Feasibility study sought for Cernavoda expansion project

Romania has launched a tender for a new feasibility study to complete units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant for which it is prepared to pay up to RON1 million (USD245,000). There is also the option of a single unit being put up for auction, according to a report by Economica.Net.

New Nuclear 05 August 2020

EU Taxonomy leaves low-carbon nuclear 'in limbo', admits climate adviser

It is understandable that the nuclear power industry feels it has been left "in limbo" by the European Commission's taxonomy on sustainable finance, even though its low-carbon credentials are clear, an adviser to the Technical Expert Group that developed the guidance said last week. Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, participated in the 28 July webinar-based discussion of a newly published Policy Brief by the OECD-Nuclear Energy Agency, Unlocking financing for nuclear energy infrastructure in the COVID-19 economic recovery.

Energy & Environment 03 August 2020

Invest in nuclear to galvanise growth, says OECD-NEA

The sheer size of nuclear projects might be a barrier in some markets where private investors are looking for short‑term paybacks. However, during a period of economic recovery, large‑scale and long‑term energy infrastructure projects, such as nuclear power plants, can galvanise the social cohesion and economic spill‑overs required to re-launch general economic activity.

Nuclear Policies 29 July 2020

States are best-placed to value new nuclear, says lawyer

Only governments can properly value the benefits of nuclear power and their support is therefore necessary to secure financing for new-build projects, George Borovas, partner and head of nuclear at law firm Shearman & Sterling, said today. Borovas was speaking during an OECD-Nuclear Energy Agency webinar on its newly published Policy Brief, Unlocking financing for nuclear energy infrastructure in the COVID-19 economic recovery.

Nuclear Policies 28 July 2020

Speech: Cutting costs with the fleet approach

Replication is the key to reducing the cost of nuclear new-build projects and attracting investment in firm, low-carbon power and heat, Julia Pyke, director of Sizewell C financing & economic regulation at EDF Energy, said last week. The following is an abridged version of her presentation to participants in an OECD-Nuclear Energy Agency webinar on the Paris-based agency’s newly published Policy Brief, Unlocking financing for nuclear energy infrastructure in the COVID-19 economic recovery.

Perspectives 03 August 2020

USA lifts nuclear finance ban

The USA has lifted its legacy prohibition on funding nuclear energy projects overseas. The US International Development Finance Corporation changed its Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures following a 30-day public consultation period.

Nuclear Policies 24 July 2020

French auditor calls for financing guarantee for future EPR projects

EDF must ensure the financing and profitability of its proposed EPR2 reactor before starting construction of any plants based on the design in France, the country's state audit office has said. The EPR2 is a simplified version of the EPR design, construction of which has been hit by delays and cost increases in France and Finland.

New Nuclear 15 July 2020

Speech: Nuclear jobs to help drive economic recovery

In these challenging and increasingly nationalistic times, it is important that leading international organisations seek to overcome institutional barriers and work together to deliver change, Agneta Rising, World Nuclear Association director general, said today. Rising was speaking during an OECD-Nuclear Energy Agency webinar on its newly published Policy Brief, Creating high-value jobs in the post-COVID-19 recovery with nuclear power projects. Publication of the report coincided with World Nuclear Association’s latest technical position paper, Employment in the nuclear and wind electricity generating sectors.

Perspectives 21 July 2020

Viewpoint: The nuclear option in the UK’s clean energy transition

As the UK government dithers on how to approach its Net Zero emissions by 2050 target, Hugo Lidbetter, a partner in energy and natural resources at law firm Fieldfisher, considers the role of nuclear in achieving the country's low-carbon future.

"The Moorside and Wylfa Newydd projects, each of which received hundreds of millions of pounds of private sector development costs, were respectively abandoned and put on hold due to lack of government support. Aside from recognising the role nuclear has to play in a Net Zero energy mix, the most obvious gap is a decision on a new build funding model."

Perspectives 20 July 2020

Speech: The resilience of nuclear power

Sama Bilbao y Leon of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency describes how resilience - the capacity to withstand and bounce back from major disruptions - takes many forms at nuclear power plants. The following is an abridged version of the presentation she gave during the webinar the Paris-based organisation held today to discuss its newly published Policy Brief, Building low-carbon resilient electricity infrastructures with nuclear energy in the post-COVID-19 era.

Perspectives 10 July 2020