Notice

Memorandum of understanding between UK and Finland on cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy

Published 18 November 2024

Memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Introduction

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland (“MEAE”) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (“DESNZ”) (together, “the Participants”, and each “a Participant”), wish to further promote friendship and cooperation between them in the field of civil nuclear energy.

Recalling

• The fundamental role of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (“NPT”) signed at Washington, London, and Moscow on 1 July 1968 in the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
• The importance both Participants place on non-proliferation and meeting the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and export controls.
• Collaborating, where appropriate, with organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (“IAEA”) to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Considering

• The importance of the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (“United Kingdom” or “UK”) and Finland and their common interest in the field of civil nuclear energy.
• The importance that the United Kingdom and Finland assign to implementing an energy policy that will deliver low-carbon, affordable, secure, and sustainable sources of energy.
• The mutual recognition of the need to improve energy efficiency and to decarbonise electricity production, as well as wider industrial applications of nuclear energy.
• The key role of nuclear energy in achieving net zero targets and the landmark commitment signed by both countries and 23 others at COP28 with the goal of tripling nuclear energy capacity globally by 2050.
• The importance that Finland and the United Kingdom assign to advancing the implementation of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, to their respective net zero targets for 2035 and 2050.

Noting

• Other bilateral memoranda which complement this Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”), including but not limited to:
  • the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 21 June 2021 between the Office for Nuclear Regulation of the United Kingdom and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland on the exchange of information and co-operation in the safety regulation of nuclear energy use for peaceful purposes.

Purpose

The objective of this MoU is to establish a bilateral framework for collaboration between the Participants concerning nuclear energy projects, programmes, research and development, and policies.

The United Kingdom and Finland have made long-term investments in civil nuclear energy and recognise the strategic role that civil nuclear energy plays in driving energy security, energy affordability, and in achieving net zero goals, as well as in the decarbonisation and electrification of key industries.

The intent of both Participants is to establish a platform by which to facilitate bilateral opportunities for mutual collaboration in civil nuclear energy.

Collaboration carried out under the framework of this MoU will be implemented in accordance with, and under the auspices of the UK-Euratom Nuclear Cooperation Agreement of 30 December 2020, and other applicable international legal frameworks relating to civil nuclear non-proliferation, safeguards, security, safety, liability and export controls.

Areas for collaboration

New nuclear deployment

Both Participants express support for new nuclear deployment in their respective countries and recognise the importance of a technology-inclusive approach encompassing traditional Gigawatt reactors as well as Small Modular Reactors (“SMR”) to provide a secure baseload of energy. The Participants also note the potential of Advanced Modular Reactors (“AMR”) in meeting future energy demands.

The Participants reaffirm the importance of collaboration between Finland and the UK to share knowledge, expertise, best practice, and to explore risk-sharing interventions that support the efficient deployment of new technologies.

The Participants intend to work together to encourage business and industrial collaboration to jointly leverage the complementary civil nuclear capabilities of their countries with a view to accelerate the deployment of Small Modular Reactors and ensure energy independence. The Participants also intend to explore opportunities across other areas of the civil nuclear life cycle.

Fuel diversification

The Participants reaffirm the importance of secure, diversified nuclear fuel supplies for new and existing civil nuclear energy facilities and emphasise the importance of strengthening nuclear fuel capabilities in both countries, as well as supporting other nuclear nations in diversifying their supply. The Participants highlight that Finland is planning uranium recovery and the UK has significant capabilities across the entire civil nuclear fuel cycle, with ambitions to develop advanced nuclear fuel capabilities in HALEU.

Regulatory exchange

The Participants recognise the importance of regulatory exchange in enabling the efficient deployment of Small modular reactors and other advanced nuclear technologies. Both Participants intend to encourage further regulatory collaboration across jurisdictions as required, as well as supporting global regulatory alignment.

Financing

UK Export Finance (“UKEF”), the UK’s export credit agency, has up to £4 billion available for Finland-based projects that buy UK goods and services. UKEF has signalled its interest in considering support for the deployment of UK SMRs in Finland. Finland’s export credit agency, Finnvera, can similarly finance certain UK-based projects that buy Finnish goods and services.

New and emerging technologies

Both Participants acknowledge the potential for new and emerging nuclear technologies, such as AMRs, in shaping the future of the civil nuclear energy sector and in providing innovative solutions to both shared domestic challenges and the global response to climate change. Both Participants note the potential of advanced nuclear technologies for electricity production as well as heat and hydrogen production as well as other non-power applications. Both Participants are also leading fusion-related research activities.

