WNA outlines vision for future of electricity in Brussels

Brussels, 13 December 2017: Yesterday, the World Nuclear Association (WNA) presented its Harmony programme to FORATOM members.  Harmony is the nuclear industry vision for the future of electricity and how nuclear energy can help the world achieve its 2° climate target.

According to WNA, nuclear power capacity will need to grow significantly around the world in order to meet the International Energy Agency’s 2° scenario.  “By 2050, nuclear energy must account for 25% of energy generation if we are to meet our climate targets.  With nuclear making up 11% of generation in 2014, an extra 1000 GW in nuclear capacity will need to be built by 2050” states Agneta Rising, WNA Director General. “However, meeting this goal will not be easy”, she adds.

One of the actions being undertaken by the Harmony programme is an evaluation of current barriers and recommended solutions. These can be summarised as follows:

• Electricity market failures: Ensure a level playing field for all low carbon energy sources including nuclear.
• Regulatory barriers: Harmonise international regulatory processes to ensure consistency, efficiency and predictability.
• Misconception of risks and benefits: Address public concerns and put the health, environmental and safety risks of nuclear in perspective compared to other power generation technologies.

“FORATOM very much welcomes the work being undertaken by the WNA. Indeed, Europe faces many of the same challenges, and opportunities, as other regions”, underlines Yves Desbazeille, FORATOM Director General.  “Globally, the EU is the region which emits the lowest amount of CO₂ emissions from electricity generation thanks to nuclear energy. We look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation with the WNA and making sure our positive messages about the real value of nuclear energy resonate across Europe”.

For more information about the Harmony programme check out their website!

About us: The European Atomic Forum (FORATOM) is the Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear energy industry in Europe. The membership of FORATOM is made up of 15 national nuclear associations and through these associations, FORATOM represents nearly 800 European companies working in the industry and supporting around 800,000 jobs.

For more information, please contact Jessica Johnson: jessica.johnson@foratom.org.