• Industry calls for construction of new nuclear plants and early deployment of advanced reactors, including SMRs

• Brussels-based nucleareurope group wants clarity for investors

World leaders attending the inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels on Thursday (21 March) adopted a declaration that promised efforts to unlock the full potential of nuclear energy including access to competitive financing for lifetime extensions, new nuclear plants and the early deployment of advanced reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs) worldwide.

The declaration came as International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi told the summit that “the nuclear taboo is over”. 

But he told NucNet there is “a lot of work to do” on financing with markets.

“Concrete results from the summit are to untie the knots, address the challenges and do a lot of work on financing with markets,” he told NucNet.

“We need to facilitate access to nuclear energy for those lagging behind, we have a lot of work to do on financing internationally and nationally. “

Grossi said in a speech to the summit that the green transition is faltering, not just from slow progress but from growing fatigue. Nuclear energy, a key ally in the fight against climate change, is crucial for a balanced energy mix, he said.