UN Side Event at COP29 Elevates Nuclear and Integrated Solutions for Industrial Decarbonization
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – At a high-profile UN side event during COP29, experts moved the climate conversation from abstract policy to tangible, industrial-scale solutions. The panel, "Clean Energy Solutions for Decarbonizing Hard-to-Abate Sectors," highlighted a portfolio of technologies, including nuclear, hydrogen, and carbon capture, as essential for tackling emissions from heavy industry, shipping, and aviation. The discussion emphasized that no single solution will suffice, advocating for an integrated energy system where diverse technologies work in synergy.
A Shift in Focus: From Policy to Practical Solutions
Hosted on November 18 from 15:00 to 16:30, the event, organized by a consortium of partners including Nuclear for Climate, the European Nuclear Society, and Generation Atomic, brought together a distinguished panel of experts. The discussion was moderated by nuclear engineer Shirly Rodriguez and featured Aynur Mahmudova, a technical manager at Saipem and WiRE Azerbaijan Chapter Leader; Stefano Monti, President of the European Nuclear Society; and Neil Wilmshurst, Senior Vice President at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
The panelists championed the need for technologies capable of providing both low-carbon energy and high-temperature process heat—a critical requirement for sectors like steel and cement production. Mr. Monti and Ms. Rodriguez specifically advocated for nuclear energy, highlighting its potential to provide a constant baseload power source and supply industrial steam directly from Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). They also stressed nuclear's role in producing clean hydrogen, a vital replacement for fossil fuels in long-haul transport and manufacturing.
Aynur Mahmudova, WiRE Azerbaijan Chapter Leader
The Power of Synergy: Nuclear and Renewables Working Together
Aynur Mahmudova, representing WiRE Azerbaijan, provided a crucial perspective on the strategic role of nuclear energy within the broader clean energy transition. Her contribution centered on the essential synergies between nuclear and renewables, arguing that both are indispensable for achieving net-zero emissions and ensuring energy security.
"As a representative of WiRE Azerbaijan, I had the opportunity to participate as a panelist in a key discussion on the role of nuclear energy in climate action," Mahmudova said. "The event brought together experts and advocates to discuss nuclear energy’s contribution to decarbonization, energy security, and the global clean energy transition. During the panel, discussions focused on: the role of nuclear power in achieving net-zero emissions, synergies between nuclear and renewables in energy transition strategies, and challenges and opportunities for nuclear energy deployment in different regions."
Bringing a system-wide view, Neil Wilmshurst of EPRI stressed the need for a modern, resilient electricity grid to support the electrification of industrial processes. He underscored that success hinges on an integrated approach. "It’s not just about one technology," Wilmshurst stated, "it’s about creating an integrated energy system where all these solutions—from nuclear and hydrogen to renewables and grid modernization—work together to support a cleaner industrial future."
Implementation is the Next Frontier
The panel concluded that while the technology exists, the next great challenge is practical and financial. They emphasized that COP29 provided a crucial platform to secure the investment and international cooperation necessary to advance these capital-intensive solutions. The call to action was clear: a shift from abstract policy to tangible, industrial-scale projects that can truly make a difference in the most difficult-to-decarbonize areas of the global economy. The consensus was that while renewables are central to the energy transition, nuclear energy is a vital, high-density solution for those sectors where intermittent power is not a viable option.
