World Nuclear News

Romanian reactor contract for AECL

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:29:55 GMT

Engineering consultation work is to be carried out by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) towards the completion of two units at Romania's Cernavoda nuclear power plant.

Areva into solar now

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:00:11 GMT

France's nuclear company Areva is to launch a solar power business on the basis of the acquisition of US-based Ausra, a specialist in concentrated solar power. The move "reflects Areva's strategic objective to be the world leader in concentrated solar power and will further strengthen and diversify its renewables portfolio," said the company. The move comes after last month's reorganisation, which separated renewables activities from the nuclear reactor business, and the acquisition of a 30% stake in German wind technology specialist Repower two years ago.

Award for nuclear haul

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:07:27 GMT

Engineering to move two new steam generators to the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant has been recognised with an award.

Iranian move for higher enrichment

Jeremy Gordon — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:58:25 GMT

Iranian engineers may begin to enrich uranium to a higher level in order to refuel an important research reactor in Tehran. The order was given as the latest move in the strategic battle over nuclear capabilities.

Areva and EdF reach agreement on used fuel

Jeremy Gordon — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:38:52 GMT

Areva and Electricité de France (EdF) announced that they had reached an agreement covering the transportation, treatment and recycling of used nuclear fuel. A contract reflecting this agreement is expected to be signed before the end of March.

Indian reactor enters commercial operation

Jeremy Gordon — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:42:02 GMT

The new fifth unit at India's Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) entered commercial operation on 4 February, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) announced. The 220 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) achieved first criticality on 24 November and was connected to the grid on 22 December. The commissioning of the reactor brings the total number of power reactors in commercial operation in India to 18 with a combined generating capacity of 4340 MWe. The sixth unit at RAPP - also a 220 MWe PHWR - achieved first criticality on 23 January and is currently undergoing statuary tests in preparation of its grid connection and commercial operation. The commissioning of the sixth unit will bring the site’s total installed capacity to 1180 MWe.

Russian, Argentine nuclear cooperation agreement

Warwick Pipe — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:19:50 GMT

A memorandum of understanding to cooperate in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has been signed between Russian state nuclear company Rosatom and Argentina's Ministry of Federal Planning, Investment and Services.

Test success at Urenco's new US plant

Warwick Pipe — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:58:13 GMT

Urenco announced that it had successfully completed the first low-frequency centrifuge spin test at its new National Enrichment Facility (NEF) in Eunice, New Mexico. The test confirmed the electrical and mechanical readiness of the centrifuges employed at the plant, the company said. Gregory Smith, chief operating officer and chief nuclear officer at Urenco USA (formerly Louisiana Energy Services, LES), commented: "The test runs a series of complex checks to ensure everything from the drive systems to the mechanical and power systems are working as required." Reinhard Hinterreither, president and CEO of Urenco USA, said, "This is a tremendous success. It confirms that we are on target to bring our first cascade online." The first cascade is expected online in early 2010. Urenco is currently awaiting approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to commence commercial operation of the plant.

Chinese, Ukrainian companies to cooperate

Warwick Pipe — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:30:04 GMT

China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corp (CGNPC) and Ukraine's National Nuclear Energy Generating Corporation, Energoatom, have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.

Areva and Kepco sign Imouraren agreement

Warwick Pipe — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:07:25 GMT

France's Areva and Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco) have signed an agreement under which the South Korean company takes a stake in the Imouraren uranium mine under development in Niger.

Safety milestone for WANO

Warwick Pipe — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:04:54 GMT

Every one of the world's commercial nuclear power plants has now been peer reviewed by the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). But the organisation must adapt with the changing nuclear landscape to ensure continued international safety cooperation, according to its chairman.

MHI to collaborate on PBMR development

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:09:28 GMT

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has signed an agreement with South African company PBMR Pty that will see the Japanese company collaborating on the development and commercialisation of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR).

Australia's lack of nuclear energy 'almost immoral'

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:29:53 GMT

General Peter Cosgrove, Australia's former defence force chief, has called on the country to embrace nuclear power. Speaking at a business breakfast hosted by BHP Billiton at the University of Western Australia in Perth, the former Australian of the Year said that it was "almost immoral" that Australia exports uranium to less technologically advanced and stable countries to use in nuclear power plants while refusing to have one itself. "We'll give you the stuff but won't use it ourselves. I find that difficult to comprehend," Cosgrove was quoted as saying by The Australian newspaper. He added, "We're a rich and technologically advanced nation sitting in a geologically stable continent, so surely we can expect to build and operate safely a nuclear power station." Referring to the "daily scrapping" by politicians about Australia's climate change policies, Cosgrove suggested that a national climate change commission should be set up with its own charter and statutory powers to ensure strong and continuous change. He said, "If there wasn't a climate change issue then we could burn our coal till the cows come home and we wouldn't need to consider that large step to nuclear energy. But if we continue to burn our coal prolifically, then it seems to me we haven't taken climate change seriously."

Brazil signs conversion contract with Areva

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:45:14 GMT

Industrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) has signed a five-year conversion services contract with Areva of France. The contract will help INB supply fuel to Brazil's sole nuclear power plant at Angra as conversion is the only front-end stage not present in Brazil.

Political risk for Italian nuclear

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:42:47 GMT

Italy's inter-regional body rejected the nuclear energy policy proposed by Silvio Berlusconi's government during a late January session. Meanwhile, regional elections are approaching, giving rise to fears for Italy's nuclear renaissance.

Uncleaned Swedish container led to exposure

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:26:15 GMT

An investigation has been launched into how a uranium hexafluoride shipping container was sent from a Swedish fuel facility without having been completely emptied and cleaned. A Urenco employee in Germany was exposed to the material on opening the container.

Planning request for UK plant due in August

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:27:16 GMT

A revised schedule of expected applications for permission to construct new nuclear power plants in the UK has been published by the Infrastructure Planning Commission. The first is expected from EDF Energy in early August.

Loan guarantee expansion

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:00:26 GMT

There will be a $56.5 billion pot of loan guarantees available to support nuclear power projects after a massive boost from the FY2011 US budget.

Khan agrees CNNC bid but ARMZ holds out

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:11:13 GMT

Canada-based Khan Resources has chosen a takeover bid from Chinese company CNNC Overseas Uranium Holding Ltd (CNNC) over a rival offer from Russia's AtomRedMetzoloto (ARMZ). In response, ARMZ is extending its offer.

Nuclear named for Copenhagen reductions

Jonathan Cobb — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:46:17 GMT

Morocco has announced plans for two nuclear power plants as part of its submission to the Copenhagen Accord, which was drafted at COP 15 at the end of last year.