World Nuclear News

Industry groups and governments pledge to back new nuclear

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 11:22:07 GMT

Representatives of the nuclear industry in OECD nations, and representatives of the governments of 20 countries, have issued communiqués committing to work together to expand nuclear energy capacity, after the inaugural Roadmaps to New Nuclear conference organised by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the French government.

Canadian and Romanian firms collaborate on medical isotopes

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:07:46 GMT

Laurentis Energy Partners and Nuclearelectrica are to collaborate on the production of medical isotopes at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant and explore the possibility of heavy water production in Romania.

Kazatomprom plans 2025 uranium production increase

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 11:56:46 GMT

The board of the Kazakh uranium producer has approved a strategy to increase production volumes in 2025, returning to a 100% level relative to its subsoil use agreements for the first time since 2018 and adding up to 6,000 tU to anticipated global primary supply.

Cumbrian community exits repository site search

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:45:28 GMT

Allerdale - one of four locations being evaluated - has been removed from the UK geological disposal facility siting process due to limited suitable geology, Nuclear Waste Services announced. It is expected that a final site selection could be a process which takes 10-15 years.

Saudi Arabia reiterates plans for nuclear energy

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:46:17 GMT

Saudi Arabia has announced it intends to move towards implementing full International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear safeguards as it works towards building its first nuclear power plant.

Argentina and France extend nuclear collaboration

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:27:56 GMT

Argentina's National Atomic Energy Commission and the French Alternative Energies & Atomic Energy Commission have signed a cooperation agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear technology and new energy technologies that expands on one signed in 2010.

Completion of Finnish repository review delayed

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:56:59 GMT

Finland's Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority said its review of Posiva Oy's operating licence application for the world's first used fuel disposal facility is taking longer than expected and will not be completed by the end of this year as planned.

Contract signed for design of Polish nuclear power plant

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:07:57 GMT

Polish power company Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe has signed an engineering services contract with US firms Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel for the country's first nuclear power plant, to be constructed at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the Choczewo municipality in Pomerania.

New working group aims to speed JEK2 project in Slovenia

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:03:52 GMT

A new working group of Slovenian government ministers and industry officials has met with the aim of preparing "all the necessary bases for citizens to make high-quality and informed decisions about supporting the JEK2 project", with a planned timeline of a final investment decision by 2028 "at the latest".

Innovation is driving nuclear optimism, panel findsar innovation driving optimism, panel finds

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:49:16 GMT

Innovation has been, and will continue to be, an essential driver in propelling the nuclear energy sector forward - but the industry must be prepared to embrace innovation in all areas, not just technological innovations. These were the messages from speakers in the high-level closing panel at the International Atomic Energy Agency's Scientific Forum 2023.

IEA sees greater role for nuclear in attaining net-zero by 2050

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:08:06 GMT

In an update to its Net Zero Roadmap, published in 2021, the International Energy Agency says the role of nuclear power has been revised upwards given recent policy support. In the updated net-zero emissions scenario, nuclear generating capacity reaches 916 GWe in 2050, up from the 812 GWe given in the 2021 version.

Podcast: World Nuclear Symposium 2023 special report

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 08:46:58 GMT

The Nuclear Fuel Report, financing, recruitment, plant life optimisation and the Net Zero Nuclear launch all feature in this round-up of the high-level panel discussions held at the industry's global gathering in London.

Human cost stressed as action planned to tackle delay and denial of shipments

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:01:19 GMT

A broader global effort is planned to ensure the smooth transportation of nuclear products, such as those used in vital medical diagnosis and treatment and in food safety, as well as in the nuclear energy sector, delegates at the 67th International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference were told.

Vessel for third Akkuyu reactor ready to be shipped

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 11:48:07 GMT

The manufacture of the reactor pressure vessel for unit 3 of Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear power plant has been completed in Russia. This brings the number of RPVs supplied by Russia so far this year to a record five, Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom noted.

Viewpoint: Advancing nuclear energy in Europe

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:02:47 GMT

Industry leaders, experts and stakeholders considered the question of Cooperation, Complementarity and the Fleet Effect during an EDF-organised side-event at the 67th IAEA General Conference. Here, Roberto Adinolfi, Chairman of Ansaldo Nucleare, outlines the key insights from the session.

