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World Nuclear News

Bringing you the news from the worldwide nuclear energy sector, interviews with key players and easy-to-follow guides to the nuclear essentials each month. The World Nuclear News team has been reporting about nuclear power since 2007 at: https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/ WNN is supported by the World Nuclear Association and draws on its global network of contacts across the industry, academia and international agencies.

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#62
Friday · 38 min
Highlights from the 2026 World Nuclear Symposium
More than 1,300 people from 65 countries gathered in London for the 2026 World Nuclear Symposium. There was a packed programme of discussions, panels and networking, as well as a one-day summit focused on financing nuclear. The World Nuclear News team were there and have put together a report on the symposium's proceedings. People featured, in order of appearance: Sama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear Association Mark Muldowney, MD, Energy, Resources and Infrastructure, BNP Paribas Alejandro López Delgado, Managing Director, Infrastructure, La Caisse Grant Isaac, President and Chief Operating Officer, Cameco Lucia Tian, Director of Advanced Energy Technologies, Google Amir Adnani, President and CEO of Uranium Energy Corp Toru Matsuda, General Manager, Nuclear Fuel Contracts, Kansai Electric Power Co Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan Dastan Kosherbayev, Chief Strategy and International Development Officer, Kazatomprom Chris Frankland, Director of Sales and Marketing, Nuclear Fuels Corporation, General Atomics Jason Murphy, VP of Nuclear Fuels, Constellation Stephen Long, CEO, Global Laser Enrichment Tuomas Rantala, Head of Fuel Unit, TVO Cecile Evans, Chair of UFMWG and Marketing Director, Back-end and New Nuclear Activities, Orano Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Council, Togo Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, Secretary General, International Maritime Organization Mikal Bøe, CEO, Core Power John Fingleton, head of the UK's Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce Ma Yuanhua, President, State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation Polina Lion, Chief Sustainability Officer, Rosatom Tim Gitzel, President and CEO, Cameco Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Symposium Uranium companies see new chapter for the market Summit hears of surging interest in investing in nuclear projects Tips from China's 56-month nuclear construction schedule Africa must be part of global nuclear renaissance, says Togolese leader Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#61
September 18 · 15 min
Norman Foster's symposium speech putting case for nuclear
In this bonus episode, hear the full speech at World Nuclear Symposium in London from internationally renowned architect Lord Norman Foster. In it he says that nuclear's ability to provide a "vast amount of power" with "a tiny imprint" means that micro-modular power units should be being produced at "industrial-scale, like jet engines" with the potential to autonomously power new developments and move beyond the "obsolete idea of a grid". Speaking without notes, the 91-year-old multi-award-winner behind numerous iconic projects, including the HSBC building in Hong Kong, the Gherkin building in London and Apple's Californian campus, said that the 19th Century was the age of the Industrial Revolution, but the world was now moving into a new age, of "electrical revolution". He warned that, over decades, targets set to address climate change had not been met, and fossil fuels still dominated. Referring to wind and solar power, he said: "As a civilisation we hinge on the balance between the built-world and nature, so there is an imperative to get that balance right and not to threaten the very ecosystems that we survive on." He described himself as a fairly recent convert to nuclear energy - "my entry point was the nuclear battery, the micro-modular reactor - I was amazed to discover that something container-sized, with a co-generator, another similar-sized container of six metres/20 feet, could power 25 East Side blocks, a small town or community". World Nuclear Symposium, organised by World Nuclear Association, was held in London in the second week of September. There will be full reports and highlights of the event in the next edition of the World Nuclear News podcast. Key links to find out more: Foster + Partners Norman Foster Institute World Nuclear News Summit hears of surging interest in investing in nuclear projects Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#60
September 7 · 27 min
A new record year for nuclear energy, are tripling capacity plans on track?
