European utilities objectives and requirements for future nuclear power programmes

As for the safety of nuclear power plants, most have been done, and the visible results have been achieved. The public acceptance of new reactors will stem from the perceptions that nuclear energy is really needed, that waste problem is reasonably solved, that nuclear power plants are environmentally clean, and that confidence can be put in the safety of existing nuclear power plants. However, in existing most advanced plants, the operation and maintenance are rather complex, and there is the room for simplification. Majority of European utilities have joined in European Utilities Requirements Association. Regarding the above mentioned perceptions as the prerequisite for the future development of nuclear energy, the circumstances are reported. The National Energy Plan approved by the Italian Government, the joint development of European Pressurized Reactor by France and Germany, the EUR action and international cooperation are the present situation of LWRs in Europe. Also the need, the present situation and the future prospect of fast reactors in Europe are reported. (K.I.)