Role of nuclear energy for sustainable development

Nuclear power at present does possess proven technologies that ensure adequ ate safety levels and safe radwaste disposal. Many in the nuclear community support the idea that further development in the nuclear industry should b e evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The author argues that the nuclea r industry needs to work on new, innovative technologies in order to reduce significantly the costs and to facilitate the dialogue between the nuclear industry and the public by providing more transparent, convincing solution s in safety and non-proliferation areas. A successful development of innova tive nuclear technologies addressing two key challenges: competitiveness an d public acceptance would permit a large-scale development of nuclear energ y in the next century. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.