On May 24, 2023 at 10:00 Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), the second international conference “Nuclear Energy for Latvia” will take place. The aim of the conference is to promote understanding within the Latvian society about the role of nuclear energy in achieving Latvia’s climate goals and strengthening its energy independence. In the conference, world-class energy and nuclear energy experts from Latvia and abroad will present.

The conference will be opened by the state secretary of the Ministry of Climate and Energy, Līga Kurevska. In the beginning, an insight into nuclear energy in the overall energy balance of Latvia will be provided by Andris Šternbergs, Vice President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and Deputy Director of the Institute of Solid State Physics at the University of Latvia, habilitated physics doctor. Academician Šternbergs emphasizes: “Both in the current energy crisis and in the future development of green energy, nuclear energy plays an important role in Latvia’s energy sector. Energy independence ensures both economic and political independence. To ensure that state decisions on the implementation of innovative and green energy production processes are based on facts, the involvement of scientists is essential. Therefore, the planned conference will not only be a knowledge exchange platform for Latvian and foreign nuclear energy experts, but it will also contribute to promoting the understanding of nuclear energy as an important component of energy supply in Latvian society.”

Executive director of Fermi Energia (Estonia) Kalev Kallemets will present Estonia’s progress in nuclear energy development and deployment of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Estonia which will provide benefits for Baltic electricity consumers as well. One of the prerequisites for the implementation of nuclear energy in the country is appropriately trained specialists. The Nuclear Science and Technology (NSTC) researcher Marti Jelcov will share his experience with conference participants on the development of nuclear energy human resources in Estonia.

The Head of the Development Department at Latvenergo, Oļegs Linkevičs, will talk about the position of SMRs in the Baltic electricity market and their sustainability for countries with small energy systems in his presentation.

The public relations manager of Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO), Juha Poikola, an advisor in Finland’s energy and climate policy, will give a presentation on extension of nuclear energy use in Finland, with newly opened Olkiluoto 3 unit in Olkiluoto nuclear power plant, which will help to ensure Finland’s energy self-sufficiency and achieve carbon neutrality goals.

The awareness of electricity consumers’ needs and their opinion on the necessity of energy resources is crucial and cannot be underestimated. RB Rail AS ESG Director and Deputy Chairman of the Board, Anrī Leimanis, will introduce the challenges of electrification implementation for Rail Baltica, the largest infrastructure project of the century in the Baltic region.

The coordinator of the Fission project at the University of Latvia, Agris Auce, will talk about the role of nuclear energy in the food industry, emphasizing that access to industrial heat could become one of the key factors when choosing a location for a new production facility, and food manufacturers will have to search for new sources of industrial heat.

Zion Light, the founder of the Emergency Reactor climate activism group and author of “The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting,” will provide a modern, science-based view on the safety and effectiveness of nuclear energy.

We invite participants from state and municipal institutions, energy production and distribution companies, students and pupils, as well as anyone interested in environmentally friendly energy production that takes up small natural areas and practically does not generate emissions to participate in the conference. The conference will be available to participants both online and in person. The conference will be held with synchronous translation in Latvian and English languages, and registration is free on the conference website: https://nuclear.lv/.

Conference supported by: AS “Latvenergo”, “Fermi Energia” OÜ, Latvian Association of Power Engineers and Energy Builders, AS “Sadales tīkls”, Latvian Academy of Sciences, non-profit organization “Generation Atomic”, international organization “World Nuclear Association”, international movement “Stand Up for Nuclear”, Institute of Solid State Physics at the University of Latvia, SIA “Odo”. Conference is organized by the association “Development and Innovation Training Center”.

Additional information:

Ieva Vitolina, conference coordinator

Association “Development and Innovation Training Center”

E-mail: ieva.vitolina@aimc.lv

Phone: +371 29215073