The Year 2010 is likely to be a decisive year for the nuclear energy sector in Europe. While nuclear power is more and more at the top of the European Union (EU)’s agenda, many countries in Europe are either considering extending the operational time of their nuclear power plants (NPP) or building new reactors.

 

At EU level, a new piece of legislation on radioactive waste management is currently being discussed within the European Commission (EC). The Impact Assessment is already being carried out by DG TREN, which includes a public consultation process (a broad 8-week internet consultation) that should be launched just after the new energy Commissioner takes office. The piece of legislation, which is likely to be an amended proposal of the Directive on radioactive waste management from 2004 (part of the so-called “nuclear package”), should not be adopted by the EC until autumn 2010 when the inter-service consultation is over.

 As part of the objectives of the Sustainable Energy Technology (SET) Plan aimed at defining the main research avenues necessary to deliver a low carbon energy mix for Europe by 2050, a European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII) will be launched in June in Madrid. The SNE-TP is expected to adopt in spring a Deployment Strategy document that will outline how nuclear fission research will be undertaken (financing, infrastructures…) and how the nuclear industry is expected to progress up to 2050.

 Within the EU, several countries are expected to definitely reverse or at least “postpone” their current phase-out policies this year:

 In Belgium the government decided in October 2009 to extend the period of operation of three reactors at the country’s nuclear power plants by 10 years. The decision still needs to be approved by Belgium’s federal parliament presumably in 2010.

 The Swedish government announced in February 2009 that it intends to reverse the country’s long-standing ban on nuclear energy and allow the building of new nuclear reactors to gradually replace its existing nuclear fleet. The political statement is expected to be ratified by the Parliament before the national elections in September 2010.

 In Germany no decision has been made yet, but the coalition formed between the CDU and the FPD is expected to decide on the lifetime extension of the nuclear power plants by 10 to 15 years to secure the country’s energy independence during the second half of 2010, after the regional elections in Rhineland Westphalia.

 Important decisions on nuclear new build projects are also likely to be taken in Europe in 2010. In Bulgaria, the Belene NPP project has suffered delays due to difficulties to finance the construction. The state-owned utility NEK and Atomstroyexport, the Russian company selected to build the plant, signed a contract amendment on 9 December 2009 to extend the first contract period to March 2010. It will enable Atomstroyexport to complete the stage of “the technical design” (work-out of a detailed technical design) and to submit it to regulators for approval.

 In Finland three companies, Fortum, TVO and Fennovoima, have submitted applications for a decision-in-principle on the construction of new reactors. The Finnish government is expected to take a decision by mid 2010.

 Lithuania has decided to build a new NPP at Visaginas to compensate for the loss of capacity due to the closure of Ignalina. On 8 December 2009, Lithuania’s government officially launched a call for tender for strategic investors. The potential investors have to send their bids by 29 January 2010 and the negotiations should be finalized by the end of 2010.

 In the United Kingdom, where a whole fleet of new nuclear reactors is planned to be built by 2017 to replace the ageing ones, an important stage should be completed this year. Since the national elections are taking place in spring 2010, large amount of nuclear policy will need to be passed by Parliament before March. It includes the regulatory justification (assessment of social, economic or other benefits versus potential health impact) and a National Policy statement, which should be adopted by the Parliament during the first quarter of 2010.

 In Italy the government decided last year to lift the ban on nuclear new built. The Italian government should announce the list of potential sites within weeks. A joint venture between Enel, and Electricité de France is carrying out feasibility studies on four EPR units at three sites. Other large European utilities are also interested in investing in the Italian nuclear market and they are expected to launch other projects in the country during this year.

 Nuclear’s climate and security of supply credentials have urged EU Members States and EU institutions to recognise the essential role of nuclear power in the energy mix. This trend is likely to be reinforced this year.