WNE 2023: the nuclear industry takes action
Fighting global warming, innovating and recruiting with the common goal of achieving sustainable energy sovereignty by 2050, participants at the World Nuclear Exhibition 2023 (WNE) are in the business of turning words into action. We look back at the 6th edition of the international civil nuclear exhibition, dedicated to the renaissance of nuclear power and its future prospects.
« Let’s continue! »
Nuclear power is a long-term business. And yet, in just two years, things have moved on at a breathtaking pace. In 2021, the world's leading players welcomed the fact that nuclear power was being considered in the fight against climate change. This year, the international nuclear industry is positioning itself to reinvent nuclear power, based on the three pillars of innovation, skills and support from international and European finance. And the common goals of all industry players are to combat global warming and promote energy sovereignty.
Connections, meetings, dialogues: in these complex geopolitical times, the 6th edition of the World Nuclear Exhibition was determined to be open to the world and to new ideas. An attitude underscored by WNE President Sylvie Bermann, who urged the world's
nuclear players on with her call to action: "let's continue!".
WNE, the results of the 3 days
A resounding comeback...
For Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the return of nuclear energy is "resounding on several levels".
Countries that had turned their backs on nuclear power have changed their minds, because it is a source of energy security, has low CO2 emissions and is competitive
...with the overall goal of sustainability
Nuclear power is global. Never before have governments talked so much about nuclear power. This will continue at COP 28.
Common sense is making a comeback in countries around the world. Nuclear power meets the twin challenges of sustainability and environmental protection, declare Rafael Grossi, IAEA CEO.
Nuclear power is no longer taboo
At the inauguration, Thierry Breton made his position clear. For the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, " Without nuclear power, we won't be able to achieve our climate goals. The role of nuclear power is essential for a low-carbon continent ". This energy challenge is compounded by the need to double our production capacity by 2050.
Thierry Breton announced his intention to create a European alliance for SMRs, along the lines of those already in place for batteries and hydrogen...
An ambitious French strategy
For Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the French Minister for Energy Transition, "France is fully committed to both the front-end and the back-end of the nuclear industry, with partners such as Orano and Framatome".
But France is not going it alone. In response to Thierry Breton's comments, the Minister added: "I am counting on the European Commission to develop an ambitious strategy. We need vision and dedicated funding. The French nuclear industry is ready to be part of the recovery". With strategic challenges such as “building a European supply chain to be stronger together."
Attracting the younger generation
Relaunching the nuclear industry is the biggest industrial project in France at the start of the 21st century. Nearly 100,000 skilled workers, welders and nuclear engineers will need to be recruited to this industry of excellence,
Agnès Pannier-Runacher (Twitter @AgnesRunacher)
In partnership with Gifen, this year's WNE launched the “Connect 2 Nuclear” program, which aims to raise awareness of the nuclear industry among students in target schools, from high school students to those with 5 years of higher education. During the three days of the show, the Gifen Attractivité booth hosted presentations by Orano and other partner companies. Presentations were given on the diversity of professions and their future prospects.
And what did the young people think?
In the aisles, we met Miss America !
Already involved at the OECD's International Energy Summit in October, Grace Stanke is a Miss America with a difference. With a degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin, she is a passionate advocate for nuclear energy,
and participated in the WNE panel discussion "Building a Talent Pipeline for Nuclear Industry Success " on Thursday November 30.
2 awards for Orano at the #WNE Awards 2023
Of the 5 Orano projects nominated for the WNE, 2 were awarded in the "Nuclear Safety" and "Innovation in Operational Excellence" categories.
- Oranef, winner in the Nuclear Safety category, is a collapsible drone that can be inserted into a 100 mm diameter endoscope hole. Coupled with the DosiX fiber optic sensor, it embodies Orano's desire to innovate to enhance operator safety.
- EasyGel Protect Nuclear (EGPN), winner in the Operational Excellence category, is an alternative solution for the extraction of ultrafine particles during civil engineering drilling in controlled areas.
They talk about Orano
The future of nuclear energy is now! Politicians, nuclear industry leaders and heads of international institutions were among the many visitors to our stand.
Luc Rémont (CEO of EDF), Agnès Pannier-Runacher (French Minister for Energy Transition), Rafael Grossi (DG of the IAEA), and many other stakeholders and customers, all counting on Orano's expertise to drive the nuclear revival.
They trust us
WNE was an opportunity to communicate on various partnerships and contract signatures.
"Orano is proud to support OPG by providing an enriched uranium product for the new Darlington nuclear project", said Nicolas Maes, Orano’s CEO.
We applaud OPG's determination to use breakthrough technology to help meet Canada's climate change goals. The development of SMR technologies is key to the production of low-carbon electricity, which is essential in the fight against global warming".
For Jacques Peythieu, Orano's SEVP, Customers & Strategy, the signing of the contract is also "symbolic": "This is the first time we have sold enriched uranium to Canada. This enrichment contract covers the first fuel core and subsequent reloads for
the first SMR developed in Canada. It paves the way for future deployments".
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