The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)

Webinar: The true costs of decarbonisation

On 17 January 2019, the NEA held a webinar to discuss the true costs of decarbonisation, based on a forthcoming NEA report to assess the costs of alternative low‑carbon electricity systems capable of achieving strict carbon emission reductions consistent with the 2°C target. The webinar featured introductory remarks by the OECD Secretary‑General Ángel Gurría and NEA Director‑General William D. Magwood, IV, who led a discussion on the importance of system costs in assessing the overall costs of the energy transitions under way. Find out more at oe.cd/nea-system-costs-webinar-2019.

2018 Year-in-Review

2018 was a very active and impactful year at the NEA. It marked the 60^th anniversary of the Agency and brought other milestones, including the establishment of the new NEA Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management. During this year, the NEA released flagship reports on emergency management, electricity costs, nuclear law and advanced nuclear fuels. It also organised events, conferences and workshops corresponding to the needs of member countries in the application and exploration of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes. The NEA sincerely thanks all of you for following us and for being part of the NEA community. Watch our year‑in‑review video here to see the highlights and key moments of 2018.

Just published: Uranium 2018 – Resources, Production and Demand

Jointly prepared by the NEA and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the 27^th edition of the "Red Book" presents data from 41 uranium producing and consuming countries. The new edition provides the most recent review of world uranium market fundamentals and presents a statistical profile of the world uranium industry. It offers updated information on established uranium production centres and mine development plans, as well as projections of nuclear generating capacity and reactor‑related requirements through 2035, in order to address long-term uranium supply and demand issues. Individual country reports offer detailed information on recent developments in uranium exploration and production, on environmental activities, regulatory requirements and on relevant national uranium policies. Read more at oe.cd/nea-2018-07

NEA Director-General visits China to further enhance technical co-operation

NEA Director General Mr William D. Magwood, IV and senior staff visited China on 7-9 November for a series of meetings with various ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE)/National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA), the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), and the National Energy Administration of China (C/NEA). Technical visits were also made to the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) and the Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant, where the world's first AP1000 third-generation nuclear reactor (Sanmen 1) is now connected to the grid. Discussions with the Chinese authorities covered a wide range of issues, including the electricity markets in China, nuclear safety culture, safety case for the disposal of radioactive waste, decommissioning and legacy management, stakeholder involvement and small modular reactors. Underlining the enhanced technical co-operation between the two parties, the first NEA-China Forum will be held in May 2019 with a focus on radioactive waste management and decommissioning.

Accident Tolerant Fuels: Prospects and Possibilities

The NEA will host a webinar on Accident Tolerant Fuels: Prospects and Possibilities on Tuesday, 20 November 2018 at 16:00-17:00 Paris time. Accident tolerant fuels may offer opportunities to enhance the safety and competitiveness of commercial nuclear power plants. The NEA, as a part of its effort to advance the scientific bases needed for the development of advanced nuclear fuels, has recently published the State-of-the-Art Report on Light Water Reactor Accident-Tolerant Fuels. The report reviews the most promising advanced fuel and cladding concepts in terms of their fundamental properties and behaviour under normal and accidental conditions, maturity of technologies, supporting R&D activities, experimental data and modelling results. Find out more and register at oe.cd/nea-atf-webinar-2018

ENEN and NEA sign MOU to foster nuclear education and training

The European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) and the NEA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-operate in the field of nuclear education, training and knowledge transfer – an increasingly important concern for NEA member countries. The MoU aims to advance the ENEN and NEA's common aim of improving existing educational activities in the nuclear field, and maintaining the capability and expertise necessary to ensure the continued safe and efficient use of nuclear technology. ENEN and the NEA will cultivate joint efforts to develop education tools, approaches, methods and opportunities that will help foster the development of the next generation of nuclear scientists.