Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, led officials from around the world in an in-depth discussion of nuclear power at the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties, amid growing global optimism about nuclear power's potential to help achieve net zero emissions.  Dr Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), opened the event by declaring that "nuclear power is making a comeback, and in a powerful way".  

However, Dr Birol said the international financial community has so far "failed" to provide the level playing field needed for nuclear power to help the world tackle its most pressing challenges, from climate change to sustainable development.  I didn't give them a passing grade."  

Mr. Grossi played the part of a journalist who interviewed Dr. Birol at the IAE-led event at the #Atoms4Climate Pavilion, the first nuclear themed pavilion in the 27-year history of the United Nations Climate Change Conference.  Mr. Grossi then held extensive talks with senior officials from Poland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), who expressed their views on the current and future challenges and prospects of nuclear power.  

Amid the global climate and energy crisis, countries around the world are showing new interest in nuclear power, including those that previously tried to phase out the technology.  Driving this change is not just the need for low-carbon energy, but also safe and reliable energy.  Nuclear power provides both.  

"This is a very special moment," Mr. Grossi said at the #Atoms4Climate pavilion at the COP27 conference hosted by Egypt in Sharm el-Sheikh.  It is the first time in the history of the COP that there has been a nuclear pavilion, and it is a sign of The Times."  

"Countries that have said goodbye to nuclear power, they are rethinking their plans," said Dr Birol, adding that the IEA has been in talks with Belgium and Germany.  "We are very pleased that both governments are now delaying their nuclear phase-out plans in recognition of the role nuclear power plays in addressing this energy security challenge," he said.  

In addition, another group of countries are now considering extending the life of their existing nuclear power reactors, the cheapest form of low-carbon electricity, to meet this challenge, said Dr Birol.  Another group of countries is rolling out plans to build new reactors, including the Netherlands and Poland and seemingly "surprising" countries such as Japan and South Korea, Dr. Birol said.  

His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Nuclear Energy Corporation, said that the UAE, once a nuclear novice, is now a nuclear power operating country and has put three large reactors into operation in recent years and will soon complete the construction of a fourth, which will provide 25% of the country's electricity.  He added that the UAE, like all new entrants, has worked closely with the IAEA throughout the development of its nuclear power program.  

He added that as billions of people around the world strive for economic development and improved living standards, they will need more energy to do so.  "When a country's GDP growth reaches a certain milestone, about $2,000 per capita, energy demand starts to rise sharply and then stabilizes at $20,000 per capita," says Mr Al Hammadi.  Today, half of the world's population is at or above the $2,000 milestone and needs more energy.  Nuclear power is one of the most advanced ways to meet this growing demand for energy."  

According to the International Energy Agency, nuclear capacity needs to double by 2050 if net zero is to be achieved.  To fulfil its potential, says Mr Birol, the nuclear industry must do a better job of delivering its projects on time and on budget.  Innovation must also play an important role, he added, with small modular reactors (SMRs) likely to expand the options for more countries, including developing ones, to use nuclear power as the backbone of a low-carbon energy system with a high proportion of variable renewables such as solar and wind.  

Kathleen Huff, assistant secretary for nuclear energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, says financing will be a key challenge for such projects.  "Export financing is going to be needed," Ms. Huff said, adding, "If we're going to get the project built on time, all parties need to be actively involved.  

Several other countries, such as Poland and the United States, are looking at nuclear power as an alternative to coal, including at or near the site of former coal-fired power plants.  Poland, for example, recently announced plans to build several large reactors as a way to reduce its reliance on coal, one of the most carbon-intensive fossil fuels.  Such a plan could also help ensure a just economic transition for the communities where fossil facilities are located, ensuring that they can continue to earn new careers and high salaries in the nuclear field.  

"In Poland, when you talk about climate transition, you mean energy transition," said Sebastian Barkowski, Poland's special envoy for International climate and energy cooperation.  Noting that 75 percent of Poland's electricity comes from coal, Mr. Grossi added: "Nuclear power must find a place in the demanding long-term process of energy transition and climate transition, which we must pursue in the next few years."  

He also noted that flexible SMRS could mark a breakthrough in the way nuclear power works and help decarbonise the economy.  By locating SMRS near emission sources, such as fertilizer plants or steel plants or for hydrogen production, they can directly decarbonize these industries by providing low carbon heat.  

"There are very few expandable sources of clean heat," Ms. Huff said.  Don't forget: a 1GW reactor is actually 3GW of thermal energy.  When we turn this very valuable heat into electricity, it's not even the most efficient way we can use nuclear power.  I really hope we can all recognise this and that it can play a role in helping renewables in an area where it is very difficult to decarbonise with renewables alone."  

WANO CEO Ingemar Engkvist said that with the emergence of multiple technological innovations and growing global demand, the nuclear industry needs to do all it can to attract a younger generation of talent and focus on overall diversity if it is to succeed.  "We need all the talent we can get," he said.