Nuclear Policies

New nuclear development council for Vietnam

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:45:56 GMT

Vietnam is to set up a new National Council for Atomic Energy Development, tasked with identifying strategies and priorities for the development of nuclear energy in the country.

UAE, Japan sign up for nuclear cooperation

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:20:37 GMT

A cooperation agreement on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy signed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Japan clears the way for the transfer of nuclear materials, technology and related items between the two countries.

Try again on US-South Korea cooperation deal

Jeremy Gordon — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:39:20 GMT

Decisions on the future of South Korea's fuel cycle have been put off for another two years. The country wants to recycle and reprocess used reactor fuel but requires American consent.

Brazil drafts tax on nuclear

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:27:45 GMT

Eletronuclear may face a 10% tax on revenue from its nuclear power operations as Brazil prepares to expand arrangements that target profits from oil and gas.

Nuclear not currently an option for Singapore

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:01:41 GMT

Deployment of nuclear power is not on the agenda for Singapore at the moment, delegates at the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference in the city heard this week. The island city-state has few options for low-carbon power.

Positive global outlook for nuclear energy

Jeremy Gordon — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:57:50 GMT

Nuclear power is going through some of its toughest ever years, but retains majority global policy support, the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference heard today in Singapore.

Milestone for Canada-India nuclear cooperation

Warwick Pipe — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:15:23 GMT

An agreement signed by Canadian and Indian nuclear regulators has brought the nuclear cooperation agreement that will allow Canadian companies to export nuclear items including uranium to India nearer to implementation.

South Korean nuclear policy unchanged

Warwick Pipe — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:54:25 GMT

The new South Korean government of Park Geun-hye looks unlikely to waver from its predecessor's staunch support for the country's nuclear energy program.

UK seizes the day with new nuclear strategy

Warwick Pipe — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:50:55 GMT

A new industrial strategy published by the UK government sets out detailed plans to enable the country to make the most of opportunities for economic growth in the nuclear energy sector at home and abroad.

Survey finds growing support in UAE

Warwick Pipe — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:39:51 GMT

Public support for nuclear energy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to grow, according to a nationwide opinion poll. The survey also revealed a shift in the national mindset regarding energy sources.

Jordanian nuclear decisions soon

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:08:59 GMT

The reactor technology for Jordan's first nuclear power plant is to be decided in mid-May. Meanwhile, the site selection process for the facility is expected to be completed this month.

EU countries defend nuclear's climate role

David Hess — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:10:32 GMT

A forthright statement by the governments of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the UK has called for 'neutrality of technology' in meeting future EU decarbonisation targets.

Proposal sees Mühleberg operating to 2022

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:58:26 GMT

The Mühleberg nuclear power plant could avoid shutdown this year and operate until 2022 under an initiative announced by the government of the Swiss canton of Bern. Operator BKW FMB Energy said the proposal for a negotiated shutdown "could be an option."

Amano stays at IAEA helm

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:07:56 GMT

Yukiya Amano has been reappointed as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a second four-year term by the agency's board of governors.

Moniz is Obama's new man for energy

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:47:32 GMT

After much speculation, MIT's Ernest Moniz has been announced as President Barack Obama's choice for energy secretary. He awaits confirmation by the US Senate.

Fingers crossed for UK nuclear new build

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:16:59 GMT

The UK will not be able to meet its climate change targets without new nuclear but should develop a fall-back plan in case projects to build new capacity by 2025 do not proceed as planned, a parliamentary committee has concluded.

Court rules Biblis closure unlawful

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:32:14 GMT

A three-month closure imposed by the government on RWE's Biblis A and B reactors as an immediate response to the Fukushima accident was illegal, a German court ruled.

Chaos in Bulgarian energy

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:15:52 GMT

An energy crisis has triggered mass demonstrations, the resignation of the Bulgarian government and cyber attacks on electricity distributor CEZ. A long-running failure to maintain generating capacity underlies the country's problems.

Trillion-euro cost of German energy transition

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:35:10 GMT

Germany's plan to transform its energy system to one reliant on renewable power as it phases out nuclear energy could cost up to €1 trillion, German energy and environment minister Peter Altmaier has publicly admitted. Feed-in tariffs supporting renewable energy could account for over two-thirds of the cost.

France, India committed to Jaitapur project

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:10:33 GMT

Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh stated that he and France's President Francois Hollande remain committed to constructing six EPR units at Jaitapur.

