World Nuclear News

Temelín 2 clear for longer operation

Fri, 27 May 2022 14:13:01 GMT

ČEZ of the Czech Republic has been granted a licence to continue operating Temelín 2. The reactor has operated for 20 years and ČEZ hopes for another 40 years of operation at least.

Hungary bolsters energy diplomacy

Fri, 27 May 2022 14:06:28 GMT

The Hungarian government has organised energy issues, including the Paks II project, to be under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, citing the changing situation in energy as well as around the project to build a Russian-supplied nuclear power plant.

Construction starts on Tianwan industrial steam project

Fri, 27 May 2022 12:21:10 GMT

Work has started on a project at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China's Jiangsu province to supply steam to a nearby petrochemical plant, China National Nuclear Corporation has announced. Due for completion at the end of 2023, it will be China's first industrial-use nuclear energy steam supply project.

Ukraine says any IAEA visit to occupied Zaporizhzhia ‘unacceptable’

Fri, 27 May 2022 12:33:12 GMT

The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine says that an inspection mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency should not take place until the six-reactor nuclear power plant is no longer under Russian control.

DOE launches national lab decarbonisation initiative

Thu, 26 May 2022 14:13:09 GMT

Idaho National Laboratory has been selected as one of four national laboratories to take part in a USD38 million decarbonisation initiative. The Department of Energy's Net Zero Labs Pilot Initiative will lay the foundation for net-zero solutions that can be replicated at facilities across DOE, as well as federal government, state and local governments.

Chinese researchers seek to expand uranium resources

Thu, 26 May 2022 14:16:36 GMT

A demonstration project for the deep underground exploration of hydrothermal uranium deposits in southern China recently passed a national acceptance check. Meanwhile, Chinese researchers have developed an innovative method of pre-enriching uranium in seawater by membrane filtration.

Lithuania committed to safe radwaste management, says IAEA

Thu, 26 May 2022 11:34:10 GMT

Lithuania's national programme for managing radioactive waste and decommissioning has demonstrated a commitment to safety, a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded. However, it noted areas where safety could be further enhanced.

Bangladesh, South Korea enhance nuclear energy cooperation

Wed, 25 May 2022 14:11:58 GMT

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission for technological cooperation in nuclear research and development.

Westinghouse and Hyundai to cooperate on AP1000

Wed, 25 May 2022 14:45:18 GMT

Westinghouse Electric Company and Hyundai Engineering & Construction have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly participate in global AP1000 plant opportunities.

Jacobs develops robot for Fukushima debris sampling

Wed, 25 May 2022 13:10:51 GMT

USA-based engineering group Jacobs has designed and built a remotely-operated robotic tool to investigate debris in a damaged reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.

EU taxonomy: Trade unions urge MEPs not to oppose plan

Wed, 25 May 2022 14:22:37 GMT

The 20 unions representing Belgian, Bulgarian, Czech, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Slovakian and Slovenian energy workers say the inclusion of nuclear and gas in the EU taxonomy is vital for tackling climate change and increasing energy independence.

Nuclearelectrica and NuScale sign MoU, site chosen for SMR

Tue, 24 May 2022 12:36:11 GMT

The Memorandum of Understanding means that NuScale, Nuclearelectrica and E-INFRA will carry out engineering studies, technical analyses and licensing activities for the site of a former thermal power plant at Doicești, the location selected for Romania's first small modular reactor.

Climate inaction could cost world USD178 trillion: Deloitte

Tue, 24 May 2022 13:23:39 GMT

Climate change - if left unchecked - could cost the global economy USD178 trillion over the next 50 years, according to a new report from Deloitte. But if the world acts now to rapidly achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, the transformation of the economy would set the world up for stronger economic growth by 2070.

Fennovoima ends Hanhikivi 1 licensing process

Tue, 24 May 2022 11:16:14 GMT

Fennovoima has withdrawn its construction licence application for the planned Hanhikivi 1 nuclear power plant project at Pyhäjoki in northern Finland. The move follows the company's termination of the plant's engineering, procurement and construction contract with Russia's RAOS Project earlier this month.

Belgium government allocates funding for SMR research

Tue, 24 May 2022 14:47:28 GMT

Belgium's SCK-CEN nuclear research centre will receive a budget of EUR100 million (USD107 million) from the federal government to conduct research into small modular reactors.

