nuclea'10. Third industry meeting of the Swiss nuclear forum. Framework conditions for the renaissance of nuclear power

The Swiss government and the Swiss power industry agree: Switzerland will have to renew its nuclear power plant park in a foreseeable time frame so as to prevent a threatenting gap in electricity supply. At the same time, the present lowest-CO₂ electricity mix in any industrialized country ensured by hydroelectric power and nuclear power must be safeguarded. The power industry is meeting these challenges by actively planning the replacement of existing nuclear power plants and the construction of new ones. Three framework applications for permits have been filed, and the first tenders connected to the new construction projects have been invited. This raises the question not only whether Switzerland is willing to embark on this project of a century, but also whether the country is able to do so. What are the factors helping nuclear power to achieve a breakthrough in Switzerland and its neighboring countries, provided there is public acceptance? Besides providing the necessary technical and economic resources it is the need for political and economic acceptance of nuclear power which constitutes an ongoing task for nuclear industry. nuclea is considered the meeting point of the nuclear industry in Switzerland. nuclea'10, held on November 11, 2010, served for exchanges of information between the nuclear industry and other stakeholders in nuclear power. More than 200 participants from public authorities, politics, the power industry, research and development, and vendors and service providers attended the informative and always interesting event accompanied by an industrial exhibition. (orig.)