Nuclear Power Europe, part of Europe’s largest power industry networking event POWER-GEN Europe, has announced survey results confirming a revival of nuclear power in the European energy marketplace. Following the record-breaking POWER-GEN Europe 2010 exhibition and conference held in Amsterdam recently, one hundred per cent of industry experts agreed that a nuclear energy renaissance is underway in Europe.
With 19 nuclear power plants under construction across six countries within Europe, and nuclear policies being reviewed, the whole of Europe could well follow in the footsteps of Italy, which recently overturned a public referendum banning nuclear power that had been in place for two decades. The survey, which was conducted amongst experts from global utility companies and energy firms, also reflected industry-wide optimism regarding the prospects for suppliers to the European nuclear sector in 2011. More than 63% of participants predicted growth in the coming year.
“There has been a clear shift in opinion in favour of nuclear energy in key European markets,” says Tim Probert, conference director at Nuclear Power Europe 2011. “In the last year alone we have seen a commitment to developing and cultivating nuclear power around the world, and no more so than in Europe. It is no coincidence that this has occurred during a time that has seen public support grow amidst concerns over climate change and the reliability of foreign energy supplies. In a year that has seen Italy make a dramatic u-turn on nuclear policy, we could see a trend emerge throughout Europe whereby several countries will review their long-standing positions on nuclear power. Our survey underlines the emerging paradigm, and is the clearest indication that Europe’s nuclear renaissance is much more than media hype.”
The results of the survey were announced ahead of Nuclear Power Europe 2011, which is being held at Fiera Milano City in Milan, from 7-9 June. Visitors to the event will also have access to Europe’s leading renewable and nuclear energy exhibitions, POWER-GEN Europe 2011, and Renewable Energy World Europe 2011. In addition, all three events will be complemented by a comprehensive conference programme, providing participants with a deeper understanding of a wide range of industry issues.