The World Nuclear Fuel Cycle international forum is co-organised by the Nuclear Energy Institute and World Nuclear Association. As the name suggests, this conference is very much focused on the commercial nuclear fuel cycle and the economic competitiveness of nuclear energy, so as you'd expect, the programme is firmly based around the issues that are of significance in the fuel marketplace - and that's certainly a complex and challenging place right now.Claire Maden has put together a special report on this year's gathering, which took place in April in the Netherlands.There has been a dramatic fall in the price of electricity in Finland over the past six months. Can that be linked to Olkiluoto 3's recent move into commercial operation? World Nuclear Association's Alec Mitchell crunches the numbers and explains the price fluctuation.The past month has also seen the unveiling of Westinghouse's proposed AP300 small modular reactor. Warwick Pipe reports on the launch and the back-story to the latest SMR contender.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsWorld Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2023Nuclear Power in FinlandWestinghouse's AP300Email newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production 

The French nuclear giant EDF and its partners have been working on their Nuward small nuclear reactor and have now spun the operation into a subsidiary company.  Renaud Crassous, president of Nuward joins us to discuss its plans and timelines, and explains why the decision to set up a subsidiary company was taken.During a wide-ranging interview Crassous talks about the pioneering early design regulatory review being jointly carried out by regulators in three countries, and explains why the aim is for Nuward to be 'Europe's SMR' rather than just a French one.April has been a busy month for World Nuclear News's Warwick Pipe and Claire Maden who join host Alex Hunt to report on Germany exiting the nuclear energy scene as its last three nuclear reactors were shut down in the middle of the month. Plus, on a brighter note, they also explain the significance just a few days later of a ceremony held to inaugurate the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, as Turkey officially joined the league of nations with nuclear energy capacity. And there's time too for some positive news from Finland and its Olkiluoto 3 EPR.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsNuwardA guide: The end of Germany’s nuclear powerPresidents address ceremony inaugurating Turkey's first nuclear plantTVO accepts Olkiluoto EPR ahead of commercial operationEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production 

The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency released a report in March which it described as the first publicly available international data on gender balance in the nuclear sector. Claire Maden reports on the report's key findings (that there's still a long way to go to boost female representation in the sector) and also on what NEA Director General William D Magwood IV and Fiona Rayment, chair of the NEA's Gender Balance Task Group had to say about the situation. The need to encourage more women into the nuclear sector is an issue returned to in an interview with Corhyn Parr, CEO of Nuclear Waste Services, who says her own experience has shown it is a great career choice. She also tells host Alex Hunt that with the expansion of nuclear in the coming years and the need to hit net zero targets, the sector needs to be able to attract and welcome the most talented people from across society.Parr also discusses progress made on the UK's plans for a Geological Disposal Facility. The aim is to narrow the current shortlisted areas down to two options by 2026, with the longer-term timescale looking at an operating start in 2050. The European Union's member states have been split over the position of nuclear energy within its sustainability framework and green taxonomy. Those differences are continuing with the EU's Net Zero Industry Act - Andrei Goicea, policy director for Nucleareurope, explains what the act is, what place nuclear has in it at the moment, and what happens next.  In the news round-up World Nuclear News's Warwick Pipe reports on the contrasting nuclear energy developments taking place in Taiwan and South Korea.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsNEA: Gender Balance in the Nuclear SectorNucleareuropeNuclear Waste ServicesEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Brandon Munro, CEO of Bannerman Energy, joins us to consider the impact on the uranium and wider nuclear sector of the Russia-Ukraine war as it continues into a second year. Munro sees a bright future for the uranium sector and also talks about the prospects for an expansion of nuclear in Africa and why he sees the Cameco-Westinghouse deal as a good thing, and one which gives more backing for the idea of nuclear energy being part of green taxonomies.And what about those people who are opposed to nuclear energy? Is it possible to change minds? Munro, who has around 20,000 followers on Twitter (@brandon_munro) says that conversations are key - in his experience once people know the facts they tend to be in favour.Never before has one country's military occupied another country's nuclear power plants. World Nuclear News's Claire Maden joins host Alex Hunt to recap a timeline of some of the key events. Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsBannerman EnergyIAEA report on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in UkraineEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

