nuclear Performance Report has been published. The world’s nuclear reactors made a growing contribution to supplying clean and reliable electricity in 2018.
Worldwide nuclear generation in 2018 increased for the sixth successive year, reaching 2563 TWh. This is more than 10% of global electricity demand.
Action is needed to expand the share of nuclear generation in the clean energy future. We will need much more nuclear energy if we are to deliver on environmental, economic and sustainable development objectives.
Without action to provide more support for nuclear power, global efforts to transition to a cleaner energy system will become drastically harder and more costly.
Responding to the CCC's report proposing net-zero emissions in the UK, Agneta Rising said that it was clear that we will need to make use of all options to tackle climate change effectively; without increased nuclear we will fail
Politicians and nuclear energy leaders have highlighted how excellent nuclear performance is contributing to meeting global energy and climate goals, during World Nuclear Spotlight Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro.
A panel of energy experts have called on negotiators to enable all low carbon technologies to fulfil their full potential.
Agneta Rising, World Nuclear Association Director General, will be speaking on 6 December at a COP24 side-event organised by the Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future initiative, which was established in 2018 at the ninth Clean Energy Ministerial meeting.
Wholesale electricity prices across Europe have recorded an unprecedented increase between 2017 and 2018, and could have a significant negative impact on European economies. Interestingly, in France, a country where nuclear accounts for a major share of the energy mix, the rise in prices has been lower (+32%). This compares to Germany - currently phasing out nuclear - where the rise has been significantly higher (+87%). Having nuclear as part of the energy mix helps to stabilise electricity prices as its fuel source, uranium, is abundantly available and its price has little impact on production costs.
Poland plans to develop nuclear energy as part of its future energy system, according to Krzysztof Tchórzewski, the Polish Minister of Energy, because it is low-cost, low-carbon and creates high-value jobs. The Minister was speaking at the inaugural World Nuclear Spotlight Poland conference in Warsaw – a high-level event which brought together Polish decision makers and global nuclear industry leaders and stakeholders.
Nuclear generation helps progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, according to comments made by Agneta Rising, World Nuclear Association Director General, during the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) Ministerial Conference of the Ninth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development.
The strong growth of nuclear generation in China is one of the features discussed in the World Nuclear Performance Report 2018 – Asia Edition, which wa launched at the Singapore International Energy Week conference.
The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) and World Nuclear Association have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as the basis of a partnership that aims to enhance the performance of nuclear power plants worldwide.
The latest IPCC report makes clear the potential benefits of limiting climate change to 1.5C, the urgency for action to achieve this and the necessity of nuclear energy as an important part of an effective global response.
Nuclear generation stands ready to help the world take the low carbon path. Those countries that have successfully decarbonised already have used nuclear energy. There is no sustainable energy future without nuclear.
The performance of nuclear power plants worldwide will be highlighted at the World Nuclear Association Symposium, which will be held from 5-7 September. The conference, which will bring together nearly 600 nuclear leaders and experts, will see the full release of the World Nuclear Performance Report 2018.
The World Nuclear Performance Report 2018 has been published. Worldwide nuclear generation in 2017 increased for the fifth successive year, reaching 2,506 TWh. Nuclear power reactor availability improved, achieving a mean average capacity factor of 81%.
The world’s first AP1000 power reactor (developed by US-based Westinghouse) was connected to the grid at Sanmen in China and generated electricity for the first time on Saturday 30th June. This came a day after the world’s first EPR (developed by France’s Framatome) was connected at Taishan, also in China. The official start of electricity production from these two advanced reactors marks the beginning of a new chapter for the global nuclear industry. It is also a proud day for China’s burgeoning nuclear sector and testimony to the rich benefits of international cooperation in nuclear innovation.
World Nuclear Association congratulates all involved with the Taishan 1 EPR nuclear power reactor project on the announcement that the reactor has been connected to the grid and is starting to deliver electricity.
The UAE Organising Committee of the 24th World Energy Congress and World Nuclear Association announced today the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), focussed on endorsing progression in energy transition and supporting nuclear technology during the 24th World Energy Congress to take place in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
Energy ministers today endorsed nuclear energy’s role in a future clean energy mix at an initiative launched during the Clean Energy Ministerial in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future (NICE Future) initiative will facilitate dialogue and cooperation between all clean energy communities, including nuclear and renewables.
A surge in new nuclear plants coming online is helping reduce emissions and meet electricity demand, but much more is needed to achieve a sustainable energy mix, said Agneta Rising, speaking on the opening day of Atomexpo 2018.