Both Participants will seek to explore future collaboration on research and development in civil nuclear energy, including across their respective industries and institutions.

Waste and decommissioning

Finland and the UK hold positions of global leadership and can utilise complementary capabilities in nuclear waste management, including Finland’s expertise in final disposal of spent fuels and UK capabilities in decommissioning. The Participants reaffirm the importance of safe and secure protection of nuclear legacies of their countries and underline the importance of cooperation in the field of decommissioning and radioactive waste management, including the sharing of lessons learned on geological final disposal development, near surface disposal of radioactive waste, assessing the disposability of waste from advanced nuclear technology, and decommissioning funding arrangements and liabilities.

Nuclear safety, security, safeguards and non-proliferation

As representatives of responsible nuclear nations, both Participants reaffirm the paramount importance placed on ensuring civil nuclear energy programmes and exports meet the highest standards of safety, safeguards, and security, and in terms of global non-proliferation. Both sides agree to collaborate to ensure the safe and secure deployment of new nuclear technologies.

Skills and talent development

The Participants will continue to support and encourage the efforts of industry and academia to increase collaboration on nuclear skills and talent development, to ensure the preparation in each country of highly skilled, mobile, and adaptable workforces that will meet the current and future needs of the civil nuclear energy sector.

Forms of cooperation

The Participants plan to encourage cooperation, collaboration and knowledge exchange on mutually beneficial civil nuclear-related issues in both countries. The cooperation described in Paragraph 2 of this MoU may include the following:

a) Share knowledge, experiences and best practices regarding the planning and implementation of policies, legislation, and regulations;

b) Exchange of publicly available scientific and technical information;

c) Exchange and training of policy, technical and academic experts, including those from government, industry, and other non-governmental sectors, at respective universities, research facilities and innovation centres or projects;

d) Support and encouragement of academia, research and development institutes and the private sector to work together in joint projects and to exchange expertise;

e) Facilitation of dialogue through the organisation of conferences, workshops and other meetings on topics of mutual interest that concern civil nuclear energy;

f) Encouragement of private sector companies and industry bodies to cooperate closely and to explore further business opportunities;

g) Provision of technical assistance and other support through relevant projects, subject to the necessary approvals; and

h) Other forms of cooperation as may be decided jointly by the Participants in writing.

Funding

This MoU does not oblige either Participant to transfer financial resources to the other Participant.

The Participants accept that all costs arising in connection with the cooperation activities described in this MoU should be assumed by the Participant who incurs them, unless otherwise determined jointly by the Participants in writing.

Each Participant will conduct the activities described in this MoU subject to all applicable national laws and regulations, as well as any rules applicable to budgetary assignment, and to the availability and deployment of resources and personnel.

Confidentiality and intellectual property

The Participants will each treat as confidential all information marked as confidential provided by the other Participant under this MoU.

The Participants will not disclose to any third parties any information marked as confidential or any proprietary information received under this MoU from the other Participant without the other Participant’s prior written consent, unless required by law.

If any intellectual property arises in connection with any cooperation activity under this MoU, the Participants will address them in separate and appropriate instruments.

Implementation

The Participants will establish primary points of contact intended to oversee the collaboration under this MoU.

The Participants will convene at least once a year, whether in Finland, in the United Kingdom, or via videoconference. The meetings will convene at a level of seniority which is agreed mutually. The aim of the meetings is to identify one or two mutually beneficial planned areas of cooperation from those listed in Paragraph 2 and to hold focussed discussions related to these areas of cooperation. The meetings will set or modify a programme of action that highlights the opportunities and activities identified at the meetings and designate leads for the planned areas of cooperation to advance these opportunities and activities.

Meetings can be organised in different configurations of seniority to ensure relevant senior-officials or technical experts can participate depending on the subject.

General considerations

The Participants will amicably resolve any question concerning the implementation of this MoU through mutual consultation.

This MoU constitutes an expression of the Participants’ political commitment to engage in the collaboration described herein. It is not intended to nor purports to create any legally binding rights or obligations under international law, nor under the domestic law of either Participant, and does not affect the rights or obligations of either Participant.

This MoU will come into effect on the date of its signature by both Participants and will continue to have effect for a period of 5 (five) years.

This MoU may be extended by mutual written decision of the Participants.

This MoU may be amended by mutual written consent of the Participants at any time. The amendments will come into effect upon signature by both Participants.

Signed on two original copies in English language, all texts being equally valid.

Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE
Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Kai Mykkänen
Minister for Ministry of the Environment
Republic of Finland