Urenco CEO hosts IAEA panel on SMRs

Urenco CEO Boris Schucht has stressed the world is at a “pivotal moment” for advanced nuclear technologies, as he presented a panel discussion at a leading International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference.   

Boris moderated the International Industry Forum on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Supply Chain at the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century on October 27. 

Opening the discussion in Washington D.C., Boris emphasised that the world’s need to reduce emissions and strengthen energy security was increasing the focus on new nuclear technologies such as SMRs and advanced modular reactors (AMRs).

This is now at a “pivotal moment,” with countries across the world looking to utilise these new technologies. 

But Boris emphasised that continued and reliable support from governments was required to help jumpstart the AMR/SMR market to ensure it was commercially viable, and that this support would have to extend to the production of new, advanced nuclear fuels which power the new reactors.  Such support would lead to companies having greater confidence to invest in the market.    

Boris was joined for the discussion by Renaud Crassous of EDF, Adriana Cristina Serquis from Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission, John L. Hopkins of NuScale, USA, and Daniel Poneman of Centrus Energy Corporation. 

All panellists provided their reflections on their respective supply chains for their new nuclear technology projects, and the challenges and opportunities of ensuring they were robust enough. There was also a wider discussion on the nuclear energy landscape and the role of AMRs and SMRs in supporting the clean energy transition. 

Share Article