14 Feb (NucNet): The debate about nuclear power in the coming years will be dominated in Europe by the “open questions” of whether there should be a legal framework at EU level for safety, licensing and design clearance, the PIME 2012 conference in Warsaw heard today.
Jean-Pol Poncelet, secretary-general of the European Nuclear Society and director-general of the Brussels-based industry group Foratom, said nuclear energy remains a “trump card” in the EU energy mix because it is a low-carbon energy option that can help towards security of supply.
But he said questions about EU-level legal frameworks for the nuclear industry would need to be addressed.
He also called for continued efforts towards a pan-European energy market because “this will have an effect on investment”.
Mr Poncelet said the Energy Roadmap 2050, released by the European Commission on 15 December 2011, “implies a consolidation and strengthening of the nuclear contribution” because it sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80-95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Mr Poncelet pointed out that there are 64 nuclear units under construction worldwide and 16 of those are being built in Europe, including Russia. He said there is also a focus on long-term operation of existing plants, with worldwide average operational lifetimes now at 60 years.
