Press Release 30 Jan 07

Contact: Mathias Hocke, tel: +44 207 734 5996

The Role of Nuclear Power in Europe Report

World Energy Council Launches European wide study on
the Role of Nuclear Power in Europe.

Energy is and will remain one of the major global concerns of the 21st century and Europe is no exception. With global energy demand expected to grow strongly in the coming years, important questions are now being raised over the future of energy supplies, the economic competitiveness of different energy sources and the associated environmental impacts.

A World Energy Council working group consisting of 29 experts from Europe’s electricity industry, lead by Mr. Alessandro Clerici, Senior Consultant to the chairman of ABB, have been investigating the role that nuclear power production currently plays within the European energy scene. Far more interesting, however, is the analysis provided of the role it needs to play in Europe’s future.

Discussed today at a Round table organized by the World Energy Council in London before a panel of leading Energy specialists within the Media, Gerald Doucet the Secretary General of the World Energy Council said ; “The World Energy Council champions all forms of energy; our belief is that all energy options must be kept open if we are to attain the sustainable supply and use of energy. Nuclear Power has an important role in the energy mix if we are to achieve sustainability and improve global accessibility, acceptability and availability of modern energy services”
 
Alessandro Clerici highlighted:  “In order to launch a new generation of Nuclear Power plants it is vital to have the public’s support. Nuclear energy has long been viewed with unease and there is, without doubt, concern over safety, proliferation and waste. More accessible and accurate information is needed to ensure that consumers understand that nuclear power is one realistic option for electricity production in Europe today." 

The World Energy Council (WEC) is the foremost multi-energy organisation in the world today. WEC has Member Committees in over 90 countries, including most of the largest energy-producing and energy consuming countries. Established in 1923; the organisation covers all types of energy, including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, and renewable, and is UN-accredited, non-governmental, non-commercial and non-aligned. WEC is a UK-registered charity headquartered in London. WEC Services Limited was established in 2001 as the incorporated trading subsidiary of WEC.

WEC's Mission is "To promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people"
 
An Executive Summary and the Full Report are available online (PDF Format). For any further questions please contact:
 
Mathias Hocke: hocke@worldenergy.org
Stephan Albrechtskirchinger: Albrechtskirchinger@worldenergy.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 5996