The French Ministry for Energy Transition and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) will hold an international conference convening Ministers and industry leaders from over two dozen countries to explore how to bring new nuclear energy capacity on line quickly to help governments to achieve their net zero targets. The conference Roadmaps to New Nuclear will be held on 28-29 September, 2023 in Paris.
The announcement follows a meeting between the French Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher and NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV in Paris, where the two leaders discussed the global nuclear energy outlook in a context where many countries are currently reviewing their energy priorities, and seeking pathways to net zero that maintain energy security and foster economic growth.
To achieve net zero by 2050, NEA projections show that total nuclear energy capacity will need to triple by 2050. Many countries are moving forward to expand their nuclear energy capacity and, therefore, nuclear new build has become a top priority in several NEA countries. Most face significant challenges in regards to evolving policy, industrial and regulatory contexts.
French Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher and NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, I in Paris on July 17 discussing the global nuclear energy outlook and plans for the joint international conference in September, 2023.
French Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher said: “For the first time, more than 20 OECD NEA countries will convene in Paris, a few weeks before COP28, to send a strong message: nuclear power is essential to achieve carbon neutrality and fight against global warming, and many countries are ready to commit to it, like France, which is reviving its sector with vigour.”
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV, said: “Reducing global carbon emissions to achieve net zero by 2050 is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time. NEA analysis shows that advanced nuclear energy, alongside renewables and emerging technologies such as hydrogen, provides a realistic and practical path to meet this goal while maintaining energy security and fostering economic expansion. There is much work ahead and the NEA is pleased to work with the Government of France to advance the international collaboration needed to realise this vision.”
In the lead up to COP28, the outcomes of the Paris Roadmaps conference will set the stage for joint, focused action by policymakers, utilities and the overall private sector.
Event speakers and participants will be announced as they are confirmed.
