Experts herald much greater role for nuclear energy

Date: 03/10/02

By Martin Banks

NUCLEAR power could provide 50 of Europe's electricity in the next few years, a top-level conference will be told next week.

The EU's 140 nuclear power reactors currently produce about 30 of its needs, but experts are convinced that nuclear will increasingly account for a larger share of the market despite public concerns over the disposal of spent fuel.

The European Nuclear Society, a non-governmental organisation representing professionals from the industry, argues that nuclear power will be 'vital' in meeting the needs of the two billion people in the world who have no access to electricity.

The group's president, Andrej Stritar, said: 'To meet these increasing demands, and to improve living standards for future generations, large increases in electricity generation will be necessary.'

He insists that such increases must be achieved 'in a sustainable way that has the lowest possible environmental impact'.

Stritar, from Slovenia, will be among the speakers at the European Nuclear Congress which takes place in Lille from 6-11 October.

The event has been jointly organised by the European Nuclear Society and Foratom, the Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear industry in Europe.

Other speakers include François Lamoureux, the Commission's director-general for transport and energy, who will address the need for security of energy supplies and François Roussely, chairman of French power giant, Electricité de France. Commission Vice-President Loyola de Palacio, who was also due to speak at the event, has pulled out due to other commitments.

Preview of the European Nuclear Congress, Lille, 6-11 October 2002.

http://www.euronuclear.org/ http://www.euronuclear.org/

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