OECD Nuclear Energy Agency Director-General Attends Civil Nuclear Energy Workshop in London

William D. Magwood IV, Director-General of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), attended the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Civil Nuclear Energy Workshop held in London, United Kingdom, on July 15-16. Themed "Collaborative Advancement of Implementation," the workshop brought together government officials, industry representatives, and international stakeholders from Europe, Eurasia, and beyond to exchange views on how international cooperation can support the delivery of nuclear energy projects.

Magwood delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony and subsequently engaged in a dialogue with Maria Korsnick, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). Participants focused their discussions on the practical challenges facing nuclear energy development—namely, how to translate policy commitments and long-term planning into concrete projects, executable construction arrangements, and reliable clean electricity supply.

The meeting concluded that pragmatic implementation pathways, sustainable financing mechanisms, and cross-border collaboration are essential pillars supporting countries in advancing their nuclear energy programs. Magwood stated that the future success of nuclear energy depends not only on long-term strategies and policy commitments, but also on whether projects can be delivered on schedule, reactors can be successfully connected to the grid, and visible energy and economic benefits can be provided to society.

Poland's first nuclear power plant project was one of the key case studies discussed at the workshop. Participants highlighted USTDA's support for the project, including front-end engineering design (FEED) grants to Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel, as well as recent financing arrangements between the Export-Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) and Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ). The project was cited as an example of how emerging nuclear energy countries can integrate technology, financing, and international cooperation to advance nuclear power construction.

During the workshop, Magwood also met with Igor Ivanov, Director of the Department for Nuclear Energy and Atomic Industry at the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. The two sides exchanged views on nuclear safety, the future development of Ukraine's nuclear energy program, and long-term issues such as spent fuel management and decommissioning.

Magwood noted that Ukraine's experience in maintaining the safe operation of nuclear facilities under exceptional circumstances provides valuable insights for building energy system resilience, and also highlights the critical role of safety, security, and regulatory systems under extreme conditions. These experiences will inform international discussions on energy security, crisis response, and the resilience of nuclear energy systems.

The Nuclear Energy Agency stated that it will continue to support dialogue and cooperation among governments, industry, and international organizations by participating in international conferences and conducting related exchanges, thereby advancing nuclear energy deployment and promoting the development of safe, sustainable, and resilient energy systems.