HEU from three Japanese sites transported to USA

Tue, 24 May 2022 13:31:02 GMT

More than 30 kilograms of highly-enriched uranium has been removed from three Japanese research sites and sent to the USA for downblending or disposal, the US National Nuclear Security Administration announced.

South Korean APR-1400 starts up

Mon, 23 May 2022 10:51:46 GMT

Unit 1 of the Shin Hanul nuclear power plant in South Korea has attained a sustained chain reaction for the first time, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced. The unit - the first of two APR-1400 reactors at the site - is scheduled to be connected to the grid next month.

Viewpoint: The nuclear industry’s need for harmonisation

Thu, 26 May 2022 13:47:40 GMT

International collaboration and initiatives to harmonise the regulatory process for new nuclear are of fundamental importance to the safe and successful deployment of small modular reactors across the world, with positive steps already being taken, says Ramzi Jammal, executive vice-president and chief regulatory operations officer for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. He was speaking at the fourth CORDEL regional workshop held in Lyon.

President calls for Uzbek exploration programme

Mon, 23 May 2022 14:31:00 GMT

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed Uzbekistan to develop a four-year uranium exploration programme, as well as transforming state mining company Navoi and training suitably qualified personnel for the country's minerals sector.

UK parliament committee reviews AGR decommissioning funding

Mon, 23 May 2022 14:16:08 GMT

The terms of the 2009 sale of seven advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power plants to EDF Energy "placed a disproportionate amount of risk for meeting future decommissioning costs on the taxpayer," the UK House of Commons Public Accounts Committee said in a report published on 20 May.

International review 'backs suitability of Czech sites'

Mon, 23 May 2022 14:21:41 GMT

The preliminary conclusion of an experts' review of the sites for existing and new nuclear power units in Czech Republic is that they were selected correctly, CEZ says.

Palisades bows out after record operation run

Mon, 23 May 2022 12:21:56 GMT

The single-unit nuclear power plant in Michigan was permanently shut down on 20 May - slightly earlier than planned - after more than 50 years in operation.

Nucleoeléctrica Argentina director defends Atucha 3 deal

Mon, 23 May 2022 11:37:43 GMT

Alejandro Estevez says Nucleoeléctrica Argentina is "taking the appropriate steps to be able to move forward with this project" in response to comments from former Undersecretary of Nuclear Energy Julián Gadano.

NDA, Cwmni Egino to collaborate on Trawsfynydd development

Fri, 20 May 2022 15:03:35 GMT

The UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Welsh development company Cwmni Egino have announced they will work together on proposals for the siting of a new nuclear development at the Trawsfynydd site in north Wales.

Nuclear included in EU's repowering plan

Fri, 20 May 2022 14:55:16 GMT

The European Commission has formally adopted the REPowerEU plan which aims to rapidly reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels. The plan recognises that nuclear will have a role to play in ensuring security of EU energy supplies, and highlights the importance of coordinated action to reduce dependence on Russian nuclear materials and fuel cycle services.

EDF revises Hinkley Point C schedule and costs

Fri, 20 May 2022 13:44:44 GMT

The start of electricity generation for unit 1 of the Hinkley Point C plant in the UK is now expected in June 2027 and the project completion costs are now estimated in the range of GBP25 to 26 billion (in 2015 prices), EDF has announced following a review.

Californian support grows for Diablo Canyon: poll

Fri, 20 May 2022 12:52:16 GMT

There is strong local and statewide support for extending the operations of California's only operating nuclear power plant - and the state's largest source of carbon-free generation - a newly released poll has found.

Nuclear island installation work starts at San'ao 1

Fri, 20 May 2022 10:51:13 GMT

The construction of unit 1 of the San'ao nuclear power plant in China's Zhejiang province has "entered a new stage" with the start of installation of equipment within its nuclear island, China General Nuclear announced.

Jacobs to support Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning

Thu, 19 May 2022 15:19:00 GMT

USA-based engineering group Jacobs has been selected by Tokyo Electric Power Company to support decommissioning efforts at its damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. The announcement came as the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said there had been "remarkable progress" in decommissioning the site.

Construction of Xudapu 4 under way

Thu, 19 May 2022 11:16:57 GMT

Construction of unit 4 at the Xudapu nuclear power plant in China's Liaoning province has officially got under way with the pouring of first concrete for the reactor's nuclear island. The unit is the second of two VVER-1200 reactors at the site to be supplied by Russia.