Alan Tkaczyk presented to the president a science-based view on the possibilities of introducing nuclear energy in Estonia

On 15 November, the Office of the President of the Republic organised a nuclear technology seminar, where President Alar Karis was briefed about the specifics of nuclear energy production and the need for specialists to supervise nuclear safety in the country. Associate Professor Alan Tkaczyk of the UT Institute of Technology was invited to give an expert assessment of the potential introduction of nuclear energy.

Tkaczyk gave the president an overview of the functioning and specificities of nuclear technology. “Nuclear energy is a controllable energy source with low CO₂ emissions, offering climate-neutral perspectives but posing specific challenges. It is a highly science- and knowledge-based form of energy production. Expanding nuclear education and research at Estonian universities would be an important step towards creating national independence in this field and ensuring safety and public confidence,” Tkaczyk summarised the key messages from the meeting with the president. Analysing the interim report of the Estonian Nuclear Energy Working Group, the Finnish Nuclear and Radiation Safety Authority STUK underlined that the long-term goal should be opening bachelor’s and master’s-level curricula in nuclear energy at local universities.

Tkaczyk added that nuclear energy requires a long-term societal commitment and discipline, including an independent national nuclear safety regulatory agency with an adequate budget and qualified staff. He said that planning a nuclear waste repository requires in-depth interdisciplinary research and technological development.

At the seminar, Marti Jeltsov, a member of the management board of Fermi Energia AS, presented the company’s plans to the president, and Reelika Runnel, Advisor at the Ministry of Climate, explained the standpoints of the Estonian Nuclear Energy Working Group.

The research team led by Alan Tkaczyk investigates nuclear technology applications, nuclear waste and safety and participates in the European Atomic Energy Community EURATOM’s project exploring innovative solutions for storing nuclear waste. Tkaczyk was involved in developing the former joint curriculum of the UT and Tallinn University of Technology, “Nuclear Energetics and Nuclear Safety”, and was its programme director.