Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) secretary-general Angel Gurría has called for a level playing field for all low-carbon electricity generating technologies in energy markets. He was delivering the opening address at an international conference in Paris on Wednesday, on 'Nuclear energy’s role in the 21st century: addressing the challenges of financing'.

The conference was organised by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC). He also called on IFNEC to encourage consensus on questions such as the financing of new nuclear power projects, the transparency of such projects  and the best ways to support nuclear safety in new nuclear countries.

“The ability of low-carbon technologies to be deployed sustainably will depend on the health and effectiveness of electricity markets,” noted NEA director-general William Magwood in his address. “The NEA is pleased to have partnered with IFNEC on the Nuclear Finance Conference to explore the complex issue of financing nuclear power projects. Many challenges still lie ahead to set the framework for the low-carbon economies of the future, and we look forward to sharing our expertise and working with our colleagues in IFNEC to achieve progress together.”

“[F]inancing is not only a key aspect of nuclear capacity building, but also of radioactive waste management, decommissioning, nuclear safety and security as well,” pointed out IFNEC Steering Group chairperson Edward McGinnis. Alternative means of financing nuclear projects were discussed at the conference. Other important issues debated included creating confidence in energy pricing in the future and returns on investment, and financial risk management.

The conference, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, was addressed by experts from China, Russia, the UK and the US. They explained the different ways in which their countries financed nuclear energy projects. More than 150 delegates from more than 30 countries attended the conference.