Nuclear reactors worldwide generated 2702 TWh of electricity in 2025, beating the previous year's record of 2667 TWh, according to the newly published World Nuclear Outlook Report. The report also calculates that if all national targets for new nuclear capacity were achieved, total nuclear energy capacity would more than meet the widely-shared goal to at least triple nuclear capacity by 2050. The author of the World Nuclear Association report, Jonathan Cobb, who is senior programme lead, climate, at the association, outlines the key findings on nuclear energy plant performance and prospects. For instance, there is further evidence that the output and reliability of nuclear energy units remains high across the lifetime of reactors, increasing in many cases as units age. Looking ahead at the prospects for new nuclear capacity, he outlines how projects under construction, planned and pledged could see the current 423 GWe capacity increase to 1457 GWe by 2050 (GWe is gigawatts of electrical capacity). New capacity under construction increased to 82 GWe, with eleven reactors starting construction in 2025. The combined total of planned, proposed and potential capacity increased to 416 GWe, reducing the gap between actual projects and government targets, although around 550 GWe of currently envisaged capacity by 2050 under national targets has yet to be translated into specific project plans. As well as reviewing the progress towards individual countries' targets, the report includes a series of policy recommendations for governments, industry, financiers and regulators. These range from "establishing durable policy and investment frameworks, streamlining regulation and strengthening supply chains, to building the workforce, supporting proven reactor deployment and creating the programme-based delivery models needed". It also highlights that maintaining and extending the existing fleet is the fastest and most cost-effective way to secure low-carbon electricity. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Performance Report 2025 Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#59
August 12 · 28 min
UxC's Anna Bryndza on uranium price reporting
Anna Bryndza is Executive Vice President for International at nuclear industry market research and analysis company UxC, which plays a key role in the nuclear fuel cycle via its publications such as Ux Weekly. It also publishes the industry standard uranium spot prices. In this episode, she talks with Claire Maden about the current uranium market and the outlook for demand - and how past experience can help inform an element of caution in terms of some of the more ebullient suggestions of how much uranium will be needed in a decade or two's time. UxC's work reporting prices for uranium has a key role in the world nuclear fuel cycle and Bryndza outlines the history of the price reporting and outlines how the process works. And we also hear about the Atomic Runners group, and the growth of the social/fitness initiative. Key links to find out more: UxC World Nuclear Fuel Cycle: How best to meet growing demand? World Nuclear News Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#58
July 29 · 27 min
The first World Nuclear Investment Guide unveiled
The inaugural World Nuclear Investment Guide aims to set out how governments, industry and financial institutions can create the conditions for the huge scale of investment required if the goal of at least tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050 is to be achieved. In this episode, host Alex Hunt is joined by the lead author of the guide, World Nuclear Association's Lola Infante, and Ananya Modi, co-head of the Energy and Power Financing team at Rothschild & Co, one of the experts on the advisory board overseeing the publication. They outline the thinking behind the creation of the guide, how it brought together finance and nuclear experts, and, of course its key findings - such as a cumulative investment opportunity of $6 trillion by 2050. Lola Infante says, of the guide, "we try to set out the journey to move from today's situation, which is mostly driven by government, to a situation where nuclear is just like any other asset class, where risks are known, they're understood, they're priced and priceable, where we have large pools of private capital participating in the market, where there is liquidity in the market, where nuclear financing is not only, or predominantly, a government thing. We need early engagement from investors and lenders so they can build deals that create benchmarks and frameworks and then can be replicated”. Ananya Modi calls the guide "a real turning point", and outlines the various factors which have come together to make financial investors so focused on nuclear power. He also says that financing is a core part of the need for nuclear power to become more standardised, and discusses the next steps. They say the aim is not to provide frameworks, but to provide tools and information and case studies and best practices to "help others create standardised templates … to facilitate their decision-making processes". The first module of the guide - Roadmap to Mainstream Finance: The Path to Scale Nuclear Energy - has just been published, with the rest of the guide set to be published in September. Key links to find out more: The World Nuclear Investment Guide World Nuclear Association Rothschild & Co World Nuclear News Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#57
