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The World Nuclear News team looks back over the most read articles in 2025 - with topics including Canada's ground-breaking SMR project, the 50th World Nuclear Symposium, the eventual signing of a contract for the Czech new nuclear project, China's SMR completing cold testing, and the drone damage to Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement. Then World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León picks out the key themes of the year, noting the fast-growing interest from the financial sector in investment opportunities in nuclear, plus the declaration from energy users such as Google, Meta and Dow Chemicals to support the goal of at least tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050. With a number of projects making progress in countries without recent experience of nuclear construction there has also been a lot of focus on developing supply chains, reflected in the success of the World Nuclear Supply Chain conference held in Poland. Looking ahead to 2026 there are big set-piece events to look forward to - such as World Nuclear Symposium in London, World Nuclear Supply Chain conference in the Philippines and World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference in Monaco - with big moments also expected for the first units in Bangladesh and Turkey, a restart for Palisades as well as first concrete due to be poured for Hungary's Paks II project. Bilbao y León says the "stars are definitely aligned" for nuclear and the coming year "is the moment where the global nuclear industry really needs to be proactive and active and make the most of this opportunity".  She says: "We really need to work together with our governments. We need to work together with the nuclear regulators, with the finance community, with large energy users. And we cannot leave behind civil society. We have seen major improvements in acceptance and interest in nuclear, but we need to continue to be very proactive to engage with civil society, to make sure that no question is left unanswered." Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Canada's first SMR project: How is CAD20.9 billion cost calculated? World Nuclear Association Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Reporters Claire Maden and Warwick Pipe. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production 

Nuclear energy is now widely seen as one part of the solution to reducing carbon emissions. But how much of a profile did it get at COP30 - the 30th UN Climate Change Conference, held in Belém, Brazil? Jonathan Cobb, Senior Programme Lead, Climate, for World Nuclear Association, was in Brazil for the event and in this edition he outlines what was achieved, and not achieved, at COP30 and what the significant moments were for nuclear energy. He looks ahead to the next editions of COP - in Turkey and Ethiopia - before COP33, which will be held somewhere in Southeast Asia in 2028, and which is due to be when all the National Determined Constributions will have to have been submitted, with a new global stocktake document to be agreed. Also in this edition we hear from Thomas Lamb, CEO of Myriad Uranium, who talks about the history of, and his hopes for, their Copper Mountain project in Wyoming in the USA. He also considers the impact of AI on uranium exploration. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Johan Svenningsson is Country Chairman and CEO of Uniper Sweden as well as being vice chairman and chairman-elect of World Nuclear Association. In this edition, Svenningsson talks about what has been an eventful few years for the nuclear energy sector in Sweden, and the current positive mood towards nuclear and plans for new nuclear - "it's fantastic, we're basically talking about nuclear 2.0 in Sweden", is how he puts it. We also hear about: lessons on modular construction from his previous roles in the oil and gas and the pharmaceuticals industry; life-extension work; decommissioning programmes; and how the construction of a deep geological repository is progressing. Regarding his role with World Nuclear Association, Svenningsson says nuclear is a unique global industry where people learn from each other and share knowledge: "I don't see any other industry which is that global and which is that integrated - we're all competitors, suppliers, customers but we really focus on, and want, nuclear to be a strong part of the future, greener society." His priorities for the association are the industry's need to deliver, now that the political and financial conditions are increasingly in place. He says that on the political and regulatory front "we've come a long way. I think nuclear is starting to be more on par with other technologies, but there is still a way to go. People are still talking about renewables or nuclear ... we should look at all these technologies to be fossil free". Other priorities include the need to attract and train a diverse selection of young talented people to the nuclear industry, and also to develop the supply chain as new nuclear projects begin in emerging nuclear countries, or in established countries restarting their nuclear construction programmes after decades.  Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Dismantling of Swedish reactors reaches milestone Sweden looks to protect nuclear investors from political U-turns Extended operation of Oskarshamn 3 to be assessed WNA Board members Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

