SKC Symposium 2023

Risk Pilot wants to thank the Swedish Centre for Nuclear Technology, SKC, for a commendable planning and execution of the very interesting symposium SKC 2023 on the 16:th to 17:th October at AlbaNova University Center in Stockholm!

The symposium covered many interesting presentations of important research projects supported by SKC and performed by PhD students and post-docs, on-going programs and research activities at KTH, Chalmers and Uppsala University, and outlooks on the needs and possibilities to secure competence in order to meet future demand from the Swedish nuclear industry.

The latter subject was addressed in presentations given by Vattenfall and Regeringskansliet, covering the future electricity production and plans for new nuclear power. Most notable among these was that the Political Adviser to Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden and Minister for Energy, Maja Lundbäck, stated that Sweden will need an electricity production of ca 300 TWh at 2045, with a probable mix of 25% renewable and 75% plannable production in order to achieve wanted stability and independency in the Swedish grid. To meet these objectives, the State Secretary to Minister for Climate and the Environment, Daniel Westlén, said that existing nuclear plants needs to continue to operate beyond 2045, and that a new-build of nuclear reactors in Sweden equivalent to 10 full-scale reactors is required.

The symposium further added to the general optimism currently experienced within the Swedish nuclear industry, but also emphasized the urgency for industry and academia to co-operate and work together to overcome the challenges that lies ahead, not least the need to secure sufficient competence and resources for the future.