- Advanced Nuclear Developer TerraPower Joins Expanding Coalition
- Net Zero Nuclear calls for unprecedented collaboration between leaders and industry in lead up to COP28
- Calls for recognition of nuclear as clean energy source and advocacy for the tripling of global nuclear capacity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy systems.
Washington DC, United States – 22 September 2023: Net Zero Nuclear, the initiative calling for collaboration among government, industry leaders and civil society to triple global nuclear capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, today announced TerraPower as a new partner in the initiative. TerraPower joins at the Platinum Partner level, boosting support for the initiative and bringing on board the first advanced nuclear development company to the group which was launched by World Nuclear Association (WNA) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), with the support of the Atoms4NetZero initiative launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at the World Nuclear Symposium in London earlier this month.
The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero joined as the first government partner at this month’s launch event. In recent days, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Centrus Energy announced their partnership in the effort.
In the lead up to COP28, which will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai later this year, Net Zero Nuclear aims to bring together political leaders and industry to engage in data-driven, actionable, solutions-focused dialogue to enable the rapid expansion of the global nuclear fleet and the acceleration of research and development into emerging nuclear technologies.
The initiative will work to ensure nuclear energy’s potential is fully realized in facilitating the decarbonization of global energy systems, by promoting the value of nuclear energy and removing barriers to its growth.
His Excellency Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, which leads the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program and its flagship Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, said: “Tapping into the full potential of nuclear energy to help us reach net zero and stop the most catastrophic effects of climate change will require innovative and visionary partners. TerraPower’s commitment brings additional expertise and innovation to the Net Zero Nuclear initiative, and I welcome their partnership. I look forward to working with them as we push ahead in our shared work to ensure nuclear power is a driving force in the transformative shift we need towards Net Zero.”
Chris Levesque, TerraPower’s President and CEO, stated: “The only way to successfully meet our net zero targets on-time is with the most advanced nuclear technologies and industry professionals who are committed to making things happen right now. TerraPower is bringing new, innovative solutions to market, including our Natrium technology that is currently being developed near a retiring coal-facility in the U.S. The Natrium plant is the only technology that offers 24/7 baseload energy along with an energy storage system that can provide dispatchable power to the grid when wind and solar are not available. The Net Zero Nuclear initiative will be vital to the industry’s efforts at COP to ensure the true benefits of next generation nuclear power are understood and accounted for as the world discusses how to meet zero-emissions targets. We are proud to be a partner in these efforts.”
Dr Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association said: “Maximizing the benefits of nuclear technology to address our climate and energy security challenges will require a combination of proven technology and new innovative products. New technology, like that being developed by Terrapower, will help accelerate global decarbonization and improve people’s lives. I am delighted Terrapower are joining our Net Zero Nuclear initiative.”