A ceremony has marked the completion of construction of unit 1 at Barakah , the first nuclear power plant to be constructed in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association said, “This is an important step towards start-up of the first reactor at Barakah. The UAE will soon benefit from the reliable supply of clean electricity that Barakah will produce.”
"Asia needs nuclear energy to meet its economic, energy and environmental goals" according to Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association, speaking at the Sustainable Energy Technology Asia 2018 conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
Proven nuclear technology can help Indonesia meet its economic, energy and environmental goals,. according to Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association, who was speaking at the opening of World Nuclear Spotlight Indonesia 2018.
The time is right for Bulgaria to take the lead and make a strong commitment to a new nuclear build programme.
The World Bank has an outdated policy that doesn’t make the most of all clean technologies, especially the services nuclear gives to society and the electricity system.
The World Energy Outlook 2017 report, published today by the International Energy Agency, foresees a substantially expanded role for nuclear energy if the world is to meet the challenges of people’s development needs, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.
Comments made by Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association, at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ministerial Conference “Nuclear Power in the 21st Century”, being held in Abu Dhabi 30 October – 1 November.
World Nuclear Association launches a special update to its 2017 World Nuclear Performance Report focusing on developments in Asia.
A Citizens’ Jury convened in July to determine the future of two reactor projects in South Korea1 has concluded that construction of Shin Kori units 5 and 6 should continue.
General construction work has begun at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant site in Turkey. It is a positive sign that reactor construction will indeed commence in 2018 - putting Turkey on track to be the next new country to introduce nuclear energy into its mix after the UAE and Belarus.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Nuclear Association have agreed formalised practical arrangements for cooperation between them on nuclear energy, nuclear power plant life cycle and the fuel cycle.
World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising today called on governments, expert bodies and the nuclear industry to do more to ensure that nuclear energy can make the full contribution that society requires to meet its future clean energy needs.
On 16 August half of Taiwan was affected by a blackout – some 6.6 million households and businesses – after an unplanned shutdown at a gas plant took the country’s fragile electricity system over the edge. Yet the government is standing by its policy of phasing out nuclear by 2025 and using existing reactors as little as possible.
More than 9 GWe of new nuclear capacity came online in 2016, the largest annual increase for over 25 years and global nuclear generation rose for the fourth successive year. However, if nuclear is going to make a full contribution to future clean electricity supply, action is needed in three key areas: establishing a level playing field in electricity markets; building harmonized regulatory processes; and creating an effective safety paradigm.
These are the conclusions of the World Nuclear Performance Report 2017, which is published today.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for nuclear energy to receive “clear and consistent policy support for existing and new capacity, including clean energy incentive schemes for development of nuclear alongside other clean forms of energy.”
Barakah Unit 1, the first nuclear reactor in the United Arab Emirates, has completed initial construction activities. World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising said; “The completion of initial construction of the first nuclear reactor at Barakah is a great achievement. I commend the efforts of all those involved in achieving this milestone.”
World Nuclear Association is pleased to announce new appointments to our board of management, George Borovas, Shearman & Sterling and Guillaume Dureau, AREVA. Furthermore, Kirill Komarov, ROSATOM has been elected to the position of Vice Chairman.
The UK must ensure that any actions taken regarding its membership of the Euratom treaty as part of the Brexit process includes a smooth transition for its current nuclear industry and allows the UK leadership as an international partner in new nuclear development to continue.
Nuclear power is an economic source of electricity generation, combining reliability, low greenhouse gas emissions and long-term cost competitiveness. The operating costs of existing plants are usually very competitive and these plants function well with a high degree of predictability. These are the conclusions of a new report issued by the World Nuclear Association.
The Future Energy Jobs Bill has passed through the Senate of Illinois, United States, with measures to support the continued operation of nuclear power plants as part of a package to support clean energy in the region.
On Sunday the 27th of November, the Swiss public voted in favour of letting the country’s fleet of nuclear power reactors operate for longer than 45 years, based on regulatory approval.
Agneta Rising, Director General of the World Nuclear Association has called on parties to make it clear that nuclear energy will be part of their response to succeed in action on climate change.
Nuclear energy is an important pillar of a future energy system aimed at meeting the world’s growing energy needs and avoiding the worst effects of climate change, according to a new report published today by the International Energy Agency.
The Paris Agreement will require ambitious action across all sectors. A priority should be the decarbonisation of the electricity supply sector, using nuclear energy in harmony with other forms of low carbon generation.
