Thursday, March 25, 2021
12:00 – 1:15 pm EDT

Global perspectives on the present and the future of nuclear energy
Dr. Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General
World Nuclear Association

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Abstract

Last year five new reactors came on line in China, Russia, Belarus and UAE. These totalled 5631 MWe net. A further reactor in India, 630 MWe, came online in early 2021. Uprates mostly in USA totalled 188 MWe, and there were seven construction starts, in China and Turkey, total 6875 MWe. These include a fast neutron reactor and small modular reactor in China. However, six reactors totalling 5165 MWe were finally closed down in four countries; each had operated 43 to 46 years. At the end of 2020 there were 441 operable reactors totalling 392,434 MWe in 31 countries plus Taiwan, according to WNA data. Over 50 reactors in 19 countries were under construction. In 2021 about 15 new reactors are expected on line, including an innovative Chinese high-temperature gas-cooled reactor.

However, there is an urgent need for the pace of grid connections and new construction starts to increase in order to expand the essential contribution nuclear energy makes to global clean energy provision and reach the nuclear industry’s Harmony goal.

In 2020 the nuclear industry has been an essential part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the challenges of working in COVID-safe conditions, nuclear operators have ensured reactors have been available to provide electricity and grid stability. Reactor operators have also had to respond to the marked reductions in demand that have been observed during the pandemic and have had to operate with more flexibility.

Looking forward, governments are considering how to restart their economies and generate jobs, as well as how to meet their energy and environmental goals. Each new nuclear build project generates thousands of jobs and boosts the local economy, as well as contributes to our Harmony goal of a clean and reliable electricity mix.

Biography

Sama Bilbao y León became the Director General of the World Nuclear Association in October 2020.

Previously, and since June 2018, she was Head of the Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics at the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. In her role at the NEA, she led a team of analysts responsible for providing Member Countries with authoritative studies in the intersection of technology, innovation and economics in support of their energy policy decision-making. Since January 2020, she was also Head of the Technical Secretariat for the Generation IV International Forum (GIF).