Nuclear energy in the mix

Question 1

Nuclear energy is a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels and accounts for almost x% of the electricity produced in the EU. However, in the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the 2011 catastrophe in Fukushima, nuclear energy has become highly controversial. While Member States choose whether to include nuclear power in their energy mix, EU legislation aims at improving the … of nuclear power stations and ensuring that nuclear waste is ….

Answer 1

Nuclear energy is a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels and accounts for almost 26% of the electricity produced in the EU. However, in the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the 2011 catastrophe in Fukushima, nuclear energy has become highly controversial. While Member States choose whether to include nuclear power in their energy mix, EU legislation aims at improving the safety standards of nuclear power stations and ensuring that nuclear waste is safely handled and disposed of.

Question 2

Which country prohibited in 2021 the mining of Uranium?

Answer 2

Greenland

Question 3

Which are countries are the top 4 in Uranium reserves?

Answer 3

Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan and Russia.

Question 4

Which are top 4 Uranium producers in 2021?

Answer 4

Kazakhstan, Namibia, Canada and Australia.

Question 5

According to the “…,” a biennial report published by the OECD … and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world’s identified uranium resources increase when prices are higher, as more costly deposits become economically viable.

As of the latest available data, the world’s identified uranium resources are estimated to be sufficient for over x years of supply based on current demand.

Answer 5

According to the “Red Book,” a biennial report published by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world’s identified uranium resources increase when prices are higher, as more costly deposits become economically viable.

As of the latest available data, the world’s identified uranium resources are estimated to be sufficient for over 100 years of supply based on current demand.

Question 6

The EPR™ reactor is a new Generation … Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) designed and manufactured by … with a power generation capacity of up to … MWe, which places it among the most powerful reactors in the world. A direct descendant of the last models manufactured by … in France (N4) and … in Germany (Konvoi), the EPR™ pressurized water reactor is based on tried-and-tested technologies and principles. This reactor design was previously called European Pressurized Reactor or Evolutionary Power Reactor, but now it is simply named EPR, a trademark by ….

Answer 6

The EPR™ reactor is a new Generation III+ Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) designed and manufactured by AREVA with a power generation capacity of up to 1660 MWe, which places it among the most powerful reactors in the world. A direct descendant of the last models manufactured by AREVA in France (N4) and Siemens in Germany (Konvoi), the EPR™ pressurized water reactor is based on tried-and-tested technologies and principles. This reactor design was previously called European Pressurized Reactor or Evolutionary Power Reactor, but now it is simply named EPR, a trademark by AREVA.

Question 7

From a safety point of view, the EPR™ reactor ensures a very high level thanks to diversified, redundant … and … safety systems to drastically reduce of the probability of severe accidents compared to existing Generation II reactors as well as to ensure that there will be no impact on the surrounding area, whatever the situation. In particular, it is highly resistant to external incidents (…, etc.) and features multiple protected power sources and water reserves.

Answer 7

From a safety point of view, the EPR™ reactor ensures a very high level thanks to diversified, redundant active and passive safety systems to drastically reduce of the probability of severe accidents compared to existing Generation II reactors as well as to ensure that there will be no impact on the surrounding area, whatever the situation. In particular, it is highly resistant to external incidents (large commercial airplane crash, etc.) and features multiple protected power sources and water reserves.

Question 8

Through … the EPR™ reactor achieves a significant reduction in … and production of ….

As of August 2020, five units are under construction – in Finland (…), in France (…), in … (Taishan-1 and -2) and in the United Kingdom (…).

Answer 8

Through improved thermal efficiency the EPR™ reactor achieves a significant reduction in uranium consumption and production of long-lived radioactive waste.

As of August 2020, five units are under construction – in Finland (Olkiluoto), in France (Flamanville), in China (Taishan-1 and -2) and in the United Kingdom (Hinkley Point C).

Question 9

On …, a new Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices (EU 2022/1854) to reduce the energy bills for European citizens and businesses was adopted, based on a Commission proposal from 14 September x. It includes measures to reduce electricity demand to help lower the electricity costs for consumers and suggests a temporary revenue cap on electricity producers using technologies with lower costs, such as …. The Commission proposes to set the cap for those “inframarginal” producers to €x/MWh.

Answer 9

On 6 October 2022, a new Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices (EU 2022/1854) to reduce the energy bills for European citizens and businesses was adopted, based on a Commission proposal from 14 September 2022. It includes measures to reduce electricity demand to help lower the electricity costs for consumers and suggests a temporary revenue cap on electricity producers using technologies with lower costs, such as renewables, nuclear and lignite. The Commission proposes to set the cap for those “inframarginal” producers to €180/MWh.

