Verónica Castro-AllendeThe Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024 conference, held in Paris, brought together government officials and industry leaders to discuss nuclear energy’s vital role in achieving net zero and enhancing global energy security. Hosted by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and Sweden’s Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, the event emphasized nuclear power as a cornerstone of the clean energy transition. Key topics included the expansion of nuclear energy capacity, the accelerated deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), and the need for global cooperation to streamline safety regulations. The participants highlighted the importance of tripling nuclear capacity by 2050 to meet rising energy demands and combat climate change. Workforce development, financing strategies, and supply chain resilience were also addressed as crucial to the success of nuclear energy projects. With Sweden committing to 2.5 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2035, and global financial institutions showing interest in supporting nuclear projects, the conference underscored the need for collaboration. As nuclear energy remains a key solution to achieving decarbonization, the 2025 edition of the Roadmaps to New Nuclear conference will continue to drive international cooperation in this critical field.
The Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024 conference, held on 19-20 September in Paris, saw government officials and industry leaders gather to discuss the expansion of atomic energy.
Hosted by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and Sweden’s Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, the event aimed to identify practical solutions to scale up nuclear projects, enhance energy security, and promote economic growth.
21 nations ‘ representatives reaffirmed their commitment to using nuclear technology as a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.
Nuclear energy: A essential path to net zero
The challenge of achieving net zero carbon emissions through the expansion of atomic energy was at the center of the discussions.
The conference participants stressed the need to accelerate radioactive development as the world’s demand for clean energy is growing. The need to triple atomic energy capacity globally by 2050 was highlighted in a mutual communiqué from the energy ministers present.
” Recognising the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for superior energy security, we underscore the strategic importance of nuclear energy in achieving a fresh, green, climate-neutral future”, the ministers stated.
Their commitment reflected the growing international consensus that nuclear energy is essential for both energy independence and decarbonization.
Cooperation and commitment to radioactive development
The conference focused on making concrete decisions to accelerate the growth of atomic energy, including building new reactors and prolonging the life of existing ones.
Small modular reactors ( SMRs ) also featured prominently, with delegates highlighting the need to expedite their deployment. According to their flexibility and lower upfront costs, SMRs are regarded as a game-changer in the nuclear sector.
Throughout the entire event, global cooperation was a key theme. In order to streamline safety regulations and ensure efficient and safe development of nuclear power, regulatory bodies, including the NEA Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA), called for stronger collaboration between nations.
The regulators put a premium on the need for a reliable framework that promotes relaxing nuclear energy use while upholding strict safety standards.
Overcoming workforce and financing challenges
The need for a qualified workforce is one of the biggest obstacles to nuclear energy expansion. Ministers acknowledged the need to train a fresh, different generation of professionals in order to meet the demands of a growing nuclear industry.
In addition, supply chain resilience was identified as a key factor in the success of novel atomic technologies like SMRs.
Financing was a different important topic, with participants looking into strategies to entice both public and private funding.
As prospective partners in obtaining climate financing for radioactive projects, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks were seen since.
Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ebba Busch, emphasised her country’s commitment to radioactive growth, revealing plans to add 2.5 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2035.
The future of nuclear energy expansion
A call for continued global efforts to expand atomic energy was the final note of the conference. The Government of Korea will co-chair the second edition of the Roadmaps to New Nuclear conference in 2025, which will continue to emphasize cooperative solutions for the expansion of atomic energy.
William Magwood, IV, Director-General of the NEA, highlighted the urgency of acting today to meet the world’s rising energy needs and address climate change. ” This is the ideal time to address these issues,” the statement read. He urged the community to work together to advance atomic energy as a solution to the climate and energy crises, strengthening the social resolve to do so.
As the international community moves towards a low-carbon future, nuclear energy expansion will remain key to ensuring sustainable, safe, and reliable energy for all.
