In a historic move, over 30 government leaders gathered at the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels to commit to fully unlocking the potential of nuclear energy. The declaration emphasizes support for all countries, particularly emerging nuclear nations, in integrating nuclear power into their energy mixes.
The summit, jointly hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Belgium, took place next to the iconic Atomium, symbolizing a commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Leaders pledged to construct new nuclear power plants and accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors, including small modular reactors, while upholding the highest standards of safety and security.
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, underscored the critical role of nuclear power in meeting climate targets. \"Without the support of nuclear power, we have no chance to reach our climate targets on time. Renewables will play the major role in terms of electricity, especially solar supported by wind and hydropower,\" Birol stated. He emphasized the need to increase the current nuclear capacity, which accounts for less than 10 percent of global electricity generation.
In Europe, France stands out as a leader in nuclear energy, generating about two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear power. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the economic benefits, noting that \"thanks to the nuclear model, France is one of the few countries that exports its electricity, which is an opportunity.\" He also stressed the importance of reducing CO2 emissions by transitioning away from coal and gas towards nuclear and renewable energy sources.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi addressed the financial challenges facing nuclear projects. \"Financing is a key issue,\" Grossi said, adding that nuclear energy needs to be treated on a level playing field with other energy projects. He highlighted that since the COP 28 climate conference, there is a growing consensus among countries that nuclear energy is part of the solution, which could facilitate funding opportunities.
The summit concluded with a unified stance that nuclear energy, alongside renewable sources, is essential for a sustainable and secure energy future.
Reference(s):
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