July 16 · 37 min
The US's historic Hanford site, and accelerated decommissioning
The Hanford site in the US has a history dating back to the 1940s when it was established as part of the Manhattan Project. Plutonium was produced at the site, with the last reactor shut down in 1971. The legacy is the Hanford Tank Farms, which is a collection of 177 underground waste storage tanks. In this episode we hear from Karthik Subramanian, Chief Engineer and Innovation Director for Hanford Tank Waste Operations Closure, about the history of the site and the clean-up work taking place. Also taking part is his Amentum colleague Mike Houghton, Vice President of the Environment Division within Energy and Environment International, with the discussion covering the need to rethink the view that sites which need decommissioning are liabilities, and instead focus on the opportunities for future uses for the sites. Linked to this is the idea of accelerated decommissioning, where these potentially valuable sites (often perfect, for instance, for new nuclear) can have their value unlocked sooner. One result of this change of outlook for sites, would be to attract likely new opportunities for private finance in the decommissioning process. Key links to find out more: The Hanford Site Amentum New lease of life for US legacy nuclear sites Heating begins at Hanford radioactive waste treatment plant World Nuclear News Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#56
June 17 · 29 min
Urenco scaling up capacity to meet rising nuclear fuel demand
Urenco's chief commercial officer Laurent Odeh joins us and outlines how the leading uranium enrichment company is expanding its operations in the US, the Netherlands and Germany to meet the growing demand for nuclear fuel. Demand which is coming from both existing units and also some of the growing numbers of advanced reactors in development. He talks about the company's history and the experience it has gained, including the decisions it had to take during the 2010s and how they fit in with what is now a record order book for Urenco's services. Odeh says that it is quicker to expand enrichment capacity than it is to build a new nuclear power plant, so is confident that enrichment services will be able to keep track with any rapid future nuclear energy capacity growth. He also gives an update on Urenco's development of LEU+ and HALEU fuel capabilities, as well as talking about the medical isotopes business that Urenco is growing, plus the decommissioning side of its work. And, in a wide-ranging discussion, Odeh says what he wants to see governments doing to help support the nuclear fuel cycle and wider nuclear energy growth in the years ahead. Key links to find out more: Urenco Urenco to build new US enrichment plant capacity World Nuclear News Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#55
May 22 · 37 min
Sustainability and the UK's low level waste repository
The UK’s Low Level Waste Repository in Cumbria in the North West of England has been operating for nearly seven decades, so probably for longer than any other such facility anywhere. During that time things have changed from a "tip and tumble" typical landfill disposal system, to today's approach with containerised waste and engineered vaults. Nuclear Waste Services' Director of Sites and Operations, Mike Pigott, and Head of Waste Services Howard Falconer, explain the history of the site, how its operations have changed and its plans for the future - including an update on the prospects for a deep geological disposal facility. The Low Level Waste Repository's role is to ensure that low-level waste generated in the UK is disposed of in a way that protects people and the environment. The repository site receives low-level solid waste from a range of customers, such as the nuclear industry, the Ministry of Defence, non-nuclear industries, educational, medical and research establishments. Legacy disposal trenches and vaults are now full and ready for permanent closure. Pigott outlines progress on the capping of the original parts of the giant site, which aims to make what began as initially a temporary disposal facility, a permanent - and environmentally safe - place for the low level waste. Falconer outlines the sustainability steps taken to reduce the amount of low level radioactive waste. For instance, reusing material from decommissioning projects in new-build constructions. The result is that there are still many decades-worth of capacity at the site. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Nuclear Waste Services Capping of UK repository progresses Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#54
May 6 · 22 min
Will Spain rethink nuclear energy phase-out plan?
