BRUSSELS, April 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

The Future of New Nuclear Energy in Europe 

New nuclear build and life extension of the existing National Purchasing Partners (NPP) fleet in Europe are essential to achieve the main objectives of the EU energy policy: clean energy, affordable prices and security of supply.  Discussing the importance of nuclear energy for meeting the energy demands for European countries, today New Nuclear Watch Europe's (NNWE) roundtable on the Future of Nuclear Energy in Europe showcased the critical role of nuclear energy in the future of EU energy policy.

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The European Commission confirmed that nuclear energy is part of the strategic energy plan for the European Union, emphasizing that companies need a long-term plan to manage nuclear energy. Massimo Garribba, Head of Nuclear Safety and Fuel Cycle Directorate DG Energy, has agreed with the point brought in by experts that nuclear energy contributes significantly to decarbonisation and overall energy security and remains one of the most economically feasible solutions, stressing however, that it is for the member states to choose their path to meeting the GHG emission targets. 

Chair of NNWE, Tim Yeo, stated: "Nuclear energy is the only solution for Europe if clean energy, affordable prices and security of supply remain priorities for the European Union."

Head of London-based investment research firm Trusted Sources, Christopher Granville, pointed out that the main risks to the security of supply in the nuclear industry stem not from dependency on foreign fuel supply, where the present balance of market and regulatory forces ensures energy security, but rather come from underinvestment, delays and cost overruns in new build.

AREVA Representative to the EU Institutions, Baptiste Buet, referenced the need for state support as an essential element for underpinning the development of the nuclear industry in the Europe.

Dr. Kirill Komarov, First Deputy CEO of Rosatom said: "We for decades have been supplying nuclear fuel to many countries in the world and remain a reliable partner for Europe in development of its nuclear power sector. We are in favour of free and fair market competition where safety, quality and reliability always win, and maintain that nuclear should be partitioned off from the vicissitudes of geopolitics".

Notes to Editors 

New Nuclear Watch Europe (NNWE) is a newly-formed interest group which has been established to help ensure nuclear power is recognised as an important and desirable way for European governments to provide affordable, secure, low carbon energy and help to meet the long-term energy needs of their citizens.

NNWE wants to ensure that contracts for new nuclear power stations are awarded in a way which delivers the greatest benefit in the fairest manner, to local communities, as well as to consumers and national governments.

NNWE believes that new nuclear power stations in Europe should avoid excessive reliance on untested technology. It further believes as large as possible a proportion of the manufacturing and supply chain work involved in the construction of any new nuclear power stations should be located within the EU in order to maximize the opportunities for the employment, training and skills development of EU citizens.

NNWE recognises that the nuclear industry operates in an increasingly competitive, global marketplace and that it is not always possible to rely solely on home-grown talent to deliver big infrastructure projects. NNWE does, however, believe that everything possible should be done to ensure that partners from across the supply chain are drawn from within the EU and where possible, from the country where the power station is sited.

NNWE is therefore, promoting two basic principles across Europe to ensure new nuclear power stations are:

1. Safe. Nuclear technology and manufacturing must, wherever possible, be tried and tested in commercial use. Any new power stations must also be designed to withstand extreme events of nature, accidents or terrorist attacks. They must also ensure the safe and proper disposal of spent fuels in appropriate locations. Where non-EU nuclear technology is used it should be able to demonstrate a record of safe commercial use and should not lock utilities into a single nuclear fuel supplier.

2. Supportive. We believe that companies or consortia delivering nuclear projects in Europe should be good neighbours and benefit the local communities in which they operate. This means employing and investing in local people and working with local partners across the entire supply chain, not just in low-level manufacture, but particularly in R&D, engineering, technology and high-end manufacturing to benefit the domestic economy.

Membership is open to all companies and organisations active in the nuclear industry including those involved in the supply chain. For more details, visit www.newnuclearwatch.eu

SOURCE New Nuclear Watch Europe