The operators of the last three nuclear power plants in Germany have marked their closures by saluting their operational records and contribution to providing low-carbon energy in the country for more than three decades.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi says that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's reliance on a single functioning external power line, and two landmine explosions near the plant, mean it is "more important than ever to agree" safety measures for the site. 

The extension of the long-term exclusive nuclear fuel supply arrangements between Bruce Power and Cameco for an additional 10 years through to 2040 secures decades of nuclear energy supply. The announcement comes as refurbishment work to ensure the long-term operation of the Bruce plant reached a milestone ahead of schedule.

Vogtle unit 3 began supplying its first electricity to the grid on 1 April, Georgia Power announced. The AP1000 reactor - the first new reactor to start up in the USA since 2016 - is scheduled to enter commercial operation by mid-year.

Slovenské elektrárne says that Mochovce 3's energy start-up has now seen its output increased to 55% - with the final trial run at 100% power for six days and nights expected to take place in May and June.

The Belarus Nuclear Power Plant's unit 2 has reached the minimum controllable power level with a self-sustaining controlled nuclear reaction.

Unit 3 of the Fangchenggang nuclear power plant in China's Guangxi Autonomous Region has entered commercial operation, China General Nuclear announced. The unit is the first of two CGN-designed Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors at the site.

US company GSE Systems Inc has been awarded a contract by Finnish power company Teollisuuden Voima Oyj to upgrade the training simulators for units 1 and 2 of the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant.

France's nuclear safety regulator, the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire, has made a draft decision to allow EDF to use the current reactor vessel head of the Flamanville 3 EPR until the end of the reactor's first operating cycle. The regulator earlier ruled that the utility must replace the vessel head by the end of 2024.

Unit 2 of Taiwan's Kuosheng nuclear power plant has been taken offline and will be decommissioned following the expiry of its 40-year operating licence, in accordance with Taiwan's nuclear phase-out policy.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted for review Northern States Power Company-Minnesota's application for subsequent licence renewal for the Monticello plant. The regulator is also moving forward with revisions to its rule on the environmental considerations behind such renewals.

External power has been restored to Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia. The loss of external power, which meant 10 hours spent relying on emergency diesel generators for essential safety functions, followed missile strikes on Ukraine. The International Atomic Energy Agency's director general warned that action is needed or "one day our luck will run out".