A decision is expected later this year by the Spanish government on whether to award a three-year reprieve to Almaraz nuclear power plant's units 1 and 2. They are currently scheduled to be shut down in 2027 as part of the country's 2019 nuclear phase-out policy. In this episode we hear from Marta Ugalde, President of Spanish Nuclear Industry Forum, Foro Nuclear, about the current situation with nuclear energy in Spain, and what the future might hold for an industry which has a rich history stretching back more than 60 years in the country. Ugalde says that the three-year operating extension would allow time for consideration of whether there should be a more fundamental change to the phase-out plan, noting that similar reactors in the US are now licensed to operate for 80 years. She also talks about what impact last year's blackout has had on the case for nuclear energy. Spain's seven operating nuclear power reactors - Almaraz I and II, Ascó I and II, Cofrentes, Trillo and Vandellós II - generate about 20% of its electricity. Under the country's nuclear phase-out plans, agreed in 2019, four reactors are scheduled to close by the end of 2030 - including the two Almaraz ones - while the remaining three reactors will shut by 2035. The Almaraz plant currently supplies more than 7% of the electricity consumed in Spain, equivalent to 4 million homes, and employs about 4,000 people. Almaraz units I and II are pressurised water reactors with a net capacity of 1011 MWe and 1006 MWe, respectively. Unit I entered commercial operation in 1983 with unit II following the next year. The plant is owned by Iberdrola (53%), Endesa (36%), and Naturgy (11%). Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News ForoNuclear Regulator requested to report on Almaraz licence extension Nuclear Power in Spain ForoNuclear highlights role of nuclear in Spanish energy mix Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#53
April 13 · 48 min
China's nuclear energy ambitions
China has been racing ahead in terms of new nuclear capacity and new nuclear developments in recent years, and there are big plans ahead, most recently set out in the country's latest five-year plan. In this episode we take an extended look at the nuclear energy sector in China, with François Morin, Country Director for World Nuclear Association. China currently has 62 GW of generating capacity plus 38 new units under construction which will add 44 GW. There are another 17 units approved with 20 GW capacity. This means that by 2033 China will likely have 120 GW of capacity. That number looks set to continue increasing at a similar - or faster - rate over the next two decades if the aim is to be achieved of a 15% share for nuclear in the future energy mix. Morin discusses the different reactor technologies being used, as well as innovative developments in district heating, and industrial heating with reactor combinations at power plants including high temperature gas-cooled reactors. There is also the latest news about China's landmark small modular reactor, its molten salt reactor developments, nuclear fusion plans, and much more. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News First San'ao unit connected to the grid China starts construction of innovative nuclear project Chinese SMR completes non-nuclear steam start up test Construction milestone at Chinese underground laboratory Chinese molten salt reactor achieves conversion of thorium-uranium fuel Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#52
February 10 · 36 min
What should be the target time to build a new nuclear plant?
How long should it take from signing a contract to first concrete, to completion, for a new nuclear power plant? And what needs to be done to ensure the funding can be unlocked for new units? Those are just two of the topics covered by Assystem's Stéphane Aubarbier. In addition to discussing progress on France's EPR2 new nuclear programme - and the lessons from EPR projects - the deputy CEO talks about Assystem's work in a variety of different countries, including the UK and Kazakhstan. He sees a positive trend towards regulatory similarities across borders, especially with newcomer countries - who he also notes can benefit from devising efficient licensing and permitting systems. Aubarbier also covers the company's involvement with the ITER multinational fusion project and other fusion projects. His advice to young people considering their future career options is to find a subject and work that they find fun, adding: "If you have studied physics, are an engineer or a scientist, nuclear is a dream world." Key links to find out more: Assystem World Nuclear News WNE panel discusses adding value to the supply chain Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#51
Dec 23, 2025 · 47 min
What were the big nuclear energy stories of 2025? What to watch out for in 2026...