If global nuclear energy capacity is to at least triple by 2050 it is going to need huge, huge investment - estimates suggest $250billion a year for 25 years. So how will it be financed and what are the opportunities and challenges for financiers wanting to get involved?  To find out more, host Alex Hunt is joined by World Nuclear Association's Lola Infante, Senior Programme Lead Economics and Finance, and David Stearns, nuclear finance advisor and consultant. They consider why nuclear projects have generally been state-financed in the past, and what the industry needs to do to ensure that it attracts private finance for future schemes, including "financing by design" where, as David puts it, "you embed and you write the financial coding at the same time that you're doing your site assessment, at the same time that you're checking your early stage regulatory approvals". There is discussion of the growing appetite by global investment banks and multilateral banks to invest in new nuclear and the challenges of structuring financing to ensure it is attractive despite the long timescales involved in planning, building and then operating a new nuclear power plant. They also provide insights into what has been learned so far from the Financing Nuclear Briefing series, which brings the nuclear industry and financiers together to discuss financing issues under Chatham House rules. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Investment decisions needed to avoid fuel cycle supply gaps 'Difficult to overstate demand from institutional investors' for nuclear Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

More than 1,100 people gathered in London for the 50th World Nuclear Symposium, taking part in a packed programme of discussions, panels and networking. In addition to the usual broad range of topics there were also two special full day programmes - one focused on end energy users and one on finance. The event also saw the publication of 2025's World Nuclear Fuel Report, which warned that gaps could be opening up in the supply-demand picture over the coming years and investment decisions need to be taken now to fuel the forecast increase in nuclear power capacity. The World Nuclear News team were there and have put together a series of reports on the symposium's proceedings, and the fuel report's findings. People featured, in order of appearance: Cecile Gregoire-David, Head of Uranium, Conversion and Enrichment Services, EDFMalcolm Critchley, CEO, ConverDynMeirzhan Yussupov, CEO, KazatompromMichael Huebel, Director General, Euratom Supply AgencySama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear AssociationTomass Ehler, Director General for Nuclear Energy, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Czech RepublicLauren Culver, Senior Energy Specialist, World BankLoyiso Tyabashe, CEO, South African Nuclear Energy CorporationMatt Firla-Cuchra, Global Lead Nuclear Energy, KPMGVictoria Kalb, Global Head ESG & Sustainability Research, UBSMark Muldowney, Energy, Resources and Infrastructure, BNP ParibasLee McDonough, Director General, Net Zero, Nuclear and International, UK Department for Energy Security and Net ZeroMichelle Catts, Senior Vice President Nuclear Programmes, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear EnergyPete Bryant, CEO, World Nuclear Transport InstituteBernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO, EDFVakis Ramany, Senior Vice President International Nuclear Development, EDFLeon Flexman, Corporate Affairs Director, X-energyMesut Uzman, Chief Nuclear Officer, Fermi AmericaRita Baranwal, Chief Nuclear Officer, RadiantRaquel Heredia Silva, World Nuclear AssociationKey links to find out more: World Nuclear News Investment decisions needed to avoid fuel cycle supply gaps 'Difficult to overstate demand from institutional investors' for nuclear World Nuclear Fuel Report World Nuclear Symposium Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Nuclear reactors worldwide generated 2667 TWh of electricity in 2024, beating the previous record high of 2660 TWh which was set back in 2006, according to World Nuclear Performance Report 2025.  In this edition Jonathan Cobb, author of the report, outlines the key findings of the latest edition of the annual World Nuclear Association publication, which include the dominance of Asia in terms of new reactor capacity over the past decade. There is also clear evidence that reactor performance does not decline with age - the reverse can be true with modernisation, uprates and long-term operation programmes helping capacity factors reach an average of 83% across the global fleet (the capacity factor is a percentage of what the output would have been if a reactor had operated at full capacity for every moment of a year). Jonathan, who is senior programme lead, climate, at World Nuclear Association, also considers how likely it is that the record is going to be broken again in the next few years. