27 Jun (NucNet): Continuous improvement in reactor designs in the coming years could make nuclear power more cost-effective and help to alleviate public concerns on issues such as safety and waste disposal, International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Yukiya Amano said in his keynote address at the 2018 World Nuclear Exhibition event in Paris, France, today.
Mr Amano said advanced water-cooled reactors with innovative safety measures and small modular reactors could play a key role in the replacement and expansion of the global nuclear fleet.
He said it was essential that robust levels of nuclear safety consistent with IAEA safety standards should be in place at every nuclear power plant.
“In many countries, public acceptance remains the most important issue to be addressed when it comes to nuclear power. Enhanced safety helps to increase public confidence in nuclear power,” he said.
Mr Amano said he believes it will be difficult for the world to meet the challenges of securing sufficient energy, and of limiting the average global temperature increase to 2 degrees centigrade, without making more use of nuclear power.
Renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power would play an increasingly important role in the future. “However, these are intermittent energy sources which cannot meet countries’ needs on their own. That means more use of nuclear power will be needed,” Mr Amano said.
