SFEN Convention explores future collaboration with UK and France in nuclear energy

Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute, represented the UK and the University of Birmingham at the French Society of Nuclear Energy (SFEN) Convention on Thursday 5 March 2015.

The French Society of Nuclear Energy (SFEN) is the French hub of knowledge on nuclear energy, bringing together 3600 professionals, engineers, technicians, teachers, students, industrial sites and French nuclear research organisations.

The convention explored the future of collaboration in nuclear energy, bringing the UK and France together to reconsider their economic model, in which nuclear plays a central role in reducing C02 emission. Both countries and their companies shared competences and experiences in the field of building, fuel back-end and research and development.

The meeting included Vincent de Rivaz, CEO of EDF Energy, Gerassimos Thomas, Director of European Commission and Director General of Economic and Financial Affairs, Lord Hutton, President of the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) and Sir Peter Ricketts, UK Ambassador to France from the UK.

Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute said:

As EDF are poised to build the first nuclear power plants in the UK for 20 years, collaboration between the UK and France in the field of nuclear energy is crucial. This is essential in anchoring a significant fraction of the supply chain in the UK, but also in developing collaborative research programmes. This convention highlighted successful examples of companies who had developed working relationships in the lead up to the Final Investment Decision and sign posted directions of common future research. This is a fantastic example of UK-France collaboration at its best.

Further information about SFEN can be found online