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Performance Report Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Andy White, senior vice president of Energy and Environment International for Amentum, talks about his background and the work Amentum is doing in the UK and across Europe in the nuclear sector. Among the topics covered: * The change of attitudes which means that the future decommissioning process is included in the planning stages for new nuclear (and how that should reduce the number of 'surprises' when decommissioning plants) * The company's work on new nuclear in the UK at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C and SMRs and operations in Poland, France, the Czech Republic as well as Norway and the Netherlands * The benefits of bringing in technology, skills and people from other sectors (and countries) to help with what looks like being a forthcoming rapid expansion of new nuclear.  * Plus Amentum's nuclear fusion work, including at ITER, and the general outlook for nuclear, and how financing and regulation can help industry meet the demand for new capacity We also bring you Claire Maden's conversation with Nima Ashkeboussi, vice president government relations and communications at Global Laser Enrichment, earlier this year at the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference in Canada. In it he talks about the company's laser enrichment technology, explaining how it works and the big plans the company has - including 30-years' worth of work relating to the US Department of Energy's 200,000+ tonnes of depleted uranium. GLE's plan is to re-enrich this, so cleaning up a stranded asset and in the process providing a new source of fresh fuel. GLE began a large-scale enrichment demonstration programme in May, and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission accepted for review the company's licensing application for a new facility to be built at Paducah, Kentucky earlier this month. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Amentum GLE GLE submits full application for laser enrichment facility licence Amentum, Multiconsult to assess Norway's nuclear options Amentum awarded Sizewell C project management contract Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Nuclear energy lawyer Vince Zabielski, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, has advised on numerous nuclear energy projects across the world, including the UAE nuclear new-build programme as well as those in Turkey, Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. A mechanical engineer before moving into law, he tells host Alex Hunt about the haircut that launched his career in nuclear, his switch to the law, and explains the important role played by nuclear energy lawyers which is, he says, essentially "problem solving", for example finding a path forward on risk allocation to allow what are giant projects to go ahead. Based in Pillsbury's London office, Zabielski talks about the recent announcements from the UK about Sizewell C funding and explains the benefits of the Regulated Asset Base financing system which is being used there, rather than the Contracts for Difference system used at the Hinkley Point C project and explains why he hopes the RAB system will be adopted elsewhere in Europe. He also talks about the challenge ahead to meet the ambitious goals for future nuclear energy capacity, including how regulators can help. And he explains why he'd encourage young people to consider a career in nuclear power. Also in this episode, in the news round-up, Claire Maden reports on the UK Government taking the Final Investment Decision on Sizewell C - which will feature two EDF EPRs with a capacity of 3.2GW - and the finalising of the project shareholdings. She also outlines the key findings of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's Small Modular Reactor Dashboard, which has identified 127 different SMR designs around the world. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Sizewell C gets final go-ahead decision There are now 127 different SMR designs, finds NEA report The NEA SMR Digital Dashboard Pillsbury: Vince Zabielski Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The World Bank has announced that it is no longer going to be excluding nuclear energy-related projects from its lending criteria. In this episode you can hear how World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi outlined the logic behind the policy switch.  It came as they announced their two organisations’ agreement to work together to support countries which choose new nuclear as part of their development strategies. Both are clear this was an important moment, and World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León, joins us to explain the significance of the change from the global industry’s standpoint. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Bank and IAEA backing new nuclear for development Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