The World Nuclear News team looks back over the most read articles in 2025 - with topics including Canada's ground-breaking SMR project, the 50th World Nuclear Symposium, the eventual signing of a contract for the Czech new nuclear project, China's SMR completing cold testing, and the drone damage to Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement. Then World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León picks out the key themes of the year, noting the fast-growing interest from the financial sector in investment opportunities in nuclear, plus the declaration from energy users such as Google, Meta and Dow Chemicals to support the goal of at least tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050. With a number of projects making progress in countries without recent experience of nuclear construction there has also been a lot of focus on developing supply chains, reflected in the success of the World Nuclear Supply Chain conference held in Poland. Looking ahead to 2026 there are big set-piece events to look forward to - such as World Nuclear Symposium in London, World Nuclear Supply Chain conference in the Philippines and World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference in Monaco - with big moments also expected for the first units in Bangladesh and Turkey, a restart for Palisades as well as first concrete due to be poured for Hungary's Paks II project. Bilbao y León says the "stars are definitely aligned" for nuclear and the coming year "is the moment where the global nuclear industry really needs to be proactive and active and make the most of this opportunity". She says: "We really need to work together with our governments. We need to work together with the nuclear regulators, with the finance community, with large energy users. And we cannot leave behind civil society. We have seen major improvements in acceptance and interest in nuclear, but we need to continue to be very proactive to engage with civil society, to make sure that no question is left unanswered." Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Canada's first SMR project: How is CAD20.9 billion cost calculated? World Nuclear Association Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Reporters Claire Maden and Warwick Pipe. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#50
Dec 12, 2025 · 30 min
What happened with nuclear energy at COP30? Plus Myriad Uranium's Thomas Lamb
Nuclear energy is now widely seen as one part of the solution to reducing carbon emissions. But how much of a profile did it get at COP30 - the 30th UN Climate Change Conference, held in Belém, Brazil? Jonathan Cobb, Senior Programme Lead, Climate, for World Nuclear Association, was in Brazil for the event and in this edition he outlines what was achieved, and not achieved, at COP30 and what the significant moments were for nuclear energy. He looks ahead to the next editions of COP - in Turkey and Ethiopia - before COP33, which will be held somewhere in Southeast Asia in 2028, and which is due to be when all the National Determined Constributions will have to have been submitted, with a new global stocktake document to be agreed. Also in this edition we hear from Thomas Lamb, CEO of Myriad Uranium, who talks about the history of, and his hopes for, their Copper Mountain project in Wyoming in the USA. He also considers the impact of AI on uranium exploration. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#49
Dec 1, 2025 · 24 min
Johan Svenningsson on Sweden's ‘Nuclear 2.0’, and his World Nuclear Association role
Johan Svenningsson is Country Chairman and CEO of Uniper Sweden as well as being vice chairman and chairman-elect of World Nuclear Association. In this edition, Svenningsson talks about what has been an eventful few years for the nuclear energy sector in Sweden, and the current positive mood towards nuclear and plans for new nuclear - "it's fantastic, we're basically talking about nuclear 2.0 in Sweden", is how he puts it. We also hear about: lessons on modular construction from his previous roles in the oil and gas and the pharmaceuticals industry; life-extension work; decommissioning programmes; and how the construction of a deep geological repository is progressing. Regarding his role with World Nuclear Association, Svenningsson says nuclear is a unique global industry where people learn from each other and share knowledge: "I don't see any other industry which is that global and which is that integrated - we're all competitors, suppliers, customers but we really focus on, and want, nuclear to be a strong part of the future, greener society." His priorities for the association are the industry's need to deliver, now that the political and financial conditions are increasingly in place. He says that on the political and regulatory front "we've come a long way. I think nuclear is starting to be more on par with other technologies, but there is still a way to go. People are still talking about renewables or nuclear ... we should look at all these technologies to be fossil free". Other priorities include the need to attract and train a diverse selection of young talented people to the nuclear industry, and also to develop the supply chain as new nuclear projects begin in emerging nuclear countries, or in established countries restarting their nuclear construction programmes after decades. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Dismantling of Swedish reactors reaches milestone Sweden looks to protect nuclear investors from political U-turns Extended operation of Oskarshamn 3 to be assessed WNA Board members Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#48
