There are 69 reactors under construction today - the largest number in 25 years - but only one is in a liberalized electricity market, writes Edward Kee.

The first of four steam generators destined for the second unit of the Leningrad II nuclear power plant in western Russia has begun its journey from the manufacturing plant near Moscow.

Start-up dates for the first new nuclear power plants to be built in the USA in 30 years have been pushed back by 18 months. Vogtle 3 is now expected to enter service in the second quarter of 2019 with unit 4 following in the second quarter of 2020.

Nuclear power is one of the most important technologies that can help the world to limit global warming to 2ºC, said OECD agencies in a Technology Roadmap for nuclear that spells out some steps to ensure this happens.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has formally withdrawn plans to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for Dominion Energy's planned North Anna 3 following an earlier decision to revert to the reactor design originally envisaged for the Virginia site.

The regulatory justification process for Horizon Nuclear Power's choice of the Hitachi-GE's ABWR for build at Wylfa Newydd is now complete, after approval by both Houses of Parliament.

India and America are close to a deal that would resolve liability issues and enable the long-awaited import of US-built reactors. Other nations, too, stand to benefit from India's plan to import up to 26 large nuclear reactors.

Rusatom Overseas has signed contracts with several suppliers that bid for work on the Hanhikivi nuclear power plant project in Finland. A subsidiary of state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Rusatom Overseas is responsible for promoting Russian nuclear technology on the global market.

Government plans for the further development of nuclear power in the Czech Republic suggest that CEZ should be the main investor in the construction of new reactors.

Rosatom has clarified rises in construction costs that were highlighted in a report issued last week by the Russian Audit Chamber.

The concrete dome for Barakah 1 has been completed and the unit is on track to start operations in 2017, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced.

Investments totalling some $1.2 trillion could be made in new nuclear power projects around the world, according to the latest forecast by the World Nuclear Association. More than half of this total will be made in Asia.