The first European Technological Platform for sustainable nuclear energy was officially established in Brussels last week. It is intended by the European Commission to “bring together researchers and businesses with a view to defining and implementing a strategic agenda of research and related strategy of development and application”. The mission of the Platform – conceived as a Forum of discussion and proposals for professionals who at various levels help to form the European scientific basis in the sector – will be to “pool ‘ideas’ relating to the future development of nuclear energy to identify the best research projects, through the presentation of recommendations to the EU institutions and the national governments that opt for nuclear energy”. According to the Commissioner responsible for science and research, Janez Potocnik, “a response needs to be given to three concerns: safety, economic competitiveness and consequences for the environment”, especially in view of the forthcoming EU Plan for energy technologies and the advent of the new generation of nuclear power stations.