What can be done to improve the process of getting approval for new nuclear in different countries? If a reactor, for example a small modular reactor, is approved in one country, can that help to speed up the process in a different country? Jay Wileman is president and CEO of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy so is well placed to outline what the issues are for companies such as his, which is currently in the process of  getting approvals from multiple countries for the BWRX-300 SMR. Wileman is a key figure in World Nuclear Association's Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licencing Group, better known as the CORDEL working group, which focuses on the benefits and means of achieving a worldwide convergence of reactor safety standards and approaches to licensing reactor designs. Doing so would have big cost savings and allow much faster adoption of nuclear energy in different countries. Joint CORDEL programme leader, Ronan Tanguy, joins us to explain how the group works, and sets out some specific goals.  It has been a busy start to the year and World Nuclear News's Warwick Pipe and Claire Maden join host Alex Hunt to discuss the positive nuclear policy changes in countries stretching from Sweden to South Korea, and also outline expectations of as many as 10 reactor start-ups scheduled for 2023. There is also an update on the US strategic reserve of domestically produced uranium.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsCORDEL: Different Interpretations of Regulatory RequirementsGE Hitachi Nuclear EnergyEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Uranium is a key part of the nuclear energy sector and there has been a growing focus on it, and the entire nuclear fuel cycle, following Russia's military action in Ukraine. Claire Maden sets out the fascinating history of uranium and John Ciampaglia, CEO of Sprott Asset Management, joins us to discuss the uranium market in 2022 and how that is linked to wider nuclear sector developments.As a new year begins, World Nuclear Association's director general Sama Bilbao y León reviews the main achievements and challenges of 2022 and sets out her hopes for the sector in 2023. There is also a special focus on India, with an overview of its nuclear energy history from Shah Nawaz Ahmad, the WNA's India expert, as well as an overview of current and future developments.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsGuide to uranium (from World Nuclear Asssociation)SprottA guide to nuclear power in IndiaEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The World Association of Nuclear Operators generally keeps a low public profile, but its CEO Ingemar Engkvist joins us to explain why that low public profile is deliberate, and outlines how the organisation works and how its members support each other.  He also discusses the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.Watch out for Engkvist's very unusual story about how he first became involved in the nuclear field, and as he comes to the end of his three-year term he talks about the exciting prospects for nuclear energy in the decades ahead.In the news round-up for November, the focus is on the role nuclear played at COP27. World Nuclear Association's Jonathan Cobb and Henry Preston report on the event and from some of the expert sessions staged at the #Atoms4Climate pavilion at the event in Egypt - the first time there has been such a platform at a COP.  Speakers featured included: Pat Dalzell from Bruce PowerOntario's environment minister David PacinniElina Teplinsky from Pillsbury LawKirsty Gogan from TerraPraxisEdward Stones from DowAlice Cunha da Silva, nuclear engineerDaniel Liu from Japan Atomic Industrial ForumTyson Culver, director of Juice: How Electricity Explains the World  Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsWorld Association of Nuclear OperatorsWorld Nuclear Association COP27 in-depth reportEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

