A large structural component - the CA05 module - has been installed at the VC Summer unit 2, the first of two Westinghouse AP1000s under construction at the site in South Carolina.

The BN-800 fast-neutron reactor at Beloyarsk unit 4, which is scheduled to begin commercial operation by the end of this year, is already providing operating and technological experience of value to the development of the planned BN-1200 fast-neutron reactor at Beloyarsk unit 5, according to Michael Bakanov, director of the Beloyarsk plant.

UPDATED The project company set up to oversee the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary today signed three “implementation agreements” with Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Engineering Company Atomenergoproekt for two new 1200 MWe nuclear power reactors.

The Chinese government is set to resume approvals for the construction of coastal nuclear power plants, having suspended approvals and licensing for all new reactors projects in 2011.

The third reactor at Russia's Rostov nuclear power plant was brought to the minimum controlled power level yesterday, moving it a step closer to starting commercial operation.

The process of loading fuel assemblies into the reactor core of unit 2 at the Fangjiashan plant in China's Zhejiang province has begun. The unit is expected to enter commercial operation next year.

The Finnish parliament today voted in favour of Fennovoima's supplement to the decision in principle regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki, Finland. The vote was carried by 115 to 74.

Chinese and South African parties have signed several nuclear accords including a memorandum of understanding on a nuclear fuel cycle partnership, a financing framework agreement for the construction of a new nuclear power plant in South Africa, and an agreement on nuclear personnel training.

Support for the construction of new nuclear power plants in the UK has grown by more than 10% over the past decade, with 45% of people now approving the building of new reactors, according to the latest Nuclear Industry Association poll.

Fortum would be ready to participate with a minority - maximum 15% - stake in the Fennovoima nuclear power plant project, provided that Fortum obtains a 75% or more ownership in the hydro assets of Russian territorial generating company TGC-1, the Finnish power producer said in a stock exchange release today.

The UK government has signed a cooperation agreement with NuGen "to promote external financing" for the Moorside nuclear power plant in Cumbria.

The reactor pressure vessel head assembly has been delivered for the second AP1000 unit under construction at the Sanmen plant in China's Zhejiang province.