TerraPower has formally notified UK regulators that it plans to begin the generic design approval process for its Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor, a first step towards deploying the technology in an international market.

Moltex Energy Canada Inc has initiated pre-licensing consultation with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in relation to the development of its WATSS process for converting used uranium oxide fuel into molten salt reactor fuel.

The UK Office for Nuclear Regulation has published its first report on international regulatory collaboration on small modular reactors, outlining how it is working with international counterparts to create more efficient, harmonised approaches to reactor design assessment. Meanwhile, more US states have joined a lawsuit challenging federal licensing rules for advanced nuclear energy technology.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under Russian military control since March 2022 and its director has said he expects Russian licences for operation of all units to be obtained by the end of 2027. Ukraine's Energoatom says any talk of restarting the units is a violation of nuclear and radiation safety standards.

Brazil's National Nuclear Energy Commission has given an extendable 40-year authorisation for the operation of the Complementary Dry Storage Unit for Spent Fuel at the Angra nuclear power plant site.

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval of the Principal Design Criteria Topical Report is a key milestone towards licensing Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor in the USA.

Hungary's Paks II new nuclear project says it is ready for first concrete, but is awaiting permission from the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority.

A review of the feasibility studies submitted by EDF, Westinghouse and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for two new reactors in the Netherlands suggests that all three designs would meet necessary safety requirements, the country's nuclear regulator announced. Last week, KHNP indicated it is withdrawing from the technology selection process.

UK-based classification society and professional advisory service Lloyd's Register announced it is to use generative AI to advance the application of nuclear technology in maritime in collaboration with Microsoft.