25 SMR license applications expected by 2029, plus six other takeaways from FERC, NRC joint meeting

“Even though a lot of politicians in California wanted to close [Diablo Canyon], they faced the reality that they could not close it and keep their lights on,” FERC’s Christie said. Grid reliability and small modular reactors were key topics at a biennial meeting between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission …

Newcleo and Naarea launch Gen-IV partnership

France’s Naarea and the UK-headquartered Newcleo have announced a strategic and industrial partnership designed “to support all players in their industrial, technological, scientific and regulatory development” of Generation IV fast neutron reactors. The companies say that the partnership will be open to others to join and said it will focus on key areas where there …

Agreement to advance SMRs in Alberta

The agreement between North American power producer Capital Power Corporation and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will see the two companies work together to examine the feasibility of developing grid-scale small modular reactors (SMRs) in the province, including possible ownership and operating structures. The feasibility assessment will be completed within two years. At the same time, …

France bets €1bn on startups building bus-sized nuclear reactors to fight climate change

After years of playing defence, the nation’s nuclear industry is seizing its startup moment After years of trying to reduce its dependence on nuclear power, France has radically changed its tune, betting heavily on the sector to help reach its climate goals. The French government has committed €1bn as part of its France 2030 plan to support …

Parliament backs EU push for small nuclear reactors

The European Parliament backed the development of small nuclear reactors (SMRs) this week, a move welcomed by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, who has already called for a rapid turnaround of EU initiatives. Tabled by Slovenian EPP MEP Franc Bogovič, the  European Parliament’s initiative report on “small modular reactors” was adopted with 409 votes in favour, 173 …

Korean team to push their SMR design with eyes on Canada

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Kaeri) and Hyundai Engineering have signed a memorandum of agreement aimed at winning export markets for its small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The agreement was formalised on Monday by Hong Hyun-seong, the chief executive of Hyundai, and Joo Han-gyu, the president of Kaeri. “Together with Hyundai Engineering, we anticipate …

Clean energy transition will be difficult, says Higgs, as he unveils 12-year strategy

Plan involves doubling nuclear energy generation capacity by developing small modular reactors The New Brunswick government has laid out a strategy for how it broadly plans to ramp up capacity for renewable and nuclear energy generation, while reducing the province’s reliance on diesel and oil. But the 12-year plan unveiled Wednesday falls short of putting a …

ENEC signs multiple SMR MoUs

The company responsible for implementing the UAE’s civil nuclear power programme has signed separate agreements with several small modular reactor (SMR) developers on the sidelines of the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) with UK-based advanced nuclear technology developer MoltexFLEX and US-based SMR developers …

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs measure lifting Illinois’ moratorium on new nuclear power plants

A nearly four-decade moratorium on the construction of nuclear plants in Illinois will end next year under a measure signed Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who vetoed an earlier version of the bill. Legislators passed a new iteration of the bill last month that addressed concerns Pritzker raised in an August veto message about the size …