Nuclear energy is back on the agenda after a year of significant developments for the industry, with politicians recognising the value of the energy source and countries like China pushing ahead with ambitious and “exciting” growth, Tim Gitzel, chief executive officer of Canada-based uranium company Cameco Corporation, told the 25th CIBC Western Institutional Investor Conference.

Mr Gitzel said 2021 was “the most exciting year” for the company in the last 10-11 years. “It was a transition year for us, but it is sustainable,” he said. “We don’t think it’s a flash in the pan. It’s been a tough slog over the past 10 or 11 years, but now there is excitement at Cameco and in the nuclear industry generally.”