There are big expectations for large-scale growth in nuclear energy capacity over the coming years.  That's good news for established technology providers and their partners. But new capacity in new locations means that there are going to be big opportunities (and challenges) emerging. This was the focus for World Nuclear Association’s first World Nuclear Supply Chain event, held in Poland.  There were more than 300 attendees from 27 countries, including government and industry delegations from Canada, China, Japan, Poland, South Korea and Sweden. As well as extensive networking opportunities there was a succession of high profile speakers taking part in panel sessions. World Nuclear News's Warwick Pipe was there and reports on the event. This episode features, in order of appearance, Sama Bilbao y León, World Nuclear AssociationVakis Ramany, EDFGreg Thede, AeconGary Rose, AtkinsRéalisJon Franke, Ontario Power GenerationJanne Mokka, FortumHiroyuki Goto,  Kansai Electric Power CoGareth Vaughan, AmentumPawel Gajda, Polish Ministry of IndustryRafal Kasprów, Orlen Synthos Green EnergyCarl Berglof, Swedish government's National Nuclear New Build CoordinatorAndy Fry, GE Vernova HitachiCosmin Ghita, NuclearelectricaRuth Todd, Rolls-Royce SMR Marc Tannenbaum, EPRIShuo Kan, China Nuclear Power EngineeringVivek Sharma, Adani Nora Signor, EDFGary Wolski, Curtiss-WrightJeremy Harrison, Government of SaskatchewanKey links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Supply Chain conference Polish supply chain gears up for country's first nuclear project Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

US President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders titled Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base, Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy and Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with the goal of "re-establishing the United States as the global leader in nuclear energy". The aim is to increase US nuclear energy capacity from 100GW to 400GW by 2050, including the Department of Energy (DOE) prioritising work "with the nuclear energy industry to facilitate 5 gigawatt of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and have 10 new large reactors with complete designs under construction by 2030". Explanations of each of the executive orders was given as they were presented to the president to add his signature in the Oval Office. In this episode we play pretty much the whole of that event. As well as the US President, you’ll hear from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who is also Chairman of the National Energy Dominance Council, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Joe Dominguez, CEO of Constellation Energy, Maria Korsnick, CEO of the Nuclear energy Institute, Jacob DeWitte, founder and CEO of Oklo and Scott Nolan of uranium enrichment company General Matter. World Nuclear News’s Claire Maden drills into more of the detail of the announcements, and Jonathan Cobb, senior programme lead, climate, at World Nuclear Association then assesses the broader implications of the US adopting the goal of quadrupling its nuclear energy capacity. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy  Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

In the second of a two-part special report from the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2025 conference held in Canada, Claire Maden reports on the opportunities and challenges facing players across the entire fuel sector. There is the aim to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, shared by many governments, businesses and financial institutions. But will there be the necessary fuel available if that goal is to be reached? Among the issues covered in this episode are developments in the uranium enrichment sector and the challenges faced by transporters of nuclear materials. It also includes discussion of innovative technologies, and the outlook for nuclear fuel markets. This episode features: Christo Liebenberg, LIS Technologies CEO and COO John Donelson, Centrus Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer John-Paul Jones, Urenco Head of Commercial and Market Intelligence Jean-Luc Palayer, Orano USA President and CEO Eileen Supko, Energy Resources International President and World Nuclear Transport Institute North American Representative Kurtis Hinz, TAM International President and CEO Paul Chan, Clean Core Thorium Energy Chief Technology Officer Iftikhar Haque, Terrestrial Energy Vice President, Nuclear Supply Chain Micah Hackett, Kairos Power Vice President Fuels and Materials Tom Brookmire, Dominion Energy Manager, Nuclear Fuel Procurement Lourdes Guzmán, ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas Uranium Supply Manager Chris Opperman, C5 Capital Operating Partner Jonathan Hinze, UxC, LLC President Sama Bilbao y León, World Nuclear Association Director General Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2025 'Great opportunities ahead' for fuel cycle Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

