IAEA director highlights nuclear’s role in addressing climate change at International Economic Forum

Published on June 07, 2017 by Daily Energy Insider Reports


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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano discussed nuclear’s role in a low-carbon energy future at the International Economic Forum recently held in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

“Nuclear power is one of the lowest-carbon technologies for generating electricity,” Amano said at the
panel discussion, ‘The Role of Nuclear in the Green Energy Mix.’

He also emphasized the energy security provided by nuclear facilities and the importance of new types of reactors, which will produce less waste and operate more safely.

There are approximately 50 small and medium reactor concepts currently being researched and developed. Three countries are currently constructing these new reactors, Amano said. Thirty countries currently use nuclear energy and approximately 30 more are considering adding it to their generation mix.

Amano also emphasized the importance of developing nuclear expertise and a strong, independent regulatory body in countries that use nuclear power. He reaffirmed IAEA’s commitment to helping countries use nuclear power and thanked Russia’s government for its work regarding helping other nations develops these capabilities.

“We are very thankful to Russia for its support to the IAEA and its Member States,” he said. “Better trained regulators mean safer nuclear power.”

Amano also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and visited the sites of several nuclear projects currently being constructed or developed while in Russia.

Other speakers on the panel included Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Peter Szijjarto, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, Fortum Corporation President Pekka Lundmark.