EU Institutional Developments in the Nuclear Field

Richard Ivens

Senior Manager, Institutional Affairs, FORATOM

BULATOM International Nuclear Forum

Varna27 May 2009

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Presentation Overview

About FORATOM

European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF)

2nd EU Strategic Energy Review

Nuclear Safety Directive

Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP)

Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SETP)

Upcoming EU institutional developments

Conclusions

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FORATOM – who are we?

Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear energy industry in Europe

Promotes the use of nuclear energy in Europe by representing the interests of this important and multi-faceted industrial sector;

Acts as the voice of industry in energy policy discussion involving the EU institutions; and

Provides a ‘bridge’ between the industry and the institutions (Members of the European Parliament and key policy-makers in the European Commission).

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FORATOM Membership: 16 National Fora

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The Key European Nuclear Initiatives

EU Nuclear Strategy

ENSREG(previously High Level Group on

Nuclear Safety and Waste Management)

Sustainable Nuclear Energy – Technology Platform (SNE-TP)

European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF)

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ENEF Structure

Better Information & Communication

Developing an appropriate consultative process (Aarhus Convention)

Competitiveness (electricity price)

Financing models (new build)

Safety harmonisation (recommendation)

Waste disposal (repositories)

Training and educationRisks

Opportunities

Transparency

Legal roadmap (licensing harmonisation)

Non-proliferation

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ENEF Highlights

3rd Plenary meeting in Bratislava 3/4 November 2008200 high-ranking participants; Fico, Topolánek speeches; Piebalgs

statement; 3 panel discussions Safety harmonisation summary paper adopted Competitiveness SWOT analysis drafted; further work

underway on energy scenarios Legal Roadmap Sub-Group drafts licensing

harmonisation paper and legal matrix Non-Proliferation Sub-group holds 1st meeting on 23 April

2009 4th Plenary meeting in Prague 29 May 2009

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Added Value of the ENEF Process

Stakeholders’ involvement in designing stable and not politically-conditioned low-carbon energy policy with nuclear playing an important role

Dialogue beyond the nuclear community

Provides a channel to help shaping future EU nuclear legislation (safely, waste, decommissioning, licensing, transport, liability...)

The word “nuclear” is not a taboo anymore

ENEF- Prepares factual information- Promotes increased transparency- Demonstrates availability of technical solutions in areas of public

concern, such as waste

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2nd EU Strategic Energy Review

Commission Communication of 13 November 2008

Update of Illustrative Nuclear Programme (PINC)

EP Report of 26 January 2009 – Anne Laperrouze MEP“Endorses the Commission's analysis that it is important to

maintain the contribution of nuclear energy in the energy mix, and to that end to promote without delay the establishment of a harmonised regulatory and economic framework facilitating the necessary investment decisions”

Council Conclusions of 19 February 2009“EU needs to make best use of…and, in countries which choose to

do so, nuclear energy”

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EU Directive on Nuclear Safety - 1

26 Nov 2008: Commission adopted a revised proposal for an Euratom Directive setting up a Community framework for nuclear safety

January 2009: revised proposal presented by the EC to ENSREG

Proposal discussed at several meetings of the Atomic Questions Group of the Council under French and Czech Presidencies (latest text 23 April 2009)

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EU Directive on Nuclear Safety - 2

ENEF SG Harmonisation provided valuable comments on the EC proposal to EC officials and MEPs

22 April 2009: EP Hökmark report adopted by 511-116 votes; all Green amendments rejected

EESC report (Dantin) expected to be adopted 15/16 July

Final adoption of the Directive by Council expected during Swedish Presidency

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Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) Launched in September 2007 www.snetp.eu Objective: to co-ordinate all EU nuclear fission R&D to

2050 71 organisations have joined 1st General Assembly held in November 2008 Strategic Research Agenda document opened to public

consultation in Feb/Mar 09 and to be published soon Deployment Strategy drafted Education, Training & Knowledge Management Working

Group engaged on skills ‘gap analysis’

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EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SETP) EC Communication of 22 November 2007 Identified 7 low-carbon technologies, including nuclear

fission, for accelerated development by 2020 and 2050 Fission European Industrial Initiative submitted based on

2 fast neutron reactor designs with closed fuel cycle (€6-10 billion)

Member State Steering Group established Financing of demonstrators will be key; EC

Communication expected end-2009

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Upcoming EU Institutional Developments Adoption of Directive on Nuclear Safety Revision of Euratom Basic Safety Standards Potential new Waste Directive ENEF Revised Transport legislation EC Communication on SET-Plan financing Liability Non-proliferation and security European Elections 4-7 June 09 New Commission and new Energy DG for 1 Jan 2010

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Conclusions

Nuclear power has become an important part of the EU energy debate as climate change and security of supply concerns are focussing attention on energy choices

Public concerns about nuclear energy are recognised and need to be addressed openly and honestly – ENEF is one of the significant platforms for this debate

The renewed interest in nuclear energy is clearly visible in Brussels and in the EU Member States

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Thank you for your attention!