The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of nuclear energy technologies, both those that are available now as well as those that are under development and that are expected to be available commercially in the near future. Information is provided on the role that innovative new reactor technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), could play in complementing larger reactor technologies and helping to open up new markets and applications for nuclear – such as district heating, high-temperature process heat and hydrogen production.
Information is also provided on a range of topical areas including nuclear costs, socioeconomic impacts, health and environmental concerns, key innovations
and enabling policies.
This document supports implementation of the project called “Enhancing understanding of the implications and opportunities of moving to carbon neutrality in the UNECE region across the power and energy intensive industries by 2050” and reflects findings from the Workshop on the Role of Nuclear Energy to Attain Carbon Neutrality in the UNECE region held on 23 November 2020, and the Subregional Workshop on Attaining Carbon Neutrality in the UNECE region held on 24 November 2020.
This briefing was prepared by the UNECE Task Force on Carbon Neutrality and a dedicated team of high-level international experts that provided quality control, advice, and validation of the findings. The project team especially wishes to thank:
Michel Berthelemy, Chrissy Borskey, Giula Bisconti, Hannah Bronwin, Vladimir Budinsky, Philippe Costes, Antoine Herzog,
David Hess, Thomas Gibon, Kirsten Ketilson, Zuzana Krejcirikova, King Lee, Polina Lion, James Murphy, Henri Paillere,
Jozef Sobolewski, Antonio Vaya Soler and Harikrishnan Tulsidas for their expertise and continuous support. Iva Brkic,
Oleg Dzioubinski and Scott Foster of the UNECE Sustainable Energy Division contributed to this report through guidance,
comments, and oversight.
The report concluded that nuclear power is an important source of low-carbon electricity and heat that contributes to attaining carbon neutrality. It has played a major role in avoiding carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to date. Decarbonizing energy is a significant undertaking that requires the use of all available low-carbon technologies. Analyses indicate that the world’s climate objectives will not be met if nuclear technologies are excluded. Beyond existing large-scale nuclear reactors, nuclear power continues to evolve with new technologies emerging including small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactor technologies.
These technologies will complement established large-scale reactors and open new markets, including district heating, high-temperature process heat and hydrogen production. SMRs could provide electricity for small grids or remote locations and will improve the integration of variable renewable energy sources. In many parts of the world, nuclear power plants are a cost-competitive option for generating electricity. In other places, while new nuclear plants may be more expensive than alternatives on a levelized cost basis, they offer resilience and environmental benefits that justify these investments and will make the overall energy system more affordable and sustainable. The nuclear industry has coordinated its efforts to learn from recent projects to reduce construction costs.
Some countries may choose to pursue nuclear power with a view that it can play an important role in their energy mix as a viable decarbonization option. Other countries have decided not to use nuclear power for a variety of reasons, some because of their endowment of natural resources and others because of their concerns relating to safety and waste. Policy-makers who wish to meet climate and sustainable development objectives using nuclear power should:
- Establish a level playing field for all low-carbon technologies.
Decarbonizing energy is a significant undertaking that will require deployment of all available low-carbon technologies, including nuclear power. - Provide positive, long-term policy signals for new nuclear development.
Consistent policies and clear market frameworks will enable investment in new nuclear power projects and support stable supply chains. - Accelerate the development and deployment of SMRs and advanced reactor technologies.
Technical, financial and regulatory support are essential for the deployment and commercialization of new nuclear technologies. International harmonization of licensing frameworks should be promoted. - Secure the long-term operation of existing nuclear plants.
Long-term operation of existing nuclear plants will avoid unnecessary CO2 emissions and decrease the costs of the energy transition. This must respect safety and economic parameters. - Assess the merits of low-cost financing of nuclear power projects.
Green finance classifications should be based on scientific and technology-neutral methodologies. Multilateral banks and international finance institutions should consider nuclear projects as part of their sustainable lending activities.
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