October saw the big news that a strategic partnership of Cameco Corporation and Brookfield Renewable Partners is to acquire Westinghouse Electric Company for a total enterprise value of approximately USD8 billion.  Brookfield Renewable, together with its institutional partners, will own a 51% interest in Westinghouse and Cameco will own 49%. Closing of the transaction is expected in the second half of 2023, subject to certain conditions, including approval from Brookfield Business Partners unit holders and regulatory approvals. So who better to explain the thinking behind the deal than Cameco President and CEO Tim Gitzel, who says why he thinks the timing is right for the deal and how it fits into what he sees as the future growth of the global nuclear energy sector.   He also outlines the current state and outlook for the uranium/fuel business,  reflects on the impact of the Russian war with Ukraine on the global nuclear industry and says that with new technological developments nuclear has an increasingly crucial role to play in efforts to combat climate change. In the news round-up for the month Claire Maden covers the start of fuel loading at Vogtle 3, the USA's first completely new nuclear unit for more than three decades, while Warwick Pipe outlines the latest state of play in Germany and the decision to rethink the end of year shutdown plans for its final nuclear power plants. We also hear what Greta Thunberg and Bill Gates have been saying about nuclear energy.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsCamecoClosing nuclear in Germany while increasing coal 'a mistake', says Greta ThunbergIAEA interview with Bill GatesPandora's Promise, official websiteEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The global nuclear sector gathered in London in September for World Nuclear Symposium. Key figures from the industry took part in discussions on the challenges and opportunities for future growth. In this episode we bring you a selection of their views, as they outline the huge demand for small modular reactors, but also the regulatory harmonisation and financing changes needed if they are to meet this potential growth. During this episode we hear from, in order of appearance:Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general International Atomic Energy AgencySama Bilbao y Leon, director general of World Nuclear Association Vakisasai Ramany, senior vice president development, EDFNawal Prinja, technology dirctor, Jacobs Engineering GroupAna Gomez Cobo, safety assessment section head, IAEAMarilyn Kray, vice president nuclear development, ConstellationTom Samson, chief executive offices, Rolls-Royce SMRSimon Irish, chief executive, Terrestrial EnergyAlexander Superfin, nuclear power president, WorleyIsidro Baschar, director, Nucleoelectrica ArgentinaGeorge Borovas, partner and head of nuclear, Hunton Andrews KurthMark Muldowney, managing director energy resource and infrastructure, BNP ParibasDarryl Murphy, managing director, Aviva InvestorsDaniel Dean, implementation organisation strategic advisory group chair, International Bank for Nuclear InfrastructureJon Ball, executive vice president market development, GE Hitachi Nuclear EnergyRick Springman, senior vice president international projects, Holtec InternationalIn the news round-up for the month Claire Maden focuses on the latest landmark at the Barakah project in the UAE, while Warwick Pipe looks at the report from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe which says that carbon neutrality is still achievable despite the energy crisis if all low carbon options, including nuclear, are deployed. There is also an update of the IAEA efforts to establish a safety zone at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsUNECE roadmap to net-zero calls for greater use of nuclear energyWorld Nuclear Symposium 2022Contact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons took place at the United Nations in New York during August. Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen took time out during the talks to explain the issues with a special focus on how a key part of the NPT is the sharing of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. We also hear from Elizabeth Muller, CEO and co-founder of Deep Isolation, who explains how it is hoping to solve the nuclear waste disposal issue. Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen is President of the Tenth Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In an interview conducted while the conference was taking place, he talks about his background, explains what the NPT is, the big issues for the review conference, including the importance of encouraging the  sharing of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. He gives his thoughts on what role the nuclear industry can have in helping to drive this aspect forward. There is also an update to include his reaction after the event closed without a consensus document. Although disappointed, Zlauvinen highlights the progress made despite the challenging geopolitical backdrop.Elizabeth Muller is CEO and co-founder of Deep Isolation, who talks about her background as an environmentalist and explains why she wanted to "solve" the issue of nuclear waste disposal so that the future growth of nuclear is not held back by negative public perception of the issue. She explains the company's deep borehole repository system and sets out likely timescales, which means there could be a disposal site up and running within the next five to ten years.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsUN's NPT review conference websiteNPT 'remains vital', fresh push on sharing nuclear tech for peaceful usesGlobal nuclear industry states its support for the NPTDeep IsolationContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit: Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The European Parliament vote favouring nuclear being included as a sustainable investment in the EU taxonomy was bigger than expected - Nucleareurope’s Jessica Johnson explains why. Jonathan Cobb crunches the numbers on the nuclear industry and the IAEA’s Lisa Lande discusses leadership and why it is so important in the nuclear sector.Jessica Johnson is communications and advocacy director for Nucleareurope, the Brussels-based trade organisation for the nuclear industry in Europe and was a key figure in putting the case. She explains what the EU taxonomy is, and the steps that led up to the vote in early July. She also explains what the practical result of nuclear being included in the EU taxonomy is likely to be, including the impact on other countries as they develop their own sustainable funding rules.Lisa Lande is a leadership expert and senior nuclear human resources development specialist with the International Atomic Energy Agency.  She says leadership abilities are needed at every level of an organisation, and explains why there is such an important role for them in the nuclear industry. Good management skills are also important and Lande, fresh from the World Nuclear University's Summer Institute, explains what the difference is between leadership and management and says that both are needed in the nuclear sector, where robust managerial activity is required to ensure safety and security.  In a bonus addition at the end of this edition Lande also shares her five leadership tips.In Focus is the World Nuclear Performance Report 2022. Its author Jonathan Cobb,  senior communications manager at World Nuclear Association, has been crunching the numbers for the annual state of the industry assessment and joins us to share key headlines, such as a bounce back in nuclear output and also how performance stats back extensions of the operating life of nuclear plants.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsWorld Nuclear Performance Report 2022WNU's Summer InstituteContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit: Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

We are joined by Urenco CEO Boris Schucht, a lifelong supporter and advocate for the energy transition who describes how he went back to his roots at the globally active uranium enrichment company. He talks about the role nuclear can play in hitting climate targets, how players in the fuel cycle can respond to current world events as well as meeting the needs of advanced and small modular reactors.In focus is Sweden, with World Nuclear Association's John Lindberg outlining the history and state of the country's nuclear sector as well as considering what impact there might be from the upcoming elections.In the News Briefing Warwick Pipe and Claire Maden join host Alex Hunt to review the past month's nuclear developments, including the progress at Barakah 3, industry developments in Poland, NEI's Maria Korsnick's optimism for future demand and a new report on nuclear power's green credentials.   Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsUrencoWNA: Nuclear Power in SwedenContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit: Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The President of the Canadian Nuclear Association, John Gorman, joins us to talk about the prospects for nuclear energy in Canada, SMRs, green bonds, his experience switching from renewables to the nuclear sector, and how both can work together to tackle climate change. Our In Focus is on China, with World Nuclear Association's Francois Morin talking through the country's seven decades of nuclear history, the rapid expansion currently taking place and the plans for even more to come.Reviewing the past month's nuclear news, Warwick Pipe and Claire Maden join host Alex Hunt to consider how the various recent elections might impact the nuclear industry, as well as the key takeaways from the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference. Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsCanadian Nuclear AssociationWNA: Nuclear Power in ChinaContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit: Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Director General of World Nuclear Association, Sama Bilbao y León, joins us for the first World Nuclear News monthly podcast. She sets out the opportunities and challenges facing the nuclear sector. John Lindberg separates fact and fiction when it comes to radiation, and Warwick Pipe and Claire Maden join host Alex Hunt to discuss what has been making the nuclear news during April.Key links to find out more: World Nuclear NewsWorld Nuclear AssociationIs Radiation Safe? A WNA briefing paperContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit: Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production