Question 10

Nuclear energy has avoided the emission of over … gigatonnes of carbon dioxide since ….

Answer 10

Nuclear energy has avoided the emission of over 63 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide since 1971.

Question 11

The International Energy Agency projects that nuclear energy capacity needs to increase by x% by 2050 to achieve net zero carbon emission goals

Answer 11

The International Energy Agency projects that nuclear energy capacity needs to increase by 100% by 2050 to achieve net zero carbon emission goals

Question 12

Nearly x parties have recognized the potential for mitigation through nuclear energy in their nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies.

Answer 12

Nearly 30 parties have recognized the potential for mitigation through nuclear energy in their nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies.

Question 13

Nuclear energy has a median life cycle emission of x g of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour, lower than solar and wind.

Answer 13

Nuclear energy has a median life cycle emission of 5.1 g of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour, lower than solar and wind.

Question 14

The global market for nuclear products, services, and fuel is estimated to be worth $x-$x billion over the next 10 years, stimulating economic development and job creation.

Answer 14

The global market for nuclear products, services, and fuel is estimated to be worth $500-$740 billion over the next 10 years, stimulating economic development and job creation.

Question 15

Nuclear is the most landefficient energy source, requiring up to x times less land per MWh than
solar and x times less than onshore wind farms

Answer 15

Nuclear is the most landefficient energy source, requiring up to 27 times less land per MWh than
solar and 330 times less than onshore wind farms

Question 16

Average age of EU nuclear plants fleet is

Answer 16

31 to 40 years. A vast majority of them have been operating more than 31 years as of 2021.

Question 17

According to the report, each GW of installed nuclear capacity in the EU:

• triggers €x billion in annual investments both in the nuclear and connected economic sectors.
• provides permanent and local employment to just under x people
• generates €x Bn in EU GDP.

Answer 17

According to the report, each GW of installed nuclear capacity in the EU:

• triggers €9.3 billion in annual investments both in the nuclear and connected economic sectors.
• provides permanent and local employment to just under 10,000 people
• generates €4.3 Bn in EU GDP.

Question 18

In 2021, there was 186.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of nuclear energy available in the
EU, which constituted x % of Europe’s energy mix. The countries with the biggest share of nuclear
energy in their energy mix at that time were: France (x %), Sweden (25 %), Slovakia (23 %), Bulgaria
(22 %) and Slovenia (20 %). According to Eurostat data for 2021, nuclear energy was the largest
single source of electricity generation in the EU, accounting for x % of all electricity produced.
This constitutes a decline compared to previous years, as in 2011 the share of nuclear energy in the
EU’s electricity generation was 28.5 %, and back in 2001 it was 32.5 %.

Answer 18

In 2021, there was 186.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of nuclear energy available in the
EU, which constituted 13 % of Europe’s energy mix. The countries with the biggest share of nuclear
energy in their energy mix at that time were: France (41 %), Sweden (25 %), Slovakia (23 %), Bulgaria
(22 %) and Slovenia (20 %). According to Eurostat data for 2021, nuclear energy was the largest
single source of electricity generation in the EU, accounting for 25.1 % of all electricity produced.
This constitutes a decline compared to previous years, as in 2011 the share of nuclear energy in the
EU’s electricity generation was 28.5 %, and back in 2001 it was 32.5 %.

Question 19

In 2021, EU Member States with nuclear electricity production generated 731 terawatt hours (TWh)
of nuclear electricity, much lower than the … peak of 900 TWh.

Answer 19

In 2021, EU Member States with nuclear electricity production generated 731 terawatt hours (TWh)
of nuclear electricity, much lower than the 2004 peak of 900 TWh.

Question 20

Some EU Member States have tried to break the cycle of dependence. …, … and … have signed contracts with … to replace Russian nuclear fuel imports. Slovakia signed a
memorandum of understanding with … that includes ‘development of a
fully European nuclear fuel product

Answer 20

Some EU Member States have tried to break the cycle of dependence. Bulgaria, Czechia and Finland have signed contracts with Westinghouse to replace Russian nuclear fuel imports. Slovakia signed a
memorandum of understanding with French company Framatome that includes ‘development of a
fully European nuclear fuel product

Question 21

Two meetings of the ‘nuclear alliance’ in February and March 2023 led to the signature of a joint statement in May 2023. The document was signed by …

Answer 21

Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, the United Kingdom (guest) and Italy (observer).

