Nuclear Technology as Energy

Independent Films, Technology

IAEA SHARES NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

About 60 countries, most of them in the developing world have turned to the International Atomic Energy Agency for guidance in meeting their energy needs. Atomic Energy Agency expert ,Anne Starz, reports that while the interest in nuclear power is worldwide, the most interest has come from South East Asia. At a recent meeting, co-sponsored by Japan and the United States, participants discussed existing challenges and how to further develop their nuclear infrastructure. According to the IAEA, one of the major barriers for developing countries is the upfront capital cost of the technology. Participants had the opportunity to hear from countries with existing programs, in particular about what is involved in nuclear power start-up, long-term obligations, and benefits of nuclear power. Most countries are interested in nuclear energy for security and to offset energy crises due to climate change. The IAEA projects that between 10 and 25 new countries are likely to bring their first reactors on-line by 2030. Currently, 29 countries in the world operate nuclear power plants.

Transcripts / Production notes / Scripts

Anne Starz, Nuclear Policy Expert, International Atomic Energy Agency:
“The interest in nuclear power is actually in most of the regions of the world. The areas were we see the most number of countries interested is in South East Asia. There are also a number of countries in Africa. There are fewer in Europe, mostly because Europe is one of the regions that already currently have a number of operating power plants; and then the Middle East.”
4. Med shot, Anne Starz at meeting
5. Med shot, Iranian delegate at meeting
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Holger Rogner, Nuclear Planning Expert, International Atomic Energy Agency:
“One of the major barriers for developing countries is the upfront capital cost of the technology. It is also an issue to look at the full responsibility that comes along with nuclear power, it is a hundred year plus-commitment. And you have to deal with long term issues such as waste disposal and decommissioning. ”
7. Various shots, delegates interacting at meeting
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Nyarko, Director, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission:
“Ghana is interested in nuclear power for two main reasons: one is the energy security and the other is energy demand. Regarding energy security, we are looking at the problem of energy shortage during droughts and a high cost of crude oil. Ghana is now relying basically on hydro and thermal. And for the past two decades Ghana has experienced four major energy crises due to climate change. The droughts dried up the rivers and the hydro power could not come on and then the crude oil also became very expensive.”

FILE – 2009, KUDANKULAM, INDIA

9. Various shots, construction of containment building of Kudankulam nuclear power plant

STORYLINE:

About 60 countries, most of them in the developing world have turned to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for guidance as they consider launching nuclear power programmes to meet their energy needs.

This week at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, representatives from more than 50 nations had the opportunity to learn from each other’s experience in developing and managing their national nuclear infrastructure.

IAEA’s Nuclear Policy Expert Anne Starz said “the interest in nuclear power is actually in most of the regions of the world” and “the areas where we see the most number of countries interested is in South East Asia.”

At the meeting, co-sponsored by Japan and the United States, participants explored how to better develop and evaluate their country’s nuclear infrastructure and discussed existing challenges, concerns and potential means of resolving those issues.

According to the IAEA, one of the major barriers for developing countries is the upfront capital cost of the technology.

Participants also had the opportunity to hear about the nuclear power start-up experiences of countries with existing programmes and sharpen their understanding of long-term obligations and commitments for the beneficial, responsible and sustainable introduction of nuclear power in their countries.

Managing and evaluating the development of the national infrastructure for nuclear power was the main topic of the workshop. Nuclear power plant licensing, developing national safeguards and security capabilities were also on the agenda.

Nuclear power is of interest to many countries as a stable and clean source of energy that can help to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Benjamin Nyarko from Ghana Atomic Energy Commission said that his country is interested in nuclear for energy security and demand especially after having had “experienced four major energy crises due to climate change.”

The IAEA projects that between 10 and 25 new countries are likely to bring their first reactors on-line by 2030.

Currently, 29 countries in the world operate nuclear power plants.

Tags

• peaceful use
• Energy
• nuclear technology

Directors:

• Tom Osborne, UNTV

Producers:

• Mo Sacirbey