Tribal council, First Nations take stake in SMR companies

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 14:22:50 GMT

The North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council and its seven First Nation member communities are making financial investments in small modular reactor developers Moltex Energy Canada Inc and ARC Clean Technology Canada Inc under historic equity agreements.

Podcast: World Nuclear University turns 20

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:19:25 GMT

World Nuclear University director Isis Leslie talks about its work and plans for the future as it marks 20 years since being founded. Plus Niger and Vogtle feature in the news review.

Hot testing starts of second CGN Hualong One unit

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 14:11:24 GMT

Tests that simulate the temperatures and pressures which the reactor systems will be subjected to during normal operation have begun at unit 4 of the Fangchenggang nuclear power plant in China's Guangxi Autonomous Region. The unit is the second of two demonstration China General Nuclear-designed Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors at the site.

New Slovak reactor reaches full power

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:55:59 GMT

The power output of unit 3 at the Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia has been increased from 90% to 100% as energy start-up tests continue, Slovenské elektrárne announced.

More countries set to join Nuward SMR joint early review

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:30:39 GMT

The pilot phase of the joint early regulatory review of France's Nuward small modular reactor design has led to positive lessons for all sides, and three more European regulators are set to join the next phase, a meeting at the 67th International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference has been told.

IAEA assesses operational safety at Penly plant

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:45:33 GMT

The operator of the two-unit Penly nuclear power plant in Normandy, France, has demonstrated a commitment to operational safety, an International Atomic Energy Agency mission has concluded. The team also encouraged the operator, EDF, to continue improvements in areas such as the implementation of maintenance work.

Grossi stresses positive role of nuclear at IAEA General Conference

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:29:54 GMT

Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi opened the 67th International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference by saying that opinion polls show the "tide is turning" on public attitudes to nuclear energy, but countries "still need to engage stakeholders openly and proactively" in their nuclear power programmes.

Outer containment dome in place at Rooppur 2

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 11:02:36 GMT

The installation of the steel structures of the outer containment dome has been completed in record time at unit 2 of the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced.

Successful nuclear projects key for future investments

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:51:49 GMT

Being able to refer to success stories of nuclear power projects being completed on time and on budget, whether refurbishments or new build, will be key to securing finance for future projects, panelists in a session of the recent World Nuclear Symposium 2023 agreed.

US microreactor apparatus begins tests

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:09:49 GMT

Tests now under way using an electric-powered prototype of the US Department of Energy's MARVEL microreactor will demonstrate the natural circulation that will be a critical part of the reactor's heat removal system.

Viewpoint: WiN Global launch global mentoring programme for nuclear

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:35:14 GMT

At World Nuclear Symposium 2023, Women in Nuclear Global announced the launch of its global mentoring programme. "Mentoring is crucial in supporting career development, personal growth and promoting diverse and inclusive leadership in all areas of the nuclear industry," says WiN Global President Dominique Mouillot.

Nuclear groups propose ‘stepwise’ approach to increased regulatory efficiency

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 11:35:48 GMT

A new joint report from World Nuclear Association, the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Canadian Nuclear Association proposes regulatory steps which can be taken to minimise the time and cost for large-scale deployment of a fleet of standardised reactor designs that are acceptable in multiple countries around the world.

Environmental permit granted for first Polish plant

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 14:58:30 GMT

Poland's General Director for Environmental Protection has issued to Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe its decision on the environmental conditions for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the province of Pomerania.

BWXT, Crowley to work together on power plant vessel concept

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 21:20:05 GMT

BWX Technologies, Inc has teamed up with global shipping and maritime, energy and logistics solutions company Crowley to develop new shallow-draft hull ships to supply energy from onboard microreactors to shoreside locations.

Funding announced for Pallas research reactor

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:52:24 GMT

Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Ernst Kuipers has confirmed full funding has been allocated for the EUR1.68 billion (USD1.79 billion) estimated public investment required for the Pallas research reactor in Petten, the Netherlands.