Question 22

The ‘friends of renewables’ met for the first time during the March 2023 energy council meeting and continued their meetings in June and July 2023. The participating countries are ….. Some countries, like … take part in both formats.

Answer 22

The ‘friends of renewables’ met for the first time during the March 2023 energy council meeting and continued their meetings in June and July 2023. The participating countries are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Some countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands, take part in both formats.

Question 23

Who is Poland cooperating with for its first nuclear power plant?

Answer 23

The US company Westinghouse

Question 24

In 2023, demand for natural uranium in the EU accounted for approximately 22% of global uranium requirements.

Answer 24

In 2023, demand for natural uranium in the EU accounted for approximately 22% of global uranium requirements.

Question 25

Top 4 Uranium suppliers to the EU and shares

Answer 25

1. Canada 33% 2. Russia 23% 3. Kazakhstan 21% 4. Niger 14%

Question 26

On November 22: Construction of new nuclear reactors: the General Court **...** the action brought by **...** to contest Hungarian investment aid approved by the Commission.

Answer 26

On November 22: Construction of new nuclear reactors: the General Court **dismisses** the action brought by **Austria** to contest Hungarian investment aid approved by the Commission.

Question 27

Recent fission plants have cost over €**x** billion to build.

Answer 27

Recent fission plants have cost over €10 billion to build.

Question 28

When did Germany close its last nuclear power plant?

Answer 28

April 2023

Question 29

What is the calendar for nuclear closure in Spain?

Answer 29

4 reactors by 2030, all the fleet by 2035.

Question 30

ENS (**…**) acts as an umbrella association for **…** national networks of nuclear professionals. The Society encourages the networking of scientists and engineers between different countries and organises meetings devoted to scientific and technical matters and communication on nuclear applications. ENS members are **…** who provide their independent expertise, free from corporate influence. ENS members are nuclear sector professionals, including **…**, **…**, and **…**.

Answer 30

ENS acts as an umbrella association for **22** national networks of nuclear professionals. The Society encourages the networking of scientists and engineers between different countries and organises meetings devoted to scientific and technical matters and communication on nuclear applications. ENS members are **volunteers** who provide their independent expertise, free from corporate influence. ENS members are nuclear sector professionals, including **academics**, **researchers**, and **experts**.

Question 31

The **...** **...** **...** **...** (REMdb) was set-up in **...** to bring together and store in a harmonised way environmental radioactivity data produced in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident. The main two objectives of this database are: * to keep historical records of **...**, for further scientific studies * to store the radioactivity monitoring data of the **...** for environmental radioactivity monitoring reports. These reports provide information to the EU Member States on the radioactivity levels in the environment in the European Union, as stated in Art. 35 and 36 of the Euratom Treaty. The database contains information from the EU Member States, as well as other European countries, for both environmental samples and foodstuffs from **...**. To date, the total number of data records stored in the REMdb exceeds **x** million, providing the scientific community, authorities and public with a valuable archive of environmental radioactivity monitoring results in Europe.

Answer 31

The **Radioactivity** **Environmental** **Monitoring** **database** (REMdb) was set-up in **1988** to bring together and store in a harmonised way environmental radioactivity data produced in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident. The main two objectives of this database are: * to keep historical records of **the Chernobyl acciden**t, for further scientific studies * to store the radioactivity monitoring data of the **EU Member States** for environmental radioactivity monitoring reports. These reports provide information to the EU Member States on the radioactivity levels in the environment in the European Union, as stated in Art. 35 and 36 of the Euratom Treaty. The database contains information from the EU Member States, as well as other European countries, for both environmental samples and foodstuffs from **1984**. To date, the total number of data records stored in the REMdb exceeds **5** million, providing the scientific community, authorities and public with a valuable archive of environmental radioactivity monitoring results in Europe.

Question 32

In the PINC of 2017, The Commission predicts a decline in nuclear generation capacity at EU level up to **x**, taking into account the decisions of some Member States to phase out nuclear energy or toreduce its share in their energy mix. This trend would be reversed by **x** as new reactors are predicted to be connected to the grid and the lifetime of others will be extended

Answer 32

In the PINC of 2017, The Commission predicts a decline in nuclear generation capacity at EU level up to **2025**, taking into account the decisions of some Member States to phase out nuclear energy or toreduce its share in their energy mix. This trend would be reversed by **2030** as new reactors are predicted to be connected to the grid and the lifetime of others will be extended

Question 33

There are Russian nuclear reactors in **...** (two), **...** (six), **...** (two), **...** (four) and **...** (five, with one more under construction). **...** has signed an agreement to build two more such reactors, whereas **...** has decided to cancel its planned Russian-built nuclear power plants. In February 2023, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on **...** to face sanctions.

