European Industrial Initiatives constitute key elements of Europe's SET-Plan. They are industry-led programmes with the aim to boost research and innovation and to accelerate deployment of the technologies.

SNETP has set up a Task Force comprising research organisations and interested industrial partners to set the basis of the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII) in support of the SET-Plan. 

ESNII will address the need for demonstration of Gen-IV Fast Neutron Reactor technologies, together with the supporting research infrastructures, fuel facilities and R&D work. As indicated in the Strategic Research Agenda, SNETP has prioritized the different Gen-IV systems and is proposing to develop in parallel two technologies :

• the sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor technology as the reference solution, with the construction of a prototype around 2020 in France, which is strongly supporting this technology,
  

• an alternative technology – either lead-cooled fast reactor or gas-cooled fast reactor – with the construction of an experimental reactor to demonstrate the technology, in another European country willing to host this programme.

Although the ESNII is intended to be partially funded through public/private partnerships, it is clear that Community funding will be necessary and SNETP is looking forward to the future communication of the EC on the funding of the SET Plan. 

Presentation on the European Industrial Initiative given at SNETP's first General Assembly, October 26, 2008

Figure: The ESNII Roadmap