Nov 12, 2025 · 43 min
Financing new nuclear energy projects
If global nuclear energy capacity is to at least triple by 2050 it is going to need huge, huge investment - estimates suggest $250billion a year for 25 years. So how will it be financed and what are the opportunities and challenges for financiers wanting to get involved? To find out more, host Alex Hunt is joined by World Nuclear Association's Lola Infante, Senior Programme Lead Economics and Finance, and David Stearns, nuclear finance advisor and consultant. They consider why nuclear projects have generally been state-financed in the past, and what the industry needs to do to ensure that it attracts private finance for future schemes, including "financing by design" where, as David puts it, "you embed and you write the financial coding at the same time that you're doing your site assessment, at the same time that you're checking your early stage regulatory approvals". There is discussion of the growing appetite by global investment banks and multilateral banks to invest in new nuclear and the challenges of structuring financing to ensure it is attractive despite the long timescales involved in planning, building and then operating a new nuclear power plant. They also provide insights into what has been learned so far from the Financing Nuclear Briefing series, which brings the nuclear industry and financiers together to discuss financing issues under Chatham House rules. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Investment decisions needed to avoid fuel cycle supply gaps 'Difficult to overstate demand from institutional investors' for nuclear Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#47
Sep 23, 2025 · 42 min
World Nuclear Fuel Report and World Nuclear Symposium
More than 1,100 people gathered in London for the 50th World Nuclear Symposium, taking part in a packed programme of discussions, panels and networking. In addition to the usual broad range of topics there were also two special full day programmes - one focused on end energy users and one on finance. The event also saw the publication of 2025's World Nuclear Fuel Report, which warned that gaps could be opening up in the supply-demand picture over the coming years and investment decisions need to be taken now to fuel the forecast increase in nuclear power capacity. The World Nuclear News team were there and have put together a series of reports on the symposium's proceedings, and the fuel report's findings. People featured, in order of appearance: Cecile Gregoire-David, Head of Uranium, Conversion and Enrichment Services, EDF Malcolm Critchley, CEO, ConverDyn Meirzhan Yussupov, CEO, Kazatomprom Michael Huebel, Director General, Euratom Supply Agency Sama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear Association Tomass Ehler, Director General for Nuclear Energy, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Czech Republic Lauren Culver, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank Loyiso Tyabashe, CEO, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Matt Firla-Cuchra, Global Lead Nuclear Energy, KPMG Victoria Kalb, Global Head ESG & Sustainability Research, UBS Mark Muldowney, Energy, Resources and Infrastructure, BNP Paribas Lee McDonough, Director General, Net Zero, Nuclear and International, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Michelle Catts, Senior Vice President Nuclear Programmes, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy Pete Bryant, CEO, World Nuclear Transport Institute Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO, EDF Vakis Ramany, Senior Vice President International Nuclear Development, EDF Leon Flexman, Corporate Affairs Director, X-energy Mesut Uzman, Chief Nuclear Officer, Fermi America Rita Baranwal, Chief Nuclear Officer, Radiant Raquel Heredia Silva, World Nuclear Association Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Investment decisions needed to avoid fuel cycle supply gaps 'Difficult to overstate demand from institutional investors' for nuclear World Nuclear Fuel Report World Nuclear Symposium Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#46
Sep 1, 2025 · 24 min
Nuclear energy sets new record for electricity generation
Nuclear reactors worldwide generated 2667 TWh of electricity in 2024, beating the previous record high of 2660 TWh which was set back in 2006, according to World Nuclear Performance Report 2025. In this edition Jonathan Cobb, author of the report, outlines the key findings of the latest edition of the annual World Nuclear Association publication, which include the dominance of Asia in terms of new reactor capacity over the past decade. There is also clear evidence that reactor performance does not decline with age - the reverse can be true with modernisation, uprates and long-term operation programmes helping capacity factors reach an average of 83% across the global fleet (the capacity factor is a percentage of what the output would have been if a reactor had operated at full capacity for every moment of a year). Jonathan, who is senior programme lead, climate, at World Nuclear Association, also considers how likely it is that the record is going to be broken again in the next few years. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Performance Report Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#45
