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East Europe Nuclear Energy Summit 2012

November 15th - 16th , 2012, Prague, Czech Republic

Spearheaded by the Czech Republic, Eastern Europe is currently looking for ways to get its power at lower costs and is modernizing existing power plants and adding new nuclear power plants in order to lower energy costs and ensure their energy security.

EEU Nuclear Energy Summit 2012 featured the most prominent industry leaders and government officials from across the globe providing informative and inspiring discussions pertaining to East Europe’s current needs and their ambitious future. Czech Republic welcomed the international community to join this forum to discover new strategies and technologies that can assist in building a state-of-the-art nuclear energy infrastructure to accommodate the domestic and regional electricity market.

While there were a number of outstanding speakers at the event, the Day One Chairman of the summit, Mr. Peter Mitka from KPMG particularly stood out. Not only was he a brilliant Chairman, ensuring that the summit ran smoothly on day one. His long experience in this industry makes him a well-respected figure and the delegates listened intently to his comments and evaluation.

Following his welcome speech, he provided the participants a brief summary of the Nuclear Industry Development in Eastern Europe and ended with few questions to be discussed at the end of the day in the discussion panel. Following that Mr. Peter Faross, Director of Nuclear Safety & Fuel Cycle from European Commission presented a very comprehensive outlook about the updates of European Commission`s Roadmap 2050 and Stress Tests. His speech included rational scenarios, infrastructure needs and energy efficiency topics. Question and answer part of his presentation was even livelier than the presentation itself and his insight was greatly appreciated by all the delegates. “Nuclear and Renewable energy will fit perfectly together in the future of Europe`s Energy Mix”.

Opening session was finalized by Mr. Anatoly Safanov. Deputy Director General – State Secretary of JSC “Rusatom Overseas”, who pointed out the importance of International cooperation to maintain energy stability and nuclear security without political dogma and delusion in his speech. After the first networking break Mr. František Pazdera, Advisor to Deputy Minister for Industry & Energy from Ministry of Industry & Trade, analyzed the current situation in Czech Republic and pointed out ever growing energy needs of the country in detail by providing insight on strategic priorities, R&D and educational efforts. He presented the energy roadmap and mentioned the ongoing collaborative works with the various associations to achieve these goals. “We must replace coal with nuclear and gas. Considering where the gas prices are unsure, the importance of increasing the share of nuclear energy in the mix is more visible”

Mr. Alan Palin, Business Development Manager EMEA of Westinghouse Electric Company presented the ever increasing need for greater flexibility of output from generating plant where he pointed some of the innovative and cost efficient solutions to problematic key areas of operating new nuclear plants. His presentation was followed by Dr. Petr Kadečka, Chair of The Executive Committee of Nugenia, who gave a short presentation of SNETP and Nugenia: International Association dedicated to Safe, Reliable and Competitive Nuclear Energy Technology.

Following the lunch break Dr. Jari Tuunanen, VP of the European Nuclear Society and the Director of Department of Nuclear Waste Technology in Fortum provided insight on Nuclear Waste Management and Safe Management of Spent Fuel. He presented a showcase study from Finland in regards to latest innovations in spent fuel and waste management solutions. Mr. Aaron Michelin, the CEO of Enersense was next on the stage and analyzed the role of effective resource management in new build NPP projects with various examples.

Session was concluded by Mr. Adrian Jelev, Chief Engineer and Head of the Nuclear Safety Department of Nuclearelectrica SA, where he emphasized the Nuclear Power playing an increasingly important role in Romania`s Energy Strategy. He finalized his presentation with government`s target of changing shareholding structure which received many questions from the audience.

Final session of the day started with Mr. David Powell, Vice President of European Nuclear Power Plant Sales of GE Hitachi. He presented how crucially important is to continue to support nuclear energy in Europe in order to satisfy the growing energy needs by introducing facts and figures. He mentioned GE Hitachi`s efforts to achieve new goals through extensive research and empowering simplicity, predictability and safety in Gen III and Gen IV reactors.

