World Nuclear News

Siting guidelines for Italy

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:05:08 GMT

The new guidelines for the localization of nuclear power plants in Italy were issued while the country's energy leaders attended a Paris meeting on nuclear power.

MidAmerican nuclear study fee clears Iowa Senate

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:11 GMT

The Iowa state Senate has voted in favour of allowing utility MidAmerican Energy to increase electric consumer rates so that it can study the feasibility of constructing a nuclear power plant.

High-level waste returned to Japan

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:10:21 GMT

The first consignment of solid high-level waste belonging to Sellafield's Japanese customers has safely arrived in Japan from the UK following a journey by ship of over six weeks. The waste arose from the reprocessing of those customers' used nuclear fuel at Sellafield.

Canada's uranium production recovers

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:47:21 GMT

The world's second biggest uranium-exporting country has overcome a period of low ore grades and operation problems to reach production levels last seen in 2005.

Swiss canton launches first consultation

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:08:36 GMT

The Swiss canton of Aargau has launched a consultation on its structural masterplan in preparation for a possible new reactor at the Beznau nuclear power station. Meanwhile, operators of the existing reactors are to benefit from a simulator upgrade.

Teams compete for NGNP design

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:10:16 GMT

The USA has asked for more reactor design work from two technology teams led by General Atomics and Westinghouse. One of the designs could be picked for construction as the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP).

PBMR chief steps down

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:16:17 GMT

Jaco Kriek has resigned as CEO of PBMR Pty Ltd. The announcement comes weeks after South African government funding for the development of the pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) was withdrawn, leaving the company facing large-scale restructuring and cuts of 75% to its 800 staff. Kriek, who has been CEO of PBMR Pty for the past six years, will assist with a hand-over process and continue to assist with specific PBMR activities over the next few months. Alex Tsela, the company's current general manager for nuclear compliance assurance, has been appointed as the acting CEO.

Finnish new build decision 'soon'

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:43:25 GMT

The government of Finland is likely to start discussions on whether to licence the construction of a new nuclear power plant this month, according to reports in the country's media. National broadcaster YLE reported that the four parties in Finland's coalition cabinet have agreed a timetable for its consideration of an expansion of the country's nuclear generating capacity. According to economic affairs minister Mauri Pekkarinen, as there are no legal arguments remaining over the applications for a sixth nuclear plant lodged by Fortum, Fennovoima and TVO, the decision on whether to licence the construction of new reactors, and if so how many, will be a political one. The four political parties in Finland's coalition government have differing views on how many new plants should be licensed, ranging from the Greens, wanting none at all, to the National Coalition Party, which would like all three applications to be given the go-ahead. According to the Finnish media, Pekkarinen has said he plans to bring a government proposal before parliament in March or April, leading up to a parliamentary decision in June. TVO and Fortum have submitted applications to build new plants at their respective existing sites of Olkiluoto and Loviisa, while Fennovoima's application is for a new plant at either Pyhäjoki or Simo in northern Finland. The company withdrew a third possible location, Ruotsinpyhtää, from its application in November 2009.

New partner for potential Polish nuclear build

Jeremy Gordon — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:53:45 GMT

Poland's largest power group has signed a second cooperation agreement with a potential builder of the country's first nuclear power plant, this time with GE-Hitachi.

Siting study licence issued in UAE

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:27:29 GMT

The first licence to be issued by the United Arab Emirates' nuclear regulator will enable the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) to study potential sites for the country's first nuclear power plant.

No choice between poverty and the environment

Jeremy Gordon — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:35:07 GMT

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said the world must not choose between poverty and protecting the environment. With nuclear energy, he said, we can change our economies towards new forms of power generation.

Human resources critical to Indian nuclear plans

Jeremy Gordon — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:06:42 GMT

India's nuclear industry is preparing for a major expansion after assuring international cooperation with a round of cooperation deals, but the limited supply of human resources in the sector remains a concern.

Approval for Myhhra

Jeremy Gordon — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:52:48 GMT

Belgian nuclear scientists have been given the go-ahead to build an advanced new research reactor system with a role in researching the transmutation of wastes.

End of the line for Yucca Mountain

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:48:21 GMT

The withdrawal of its licence application yesterday marked the official end of the Yucca Mountain repository project.

Funds for legacy waste facility

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:05:08 GMT

The government of Canada has awarded C$20 million ($19.4 million) for the design and construction oversight for a long-term facility to manage historic low-level radioactive waste at Port Hope in Ontario.

Americans wary of nuclear waste, safety issues

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:02:02 GMT

Almost half of Americans are in favour of new nuclear power plants being built in the USA, but the majority said they are concerned about radioactive waste management, plant safety and nuclear material falling into the wrong hands, a new public opinion poll shows.

Isotopes and new build for PSEG?

Warwick Pipe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:35:17 GMT

Public Service Enterprise Group's Hope Creek nuclear power station could be set to follow in the footsteps of Exelon's Clinton after submitting a proposal to produce cobalt-60 at the plant. Separately, the company is reportedly planning to submit an Early Site Permit (ESP) application for a new nuclear plant.

Computing boost for Japanese research

Warwick Pipe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:42:25 GMT

The fastest supercomputer in Japan has been put to use for nuclear energy research by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The new system has a performance over 12 times greater than its previous systems.

Court ruling confirms nuclear plant stays Dutch

Warwick Pipe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:56:38 GMT

A Dutch appeals court has confirmed that the Borssele nuclear power plant, the Netherlands' only operating plant, must remain in Dutch ownership.

Kazakhstan signs cooperation deal with Japan

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:50:49 GMT

Japan and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to cooperate in the peaceful uses of nuclear power. Meanwhile, Romania's president has said the country is open to cooperation with Kazakhstan, including in nuclear energy.