Nuclear to meet big growth in demand

Safety cooperation and low emissions put it in energy mix

DUBAI // Nuclear power could be a low- emissions answer to growing demands for energy , the World Government Summit heard yesterday.

Speaking during a panel discussion titled The Future of Nuclear Energy, the panellists said factors such as population growth, urbanisation and growing economic development would continue to drive the world’s demand for energy to record levels.

Lessons learnt from catastrophes such as Chernobyl, Fukushima and Three Mile Island needed to be the key to success, said the panel.

“Nothing is infallible,” said Philippe Jamet, former commissioner to the French Nuclear Safety Authority. “Countries that wish to introduce nuclear power into their energy mix need to focus on all safety and security aspects.”

Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said 30 developing countries were considering introducing nuclear power for civilian use and needed support so they could use it safely, securely and sustainably. More than 60 nuclear power plants are under construction globally, four of which are in the UAE, including the Barakah site, which is expected to start operating by May.

Authorities in these countries are working closely with organisations such as the IAEA to benefit from best practice and knowledge sharing, Mr Amano said.

With the United Nations predicting world population growth from 6.7 billion in 2011 to 8.7 billion by 2035, demand for energy too is set to rise substantially.

The session also addressed the need for both government-to-government agreements and industry-to-industry arrangements to ensure safety and security, the transfer of technology and human resource development.