The discussion panel of the day led by Mr.Peter Mitka where participants of the panel were: Dr. Gérard Cognet, Regional Nuclear Counsellor of Embassy of France, Mr. Anton S. Dedusenko, Project Director of CJSC Rusatom Overseas, Mr. Thomas Epron, General Manager of Areva in Czech Republic, Dr. József Rónaky, Director General of Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority and MirceaIonescu, Counselor to General Directorate for Energy and Environment from Romania submitted their expectations of strengthening international cooperation and opportunities for further expansion in the nuclear market. All parties were agreed upon the current difficulties of financing NPP projects where Rosatom`s financing approach in Akkuyu NPP was exampled and discussed in detail. Following the panel the day is finalized with Mr. Mitka`s closing remarks.

Day two started with opening remarks of the Chairman of Day Two, Mr. Konstantin Jacoby,Director and Senior Expert from EEE JacobyKo, where he summarized the day one as a possible migration of New Build NNP from Europe to China, SE Asian and Middle East as financing goes from liberalized to controlled markets, Germany`s decision of withdrawing from nuclear and the effects on the neighbors, nuclear vs. renewable or nuclear with renewables, transparency issues after April 2012 and financial difficulties faced by the industry.

Following his remarks Mr. Petr Brandejs, Vice President for Nuclear Safety from State Office for Nuclear Safety gave a presentation on implementation of safety frameworks in Czech Republic. His presentation followed by Dr. József Rónaky, Director General of Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority who provided the insight on Nuclear program in Hungary and the preparations for new units, HAEA`s preparatory work and WENRA`s safety objective`s for new NPP`s. Morning session was finalized with the presentation of Mr. Atila Sar, Chairman & CEO of Isis Group regarding application of protective coating systems in NPPs.

After the networking break Ms. Marta Žiaková, Chairperson of Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic gave a presentation on reconstruction and modernization of NPP`s in Slovakia, completion of Mochovce NPP Unit 3 & 4 and ongoing and future projects. Her presentation is followed by Mr. Xavier Faucher, Business Development Manager of Tractebel Engineering whom provided a case study of using domestic expertise of an engineering company to enhance international cooperation in the nuclear Industry. Mr. Kamil Blažek, Partner and Head of Projects from Kinstellar was the last speaker before the panel discussion of the day where he mentioned the key motivations for nuclear power, government driven NPP projects and financial institution’s nuclear financing concerns.

The day and the event concluded with the discussion panel led by Mr. Konstantin Jacoby where some of the European countries phasing out decision of nuclear power and its effects on east Europe`s nuclear development discussed thoroughly with the active participation of audience. The panelist were Ms. Marta Babicz, Head of European and Regional Energy Policy Unit from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Mr. Petr Binhack, Energy & Climate Policy Expert in European Policy Coordination Department from Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, Mr. Alan Palin, Business Development Manager EMEA of Westinghouse Electric Company, Mr. David Powell, Vice President, European Nuclear Power Plant Sales from GE Hitachi. They all provided very valuable insight on Energy Independency, possible changes on climate and sustainability issues, grid challenges and nuclear vs. renewable. “Germany`s decision from withdrawing from nuclear energy without consulting or informing its neighbors is unacceptable and should be criticized in a constructive manner”

We also want to extend our gratitude to all delegates for their active participations. Their questions spoke to the heart of the main issues facing the hospitality industry and their eagerness to build the industry is commendable.

Noppen would like to express a special thanks to the sponsors of the East Europe Nuclear Energy Summit 2012: Kobe Steel Ltd, ISIS Group, Minelco Ltd, HAMON Thermal Germany GmbH, Intelligent Systems Srl, Solvina International, Technetics Group France, REEL- Group, NKMNOELL Special Cranes GmbH, STROS - Sedlcanskestrojirny, a.s., I & C Energoa.s., SIMIC SpA. We have no doubt that your contribution helped in making this event a success.

East Europe Nuclear Energy Summit 2012

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