Nuclear industry must seize current ‘momentum’ says Urenco CEO

Urenco Chief Executive Officer Boris Schucht stressed the importance of delivery, as he spoke during the opening panel event at the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference.

Taking part in the executive panel on April 19 at The Hague, Boris emphasised that three drivers had put the nuclear energy industry back in train: climate change, security of supply, and momentum. 

He highlighted examples of that momentum, including the Netherlands looking to build two new power plants, Poland’s plan for six, and the US planning to extend its nuclear capacity to 200GW. 

Boris said: “This momentum covers…the continued operation of the existing fleet, the deployment of the ongoing and new-build projects with existing nuclear technology, as well as deployment of the next generation of reactors.” 

But he added that the industry had to step up to seize the momentum. 

Boris said: “We should not forget momentum needs to be fuelled. It needs success stories otherwise there is a risk that it stops fast.

“We as an industry have to use this momentum by delivering and by showing progress in our projects and our learning curves.

“We have good stories: Barakah in the United Arab Emirates. And the Finish reactor is finally online - congratulations. But this will be the biggest challenge for us and the industry. We have to deliver to fuel the momentum.”

On the same day, Urenco sponsored and hosted a Special event at the art museum Kunstmuseum Den Haag for delegates. 

During his opening remarks, Managing Director of Urenco Nederland, Ad Louter, said the industry could take inspiration from the open mindedness and courage of artists whose work was housed in the famous museum, such as Piet Mondrian. This would help it deliver energy security and come up with sustainable solutions to challenges around net zero, for example. 

Then on April 20, Head of Sales at Urenco, Kirk Schnoebelen, told a Market Dynamics panel how Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) values were driving change in nuclear, with customers more prepared to be selective with whom they do business. The conflict in Ukraine had been one factor in this regard.  

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