World Nuclear Association launches a special update to its 2016 World Nuclear Performance Report focusing on developments in Asia.
The ratification of the Paris Agreement commits governments to making significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to limit the effects of climate change. This can only happen if we use all sources of low-carbon electricity, including nuclear energy, according to Agneta Rising, Director General of the World Nuclear Association
Agneta Rising said, "Today's annoucement is good news for nuclear energy in the UK and Europe. The Hinkley Point C project demonstrates the value of international cooperation in new nuclear build"
EDF have announced the go-ahead for Hinkley Point C, a nuclear power plant that will generate 7% of the UK’s electricity, avoid 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year and create over 25,000 new employment opportunities.
World Nuclear Association launches its report providing key metrics on nuclear power plant performance and reviewing recent developments in the global nuclear industry.
Sweden has announced it will phase out its nuclear capacity tax. Agneta Rising, Director General, World Nuclear Association said, “It is excellent news that this tax will be removed, but it should never have been implemented in such a way as to distort the market and put at risk the operation of Sweden’s nuclear power plants, which provide affordable and reliable electricity and form a vital part of its low carbon generation mix.”
Well-performing generation plant provide valuable jobs, secure electricity supplies and help meet our clean air environmental objectives. It is vital that energy policy reforms are enacted to prevent further closures.
Improvements in nuclear construction times are now making climate goals more achievable than previously thought, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency.
The report states that “policy support is needed to encourage long-term operation of the existing fleet and construction of new plants, given their vital contribution to GHG emissions reductions, as well as their contribution to energy security."
The report of the South Australia Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission has fundamentally changed the nature of the global nuclear waste discourse.
The World Nuclear Association supports the Tentative Findings of the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission that: “South Australia can safely increase its participation in nuclear activities and, by doing so, significantly improve the economic welfare of the South Australian community.”
The COP 21 agreement has given a very strong signal that future investment in the energy sector should move rapidly towards low carbon technologies.
"The nuclear industry stands ready to deliver more to help tackle climate change. Nuclear generation could provide 25% of the world's electricity with low carbon generation by having 1000 gigawatts of new build by 2050."
The vital role of nuclear energy in combating climate change is being taken for granted by too many governments and energy experts. This silence on nuclear energy in discussions on climate change is misleading the public.
The COP 21 negotiations in Paris should reach an agreement that encourages a transition to a low carbon society by making better use of nuclear energy alongside other mitigation options.
Hinkley Point C will be the first of a series of projects bringing the world’s best new nuclear technology to the UK to cut carbon emissions, provide reliable electricity and secure affordable electricity for the future.
Global nuclear generation capacity is set to grow from today's 379 GWe to 552 GWe by 2035, according to the reference scenario of the World Nuclear Association Nuclear Fuel Report.
"Today Japan has reminded the world that it is committed to creating a better future" - said Agneta Rising, Director General of the World Nuclear Association in response to the restart of the Sendai unit 1 nuclear reactor.
"It is one thing to have an opinion, it is quite another to try and force your opinion on someone else." - said Agneta Rising Director General of the World Nuclear Association in response to the action launched today by the Austrian government against the UK nuclear programme.
Governments must take action to ensure that the lights will stay on decades into the future and policies are needed to steer us to an environmentally sound energy mix.
The nuclear industry must stand ready to meet the challenge of supplying the growing demand for low carbon electricity that must result from the forthcoming COP 21 climate change negotiations in Paris.
World Nuclear Association applauds news of a Royal Commission to assess whether South Australia should expand the role of nuclear energy, as announced on Sunday (8 February) by state Premier Jay Weatherill. This will lead to an objective assessment of the facts about nuclear energy.
The new Nuclear Energy Technology Roadmap published by the IEA and OECD NEA says nuclear energy allows countries to build scalable, efficient and long-term power sources that can serve as a base to underpin other forms of low-carbon generation. The report says nuclear global capacity must more than double by 2050, with nuclear supplying 17% of global electricity generation by then, to meet the IEA 2 Degree Scenario for the most effective and efficient means of limiting global temperature rise.
Continuing the strong cooperation between Chinese and international nuclear companies will ensure that China can play its part in the global nuclear supply chain. WNA Director General Agneta Rising said: "We must build on the international partnerships forged in developing China's nuclear generation programme so that China can play its part in delivering the global expansion of clean and reliable nuclear energy the world so clearly needs."