EU Commissioner Praises Work Of Nuclear Energy Forum
Written by NucNet
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
The European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) has achieved “discussion without taboo on nuclear energy and its future”, European Union commissioner for energy Günther Oettinger said today during an opening speech at the forum’s fifth plenary meeting, held in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Mr Oettinger said that ENEF had achieved the objective of creating a taboo-free discussion on nuclear and that in future, nuclear power could play a “central role” in low-cost electricity production in the EU.
Mr Oettinger also re-affirmed the European Commission’s intention to “create a framework for the highest available nuclear safety standards”. He said legally binding standards that already existed confirmed the “primary responsibility of the licence holders for nuclear safety” in the EU.
He added that for the 82 percent of Europeans who favour EU regulation of the management of nuclear waste, the disposal of radwaste (and spent fuel) was a key issue. “When it comes to the final storage of spent fuel we will plan the construction of such sites,” said Mr Oettinger.
Mr Oettinger also spoke about the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in Cadarache, southern France, saying he subscribed to the development of “large-scale, controlled” fusion power. “The fact that partners like the US and China have given Europe a leading role should be highlighted” he said.
ENEF is an initiative created by the European Commission in 2007 which gathers stakeholders from the European institutions, European Union governments, civil society and the nuclear industry. The 2010 plenary is being held from 25 to 26 May.
