The Future of Nuclear Energy: Main Discussion Topics
The overarching theme of WNE 2025 was the renaissance of nuclear energy — with all the challenges and opportunities it brings. Expert panels covered a wide range of subjects, from breakthrough technologies and new applications of nuclear power to global collaboration and policy harmonization.
Key discussion areas included:
- Accelerating the development of new nuclear projects and tripling capacity by 2050
- New financing models and support mechanisms
- The industrialization of fusion energy
- Artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance, operational optimization, and nuclear safety
- And increasingly, the standardization of processes across the global nuclear sector
Standardization, in particular, resonated strongly throughout the conference. Experts emphasized that harmonizing regulatory frameworks, establishing unified safety standards, and relying on proven technologies are essential for speeding up nuclear construction, building public trust, and strengthening energy security worldwide.
For Slovakia, the topic of standardization carries special significance. The European Commission, together with organizations like WENRA and ENSREG, has been working for years to unify licensing procedures and develop common safety reference levels across all nuclear projects — from new builds to decommissioning, such as that of V1 and A1 reactors in Jaslovské Bohunice. These processes have a direct impact on the Slovak nuclear program:
- The Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic (ÚJD SR) continues to align its regulations with European frameworks.
- Slovak institutions like VÚJE and SNUS actively participate in European projects such as ELSMOR and HARMONISE.
- Feasibility studies for small modular reactors (SMRs) — including Project Phoenix — are being developed in line with international safety and licensing standards.
Standardization and digitalization (including additive manufacturing and AI-based tools) are seen as the key to addressing the main challenges of nuclear projects — their long timelines and financial complexity. These approaches can help shorten construction periods, reduce risks, and enhance transparency in decision-making.
ENSECO’s Perspective: Ready for the New Nuclear Era
The participation of Slovak companies such as ENSECO at WNE 2025 reaffirmed Slovakia’s readiness to be part of the new era of nuclear energy — one focused on diversification, efficiency, and safety, powered by AI and other breakthrough technologies. However, this remains largely on a theoretical level.
“We still have a long way to go. In Europe, there is much discussion about goals and plans, while Asia is already building,” says Ing. Michal Hrdina, CEO of ENSECO. “That is why we welcome initiatives aimed at harmonizing legislation and safety requirements. It is essential to move from words to action — to accelerate the standardization process and successfully complete licensing procedures. This is a necessary step toward the swift deployment of individual SMR solutions once they are fully tested and ready for implementation at selected sites.”
In an environment where global mechanisms are developing slowly and regulations are evolving gradually, ENSECO maintains a clear stance: to be part of it.