Answer 33

There are Russian nuclear reactors in **Bulgaria** (two), **Czechia** (six), **Finland** (two), **Hungary** (four) and **Slovakia** (five, with one more under construction). **Hungary** has signed an agreement to build two more such reactors, whereas **Finland** has decided to cancel its planned Russian-built nuclear power plants. In February 2023, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on **Rosatom** to face sanctions.

Question 34

According to data from the World Nuclear Association, an industry organisation, the EU sources **...** % of its natural uranium from Russia and counts on its enrichment services in **...** % of cases

Answer 34

According to data from the World Nuclear Association, an industry organisation, the EU sources **20** % of its natural uranium from Russia and counts on its enrichment services in **26** % of cases

Question 35

Some EU Member States have tried to break the cycle of dependence. **...**, **...** and **...** have signed contracts with **...** to replace Russian nuclear fuel imports. **...** signed a memorandum of understanding with French company Framatome that includes 'development of a fully European nuclear fuel product'. A good reference point is **...**, which was fully dependent on Russian nuclear fuel until the early 2000s. The country managed to switch to American fuel, but the shift took nearly **...**.

Answer 35

Some EU Member States have tried to break the cycle of dependence. **Bulgaria**, **Czechia** and **Finland** have signed contracts with **Westinghouse** to replace Russian nuclear fuel imports. **Slovakia** signed a memorandum of understanding with French company Framatome that includes 'development of a fully European nuclear fuel product'. A good reference point is **Ukraine**, which was fully dependent on Russian nuclear fuel until the early 2000s. The country managed to switch to American fuel, but the shift took nearly **a decade**.

Question 36

The last Eurobarometer on nuclear energy production, conducted in **x**, showed that public opinion in the EU was strongly divided, with almost identical shares of respondents expressing support for (**x** %) and opposition to (**x** %) nuclear energy.

Answer 36

The last Eurobarometer on nuclear energy production, conducted in **2008**, showed that public opinion in the EU was strongly divided, with almost identical shares of respondents expressing support for (**44** %) and opposition to (**45** %) nuclear energy.

Question 37

Apart from France, a dedicated advocate of these solutions, there isstrong commitment towards nuclear energy in eastern Member States – **...**, **...**, **...**, **..** and **...**, which does not have nuclear power yet but plans to make it a considerable part of its energy mix

Answer 37

Apart from France, a dedicated advocate of these solutions, there isstrong commitment towards nuclear energy in eastern Member States – **Bulgaria**, **Czechia**, **Romania**, **Slovakia** and **Poland**, which does not have nuclear power yet but plans to make it a considerable part of its energy mix

Question 38

Austria, after a referendum in **x**, legally banned the development of nuclear power, the Danish parliament passed a law in **x** prohibiting power production from nuclear energy, and Germany shut down its last nuclear power plants in April **x**.

Answer 38

Austria, after a referendum in **1978**, legally banned the development of nuclear power, the Danish parliament passed a law in **1985** prohibiting power production from nuclear energy, and Germany shut down its last nuclear power plants in April **2023**.

Question 39

Right after the invasion, Belgium announced that it would delay its plans to phase out nuclear energy by **x** years, thus allowing two of its reactors to operate until **x**.

Answer 39

Right after the invasion, Belgium announced that it would delay its plans to phase out nuclear energy by **10** years, thus allowing two of its reactors to operate until **2035**.

Question 40

French President Macron presented a plan to build **x** new reactors and possibly **x** new generation reactors, prolong the use of existing power plants, accelerate permit-granting procedures and develop the skills necessary in the sector.

Answer 40

French President Macron presented a plan to build **14** new reactors and possibly **eight** new generation reactors, prolong the use of existing power plants, accelerate permit-granting procedures and develop the skills necessary in the sector.

Question 41

The interinstitutional negotiations on EMD were concluded on 14 December 2023. The provisional agreement between the co-legislators provides for the use of **...** in all investments in new electricity production from renewable and nuclear energy

Answer 41

The interinstitutional negotiations on EMD were concluded on 14 December 2023. The provisional agreement between the co-legislators provides for the use of **CfDs** in all investments in new electricity production from renewable and nuclear energy