Small modular reactor developer NuScale Power has signed a memorandum of understanding with Xcel Energy Inc to explore the feasibility of Xcel Energy serving as a plant operator at NuScale plants. Portland, Oregon-based NuScale is seeking an experienced nuclear plant operator to provide potential customers with operational support.

Romania and Canada have agreed to strengthen cooperation in nuclear energy in a key move enabling the completion, refurbishment and possible expansion of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Bucharest yesterday follows similar agreements with the USA and France.

Samsung C&T Corporation has committed to making an equity investment in NuScale to support deployment of its small modular reactor and is developing a business collaboration agreement with NuScale's engineering, construction and procurement partner Fluor Corporation. The announcement comes days after Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction increased its investment to support deployment of NuScale's SMR.

South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction has agreed to make an additional USD60 million investment in NuScale Power to continue to support deployment of its small modular reactor. Including the latest investment, DHIC and its financial investors have invested more than USD100 million in NuScale. DHIC and NuScale have also agreed to expand cooperation to the field of hydrogen production and desalination using SMRs.

Rolls-Royce and Cavendish Nuclear have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the potential for their cooperation in the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. Under the agreement, they have committed to working together to develop the roles that Cavendish Nuclear can perform in the design, licensing, manufacturing and delivery aspects of the Rolls-Royce "factory-fabricated small modular nuclear power plant".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the US administration "to lift or waive" all sanctions on Iran as agreed under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In a report to the UN Security Council, Guterres also appealed to Iran to return to full implementation of the nuclear deal it agreed six years ago with the USA, France, the UK, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union. In addition, he urged the USA to "extend the waivers with regard to the trade in oil with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and fully renew waivers for nuclear non-proliferation projects".

Westinghouse Electric Company has announced the launch of front-end engineering and design work under a grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency "to progress" the nuclear energy programme in Poland. Westinghouse said the FEED is one of the key elements in the implementation of the Intergovernmental Agreement between Poland and the USA regarding cooperation to develop a civil nuclear power programme. The preparation of the FEED will be mostly funded by the US government.

Ukrainian nuclear power plant operator Energoatom and the Organisation of Canadian Nuclear Industries yesterday signed a Letter of Intent for further cooperation, which formalises previous agreements on the implementation of joint projects with Canadian companies in the nuclear energy sector. It followed the first meeting of Energoatom and OCNI representatives that took place on 4 February.
 

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and EDF have announced their plans to cooperate on nuclear energy R&D under a new Memorandum of Understanding, which includes exploring the production of 'green hydrogen' powered by nuclear energy.
 

Polish chemicals group Synthos and petrochemical firm PKN Orlen have agreed to cooperate on micro modular reactors and small modular reactors. Under an agreement announced today, both companies will jointly carry out research and explore the feasibility of deploying such reactors at Orlen's production plants in Poland.

The one-month extension to the 'temporary technical understanding' between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency expired on 24 June and Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters in Tehran today that no decision had yet been made on whether or not to continue with the arrangement.

The Canadian Nuclear Association and the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their collaboration in advancing nuclear energy's development, application and deployment to meet climate change goals. The MoU was signed yesterday by CNA President and CEO John Gorman and JAIF President Shiro Arai.