Aug 21, 2025 · 32 min
Interviews: Amentum's Andy White plus GLE's Nima Ashkeboussi
Andy White, senior vice president of Energy and Environment International for Amentum, talks about his background and the work Amentum is doing in the UK and across Europe in the nuclear sector. Among the topics covered: * The change of attitudes which means that the future decommissioning process is included in the planning stages for new nuclear (and how that should reduce the number of 'surprises' when decommissioning plants) * The company's work on new nuclear in the UK at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C and SMRs and operations in Poland, France, the Czech Republic as well as Norway and the Netherlands * The benefits of bringing in technology, skills and people from other sectors (and countries) to help with what looks like being a forthcoming rapid expansion of new nuclear. * Plus Amentum's nuclear fusion work, including at ITER, and the general outlook for nuclear, and how financing and regulation can help industry meet the demand for new capacity We also bring you Claire Maden's conversation with Nima Ashkeboussi, vice president government relations and communications at Global Laser Enrichment, earlier this year at the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference in Canada. In it he talks about the company's laser enrichment technology, explaining how it works and the big plans the company has - including 30-years' worth of work relating to the US Department of Energy's 200,000+ tonnes of depleted uranium. GLE's plan is to re-enrich this, so cleaning up a stranded asset and in the process providing a new source of fresh fuel. GLE began a large-scale enrichment demonstration programme in May, and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission accepted for review the company's licensing application for a new facility to be built at Paducah, Kentucky earlier this month. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Amentum GLE GLE submits full application for laser enrichment facility licence Amentum, Multiconsult to assess Norway's nuclear options Amentum awarded Sizewell C project management contract Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#44
Jul 31, 2025 · 30 min
Energy lawyer Vince Zabielski + Sizewell C gets go-ahead
Nuclear energy lawyer Vince Zabielski, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, has advised on numerous nuclear energy projects across the world, including the UAE nuclear new-build programme as well as those in Turkey, Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. A mechanical engineer before moving into law, he tells host Alex Hunt about the haircut that launched his career in nuclear, his switch to the law, and explains the important role played by nuclear energy lawyers which is, he says, essentially "problem solving", for example finding a path forward on risk allocation to allow what are giant projects to go ahead. Based in Pillsbury's London office, Zabielski talks about the recent announcements from the UK about Sizewell C funding and explains the benefits of the Regulated Asset Base financing system which is being used there, rather than the Contracts for Difference system used at the Hinkley Point C project and explains why he hopes the RAB system will be adopted elsewhere in Europe. He also talks about the challenge ahead to meet the ambitious goals for future nuclear energy capacity, including how regulators can help. And he explains why he'd encourage young people to consider a career in nuclear power. Also in this episode, in the news round-up, Claire Maden reports on the UK Government taking the Final Investment Decision on Sizewell C - which will feature two EDF EPRs with a capacity of 3.2GW - and the finalising of the project shareholdings. She also outlines the key findings of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's Small Modular Reactor Dashboard, which has identified 127 different SMR designs around the world. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Sizewell C gets final go-ahead decision There are now 127 different SMR designs, finds NEA report The NEA SMR Digital Dashboard Pillsbury: Vince Zabielski Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production
#43
Jun 28, 2025 · 24 min
The World Bank can now support nuclear energy
The World Bank has announced that it is no longer going to be excluding nuclear energy-related projects from its lending criteria. In this episode you can hear how World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi outlined the logic behind the policy switch. It came as they announced their two organisations’ agreement to work together to support countries which choose new nuclear as part of their development strategies. Both are clear this was an important moment, and World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León, joins us to explain the significance of the change from the global industry’s standpoint. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Bank and IAEA backing new nuclear for development Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

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