In the first of a two-part special report from the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2025 conference held this month in Canada, Claire Maden reports on the opportunities and challenges facing players across the entire fuel sector. There is the aim to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, shared by many governments, businesses and financial institutions. But will there be the necessary fuel available if that goal is to be reached? Among the issues raised were the impact of trade tariffs, transport issues and wider geopolitics. They will all have an impact on an industry which spans the globe. This episode features contributions from: Sama Bilbao y León, World Nuclear Association Director General Nicolle Butcher, Ontario Power Generation President and CEO Tim Gitzel, Cameco President and CEO Sashi Davies, Boss Energy Ltd Strategic Advisor Tammy Van Lambalgen, Orano Canada Inc Vice President, Chief Corporate Officer  Seitzhan Zhanybekov, Kazatomprom Managing Director, Sales Lisa Aitken, Cameco Vice President, Marketing Andrew Wong, RBC Capital Markets Equity Research Analyst Anna Bryndza, UxC LLC Executive Vice President Nikko Collida, WMC Energy Deputy Head of Nuclear Fuel Brad Beatty, ConverDyn Commercial Manager Steffen Asser, Axpo Power AG Senior Supply Chain Manager Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2025 'Great opportunities ahead' for fuel cycle Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Bruce Power's Chief Operating Officer James Scongack is Chairman of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council and, as he explains, the country aims to play a leadership role in nuclear medicine, not just for Canada's benefit, but also to provide health benefits for the rest of the world. He outlines the life-saving diagnostics and treatments that now exist thanks to isotopes produced in Canada's Candu reactors, research reactors and cyclotrons, and talks about the new trials and treatments which are emerging. The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council has recently signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency's Rays for Hope campaign and aims to help provide access to nuclear medicine's diagnostics and treatments to those parts of the world where people do not currently have access. This is part of what he sees as driving hugely growing demand in the years ahead. For those who may say that producing isotopes is the equivalent of a 'side hustle' for a nuclear power plant, Scongack says it might be "1% of the cashflow, but it's 50% of our contribution" in terms of tackling some of the greatest challenges that communities and society are facing. Scongack also talks about progress at Bruce Power, where the modernisation programme is adding extra capacity equivalent to that which would be provided by building three small modular reactors. There's also an update on Bruce C. Scongack, who sees a bright future for nuclear energy in general, says that communicating positive stories is key. He presents the Canadian Nuclear Isotopes Council's own podcast - called Isotopes for Hope - helping to spread the news about what he calls a "real hidden gem of what our industry around the world does". Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Canadian Nuclear Isotopes Council Isotopes for Hope Bruce Power Milestones for Canada's Bruce Power units Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

There have been a raft of announcements from India in February relating to new nuclear energy capacity. Retired diplomat, author and distinguished fellow of the Vivekananda International Foundation, Ambassador D. P. Srivastava, is the coordinator of a foundation task force report on the energy transition in the country and he joins us to discuss the future for nuclear energy in India. The budget goal is to increase capacity from 7 GW to 100 GW by 2047, and as he explains, there will be a need for both indigenous and international technology involved in meeting that target. To help that process, India is now in the process of allowing private sector involvement in new nuclear and proposing changes to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, which has been seen as a stumbling block for overseas nuclear power plant vendors. In addition, Prime Minister Modi has recently agreed new cooperation deals with French President Macron and US President Trump. Fuel has also been loaded into the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, technology, which he explains, is set to play a key role in India's nuclear future. Srivastava also talks about the task force report's suggestion that India would need a huge amount more than 100 GW nuclear capacity if it is to achieve net zero by 2070. All these announcements set the mood at India Energy Week, a huge event where nuclear took a prominent role. World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León was there and she joins us to give her impression of the event, which included Prime Minister Modi talking about new nuclear. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Vivekananda International Foundation Modi, Trump commit to US-India partnership Collaboration key to clean energy dream, India Energy Week hears India and France sign SMR and AMR partnership letter of intent Indian budget launches Nuclear Energy Mission USA to end restrictions on India's nuclear entities Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: [email protected] Episode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production