Nuclear
The civil nuclear industry is in the early
stages of its re-emergence. There is increased activity right
across the fuel cycle:
- Governments of existing nuclear states are
grappling both with the practicalities of managing and disposing of
legacy nuclear waste and with how this should be financed;
- First-generation nuclear plants are now
requiring upgrades and/or decommissioning work;
- Existing nuclear states are increasingly
returning to nuclear energy, and nuclear newcomers on every
continent are developing the infrastructure necessary to facilitate
establishment of nuclear power; and
- Increased nuclear demand is driving
upstream investment in uranium exploration, mining, processing and
enrichment.
- For businesses in this sector, while it is a
period of great opportunity this is also mixed with a strong
element of uncertainty.
In particular, as most governments around the
world seek spending cuts, the industry is having to explore new and
innovative financial models with minimal or no government funding
streams in order to take forward the plethora of projects.
The SNR Denton lawyers that make up the
Nuclear team have been advising leading developers, operators,
contractors and technology providers internationally on nuclear new
build, front-end, decommissioning, fuel cycle issues, and other
matters for several years. Consequently, we have the depth of
knowledge and experience to assist you in a highly business
relevant manner whatever your objectives.
The foundation of our nuclear business is a market-leading
Energy practice. For example, our work for the UK regulator
(Ofgem) in establishing the British wholesale power trading
framework, for 30+ governments on energy market reform and on over
100 IPPs, means that we have a deep understanding of the world's
power markets and how nuclear sits within them.
Areas of Focus:
- New build projects
- Supporting acquisitions, mergers and disposals across the fuel
cycle
- Advising on uranium mining rights disputes
- Negotiating uranium purchase and trading contracts
- Supporting bids for decommissioning and new build projects
- Assisting the development of Innovative financing models
- Addressing planning and environmental permitting
requirements
- Transport of nuclear materials
- Advising across the fuel cycle on national, regional and
international regulatory frameworks
- Advising on construction disputes
- Advising on strategies for the management of medium and low
level waste
- Nuclear liability law
- Advising on long-term storage policy issues