World condemns third North Korean test

Jeremy Gordon — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:31:27 GMT

North Korea carried out its third nuclear weapons test yesterday, provoking a wave of concern and condemnation around the world.

China, Argentina extend nuclear cooperation

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:33:41 GMT

China and Argentina have extended their cooperation in the field of nuclear energy with the recent signing of two agreements covering operations and technology, as well as the use of Chinese goods and services in Argentine exports.

Nuclear fuel tax 'formally unconstitutional'

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:50:11 GMT

Germany's tax on nuclear fuel was designed 'to siphon off the profits of the nuclear power plant operators', judges in Hamburg have ruled. The tax exceeds government competence and contradicts the country's constitution.

'Yes' vote for Bulgarian nuclear

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:32:15 GMT

Voters in Bulgaria's referendum have chosen a path of nuclear development for the country's future, although the matter remains with a government that is yet to commit to Belene or an alternative plan for Kozloduy.

Fossil imports burn Japanese trade again

Jeremy Gordon — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:02:29 GMT

Japanese spending on imported fossil fuels soared in the latter part of last year, helping push the country to a trade deficit for the second year in a row. Emissions targets are under revision as most nuclear power plants remain closed.

Unions team up for Fessenheim

Jeremy Gordon — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:59:36 GMT

Five trade unions in France have joined forces to oppose the early closure of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant as ordered by President Francois Hollande. The country is in the middle of a debate on energy.

Swiss to vote on new proposal for phase out

Jeremy Gordon — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:22:42 GMT

A Green-led initiative to phase out the use of nuclear energy in Switzerland by 2029 has secured enough support for a national referendum on the issue to be held. A date for the vote has yet to be announced.

Nuclear bilateral for Argentina and UAE

Warwick Pipe — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:19:35 GMT

Ministers from Argentina and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding on peaceful uses of nuclear energy during an official visit to Abu Dhabi by Argentinian president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Indian protest movement spreads

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:41:41 GMT

Mass public unease at nuclear power development has emerged at Jaitapaur. Thousands of protestors were held by police today as they attempted to surround the site of six planned reactors.

Global ups and downs

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 10:09:21 GMT

Nuclear power begins 2013 with generating capacity 3667 MWe greater than a year before. The growth comes despite the retirement of Garoña and Gentilly 2 in the last week.

Nuclear back on agenda after Japanese election

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:11:06 GMT

The future of Japan's planned nuclear phaseout looks less certain following a landslide victory for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the first general election held since the country suspended most of its nuclear generation.

Pivotal moments approach for UK new build

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:35:27 GMT

The British nuclear industry is on the verge of its renaissance, a London conference heard today, despite many uncertainties that remain now and for the future.

Greenland pushes on with uranium policy

David Hess — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:36:46 GMT

Greenland Minerals and Energy (GME) has welcomed promises by Greenland's parliament to fast-track the reviews needed for the country's uranium policy to be finalised.

Regulator speaks out on U moratoria

Claire Maden — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:45:01 GMT

Canada's chief nuclear regulator has publicly criticised calls for uranium mining moratoria that fail to take account of scientific research.

Russia speeds up nuclear investment

Jeremy Gordon — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:08:42 GMT

Russian leaders have affirmed the strategic and economic importance of nuclear technology to the country, announcing that spending will rise and a major development program will be accelerated.

Iran continues with enrichment program

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:57:03 GMT

Iran has continued to develop its uranium enrichment capabilities, including the installation of more centrifuges at both the Fordow and Natanz sites, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported.

Green initiative 'risks Swiss energy security'

Warwick Pipe — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:04:21 GMT

A Green-led initiative to enshrine nuclear phaseout plans in Swiss law has secured enough support to force a public vote on the issue. Nuclear supporters say the move would needlessly jeopardise energy security.

Japanese policy waits for election outcome

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:11:59 GMT

Only two months after the Japanese government revealed its long-term intention to eventually end nuclear power production, the announcement of a general election has effectively placed development of the country's energy policy on hold.

Australia may need nuclear in future, minister says

Warwick Pipe — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:24:05 GMT

Australia will have to consider including nuclear energy as part of its future energy mix if other sources cannot provide low-cost, clean baseload electricity, the country's energy and resources minister Martin Ferguson has stated.

Axing Visaginas 'bad for Lithuania, good for Russia'

Warwick Pipe — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:38:01 GMT

Lithuania's outgoing prime minister has warned that a rejection of the Visaginas nuclear power plant will damage Lithuania's independence while benefitting Russia.