2021 was another busy year at the NEA, despite the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Agency continued working with its members and international partners to provide the scientific, technological and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound and economical use of nuclear energy.
The NEA organised online workshops, webinars and mentoring sessions with policy makers, experts, academics and industry representatives in the nuclear energy sector, published data analyses and policy frameworks on a wide range of topics, and facilitated discussions and experience exchange among member countries.
January
- Bulgaria became the 34th member of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and its Data Bank
- The NEA established the NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy
- Together with the Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment and the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC), the NEA launched an initiative to collaborate on issues of common interest related to innovative nuclear financing
February
- The first edition of the Fundamentals of International Nuclear Law (FINL) course trained 41 professionals and graduate students from 27 countries
- Publication: Strategies and Considerations for the Back End of the Fuel Cycle
- Publication: Towards a Shared Understanding of Radiological Risks
March
- The NEA launched a high-level working group to recommend policies to improve the gender balance in the nuclear science and technology sector
- #WomenInSTEM: Putting the spotlight on the NEA’s women scientists
- NEA WebChat with Olivier Gupta, Director General of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN)
- Publication: Methods for Assessing and Strengthening the Safety Culture of the Regulatory Body
- Publication: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident, Ten Years On
April
- Meeting of the Steering Committee for Nuclear Energy
- NEA WebChat with NEST Fellows Larissa Shasko and Stephen King
- The NEA together with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS), concluded webinar series Disruptive Technologies for Nuclear Safety Applications
- Publication: Small Modular Reactors: Challenges and Opportunities
- Publication: Long-Term Management and Actions for a Severe Accident in a Nuclear Power Plant
May
- The NEA launched a new advanced technology and nuclear cost initiative to provide decision makers with a clear understanding of the current status of development of these technology approaches, their cost reduction potentials and the challenges that may preclude their large-scale deployment
- The NEA Regulators’ Forum (RF) organised a workshop Competency management of regulators (COMAREG)
- The NEA together with the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) hosted the joint webinar The challenges and opportunities in financing small modular nuclear reactors The challenges and opportunities in financing small modular nuclear reactors
June
- The NEA hosted its second annual global nuclear science and engineering commencement
- The NEA hosted an online discussion on safety cases for different types of disposal facilities
- Virtual mission to Japan
- Publication: Ensuring the Adequacy of Funding for Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management Ensuring the Adequacy of Funding for Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management
July
- The NEA organised online event The Most Cost-Effective Decarbonisation Investment: Long-Term Operation of Nuclear Power Plants
- International Mentoring Workshop in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics held jointly by the NEA, the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) and Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA)
- The NEA and the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) organised a joint webinar on Sustainable financing taxonomies, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, and nuclear energy
- Publication: Long-Term Operation of Nuclear Power Plants and Decarbonisation Strategies
August
- International School of Nuclear Law wrapped up a successful virtual programme
- The NEA, in co‑operation with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and the Centre for Radiation Protection Research (CRPR) of Stockholm University, organised the International Radiological Protection School (IRPS)
- The NEA Nuclear Energy Skills and Technology (NEST) Framework awarded the winners of the SMR Prize Competition
- The NEA and its member countries conducted a qualitative survey about women’s experiences in the nuclear energy sector. With more than 8000 responses, this first-ever initiative to gather comprehensive international data on women in nuclear energy-related roles aimed at identifying the challenges and barriers they face to career advancement
- Publication: Nuclear Safety Research Support Facilities for Existing and Advanced Reactors: 2021 Update
- Publication by the Generation IV International Forum (GIF): Nuclear Energy: An ESG Investable Asset Class
September
- The NEA and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) co-organised an online International Workshop Joint utilisation of underground research laboratories for research and development projects
- The NEA and the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) organised a joint webinar Contractual structures and incentives in nuclear new build
- Publication: Benchmark Study of the Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
- A Report to the G20: Nuclear Energy in the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE)
October
- The NEA organised mentoring workshops to connect young women interested in STEM careers with nationally and internationally accomplished women in this area
- As a member of the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (IACRNE), the NEA participated in the latest ConvEx-3
- The NEA organised a virtual workshop to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with high-temperature reactors and industrial heat application
- The Steering Committee for Nuclear Energy focuses on the role of nuclear energy in supporting the decarbonisation of world’s energy supply
- The NEA Regulators' Forum (RF) celebrated 20 years of international service
November
- The NEA participated in the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, to shed light on nuclear energy’s role in addressing climate change
- Joint Evaluated Fission and Fusion (JEFF) Nuclear Data Week 2021
- The NEA together with the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland and the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) concluded nuclear financing webinar series with a High-Level Warsaw Conference on Nuclear Financing
- Publication: Climate Change: Assessment of the Vulnerability of Nuclear Power Plants and Approaches for their Adaptation
December
- The protocols to amend two international instruments that bolster the compensation rights of those affected by nuclear energy accidents were formally ratified at the OECD headquarters
- The Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP) entered a new phase
- Publication: Advanced Nuclear Reactor Systems and Future Energy Market Needs
