James Walker

Mr. Walker is a Nuclear Physicist and Nuclear Engineer, with experience in reactor core manufacturing facilities and nuclear fuel reclamation plants. He has also worked as a nuclear physicist and thermal-hydraulicist on the U.K. successor class of submarines, and was the MoD subject matter expert for nuclear fuel reclamation. Mr. Walker has extensive experience in engineering and project management, across other domains, including mining engineering, mechanical engineering, construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure, and has executive experience in several public companies Mr. Walker holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Nuclear Physcs and Engineering, as well as qualifications in Project Management and Accountancy. He is a Chartered Physicist with the Institute of Physics, a Charted Engineer with the IMechE, a Project Manager Professional with the APM, and a Professional Engineer in North America.

Session Overview

Thursday, 6 November

11:00

Decarbonisation ICC Hall B 11:00 - 11:40

Maximising nuclear's potential in today's energy industry

Nuclear energy is regaining global relevance as countries seek pragmatic, scalable, low-carbon solutions to deliver the energy the world needs in the most cost- and carbon-efficient way possible. With renewed investment in advanced fission, small modular reactors (SMRs), and early-stage fusion, nuclear is positioning itself as a dependable complement to renewables and a key enabler of energy security. SMRs are gaining momentum for their ability to deliver consistent baseload power and serve industrial energy needs. Fusion is also attracting significant funding from both public and private sources, fuelling long-term optimism despite commercial deployment being at least a decade away. Despite these milestones, advanced nuclear faces persistent challenges - from licensing complexity and financing hurdles to supply chain constraints and the need for reliable offtake agreements. As electricity demand continues to rise - driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) across all sectors and the electrification of heavy industry - nuclear technologies offer a resilient pathway to low-emission energy. Realising their full potential will require collaboration across regulators, energy providers, and industry leaders to accelerate market readiness and integration into a transforming energy system.

Attendee Insights:

Hear how operators, technology developers, and policymakers are navigating the resurgence of nuclear, exploring the role of SMRs and fusion in securing low-emission energy while addressing the regulatory, financial, and infrastructure barriers to scale.