Event Programme
9:00 – 9:30 Registration of participants & welcome coffee
9:30 – 9:45 Opening of the conference
Welcome address: mag. Matej Tonin, Member of the European Parliament (EPP/NSi)
Keynote speaker: Jernej Vrtovec, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy
9:45 – 10:30 PANEL 1: The Future is Nuclear (moderator mag. Matej Tonin, MEP)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that withdrawing from nuclear energy was a strategic mistake. Europe’s attitude toward nuclear power is finally changing, and Slovenia has taken its first decisive steps toward constructing JEK 2.
We will present the most important changes and trends in nuclear energy across Europe. Will nuclear energy finally be put on equal footing with other low-carbon technologies? Can we expect EU co-financing for new conventional nuclear power plants or even support from the ETS scheme? You will also hear how the new Slovenian government plans to approach the JEK 2 project.
Emmanuel Brutin, Director General of nucleareurope, nucleareurope
Jan Panek, Director for Nuclear Energy, Safety and ITER in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission (tbc)
Meritxell Martell, Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities and Founder and director of Merience
Danijel Levičar, former State Secretary for the National Nuclear Programme
10:30 do 10:45 Coffee break
10:45 do 11:30 PANEL 2: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) (Moderator: Romain Le Quiniou, Iron Bridge)
The European Commission has announced financial support for innovative nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors. The first SMRs are expected to enter commercial use in the early 2030s. Their accelerated deployment will be significantly boosted by the recently adopted European SMR Strategy.
Could SMR technology provide district heating for the Šaleška Valley? How can SMRs deliver on-site electricity to large industrial consumers and data centers? Leading European SMR companies will present their groundbreaking technological solutions.
Dr. Gérard Cognet, Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of Calogena
Elisabeth Rizzotti, Co-Founder of newcleo and Deputy CEO, newcleo
Franci Bogovič, former Member of the European Parliament (EPP/SLS)
Blaž Košorok, Energy Expert and former State Secretary
11:30 do 11:45 Coffee break
11:45 do 12:30 PANEL 3: New Nuclear Technologies
Fusion is no longer the future – it is a path we are already walking. The European Commission recognizes fusion as a strategic technology of the future that will complement both nuclear fission and renewables. The first EU Fusion Strategy is expected soon, aiming to maintain Europe’s leadership through public-private partnerships, support for innovative companies, and the development of a strong European supply chain.
Did you know that Slovenia is home to world-leading companies in fusion energy? Leading Slovenian and European experts will discuss the unlimited potential of fusion energy and the latest breakthrough technologies.
Dr. Mark Pleško, CEO, Cosylab
Prof. dr. Tanja Perko, Project Manager and Senior Research Scientist at the Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK CEN
Dr. Tomaž Žagar, State Secretary
Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO), Finnish Nuclear Energy Company (representative)
Conference Closing