Virtual Launch of the 2020 Canada-United Kingdom Colloquium Report on Nuclear Energy

Description

Please join us as we launch the official report of the 2020 Canada-UK Colloquium on the Nuclear Agenda: Challenges & Opportunities, prepared by Ivan Semeniuk.

Nuclear energy currently provides some 10% of the world’s electricity from about 440 power reactors. It is the world’s second largest source of low-carbon power (29% of the total in 2017), used by over 50 countries. As an important carbon-free source of power, and the only one offering large scale continuous generation, it has a key role to play in combating global climate change.

Both Canada and the UK are committed to a transition to a low-carbon and low-pollution economy, which cannot be accomplished without proper consideration of the nuclear option. Both countries are Tier-1 nuclear nations, with a full spectrum of nuclear capabilities such as research reactors, power reactors, fuel manufacturing capabilities, R&D, etc. The nuclear facilities in Canada and the UK have been consistently ranked as among the best in the world for safe and reliable performance. Both countries adhere to internationally respected, independent regulation, operating in a coherent legislative and legal framework that meets and exceeds international expectations.

Yet public concern, including fears of contamination, has hampered the uptake of nuclear power. Countries such as Austria, Australia, Italy and New Zealand have chosen nuclear free energy strategies. Others, including Germany, Spain and Switzerland are choosing not to build more nuclear reactors. Even where nuclear power forms part of the energy mix, such as in Canada and the UK, it is still challenged by many as a good source of energy for the future. There are concerns regarding relatively high costs of investment, perceived adverse safety, environmental and health effects, and potential security risks stemming from misuse of nuclear materials, weaponization and proliferation, as well as management of nuclear waste and costs of decommissioning.

The 2020 CUKC convened experts, political leaders, civil servants, and industry representatives to discuss the nuclear agenda, with the goal of sharing best practice, promoting constructive policy dialogue between Canada and the UK, and making policy recommendations. In doing so, it seeks to advance mutual understanding on clean energy sources and suggest tangible future steps for innovation and collaboration on nuclear power and the global nuclear landscape.

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>>> LAUNCH OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT

DATE: Feb 18, 2021 (8-9AM EST//1-2PM GMT)

AGENDA

Opening Remarks

Dr. Mel Cappe
Anthony Cary, CMG

Welcome Remarks

H.E. Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershecque CMG (British High Commissioner to Canada)
H.E. Janice Charette (Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom)

Panel discussion featuring:

Shawn Tupper, Associate Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada
John Gorman, President & CEO, Canadian Nuclear Association
Julia Pyke , Director of Financing and Economic Regulation, Sizewell C (EDF)
Duncan Hawthorne, CEO, Horizon Nuclear Power

Interactive discussions & Q/A

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Please note that this event will be conducted on Zoom and streamed LIVE on Youtube. We will send you the Youtube URL on the week of Feb 15th for you to tune in, and there will be opportunities for you to pose questions via chatbox

We wish to thank our sponsors:

In Canada: Natural Resources Canada, NB Power, Bruce Power, Ontario Power Generation, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Canadian Nuclear Association, Cavendish Nuclear, Massey College, ARC, Moltex, OCNI

In the UK: Sizewell C (EDF), Horizon Nuclear Power, UK Research and Innovation, NDA, National Nuclear Laboratory, Nuclear Industry Association , Cavendish

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Report by Ivan Semeniuk (French translation by Benoit Hardy-Chartrand)

Project Management by The Park Group