NEA Press Communiqués 2004

V.F.

Date

The economic case for nuclear energy is compelling
During a panel debate today in Brussels , Belgium , Luis Echávarri, Director-General of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) said that "the competitiveness of nuclear energy continues to improve. If the decision to include nuclear in the energy mix is made on economic grounds alone, then the case for nuclear energy can be compelling. " Mr. Echávarri's comments came during the panel debate "Nuclear: A persuasive economic option", organised as part of the European Nuclear Assembly.

Debate on nuclear energy sparks significant interest
During a session of the World Energy Congress that he chaired earlier today, Luis  Echávarri, Director-General of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), stated that "this debate on nuclear energy could not be timelier. The coming years will be crucial in determining what contribution nuclear energy will make to the world energy supply and to sustainable development. Experience shows that as a large-scale, nearly carbon-free energy source, it is one of the cheapest ways to reduce GHG emissions."

New data and projections on uranium just released
In the just-published Uranium 2003: Resources, Production and Demand (also known as the "Red Book"), the world uranium resource base is found to be adequate to meet future projected requirements. Questions remain however, as to whether new production capacity can be developed within the time frame required to meet future uranium demand.

New 2003 nuclear energy data just released
The latest official figures released today by the NEA reveal that nuclear electricity generation in OECD member countries decreased by nearly 2% in 2003 in comparison with 2002. Prolonged inspections and maintenance outages in Japan and the United States were the main reasons for the fall in overall nuclear electricity production. Despite this decrease, nuclear power plants still provided some 23 % of total electricity generated in OECD member countries in 2003.

Expert review gives high marks to a Swiss safety study on a radioactive waste disposal concept
The NEA has just released a report entitled Safety of Disposal of Spent Fuel, High-level Waste and Long-lived Intermediate Level Waste in Switzerland. This document brings together the results of an international, independent peer review that examined the post-closure radiological safety assessment for disposal in the Opalinus Clay of the Zürcher Weinland. (27 April 2004)

New report reviews the role of government in the field of nuclear energy
The NEA just released a report that addresses the roles and responsibilities of government in the field of nuclear energy. It provides data and analyses on how these have evolved and identifies future challenges for governments, particularly with respect to the development of competition in electricity markets.

Dr. Gail Marcus appointed new Deputy Director-General of the NEA
The Secretary-General of the OECD, Mr. Donald Johnston, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gail H. Marcus as Deputy Director-General of the NEA, succeeding Ms. Carol Kessler. Dr. Marcus takes up her duties at the NEA on 5 April 2004.

Revised Nuclear Third Party Liability Conventions improve victims' rights to compensation
The signing of the Protocols to amend the Paris Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy and the Brussels Convention Supplementary to the Paris Convention will take place on 12 February, at OECD headquarters. The revised Conventions will allow for a considerable increase in the amount of compensation available to victims of a nuclear accident and for the expansion of the scope of application of the Paris Convention. (11 February 2004).

NEA Press communiqués from 1998