Kazakhstan continues discussions with EDF

Kazakhstan is continuing discussions with French company EDF including proposals for an EPR-1200 reactor, the Kazakh Ministry of Energy has confirmed. EDF is one of four potential nuclear suppliers the country is now considering. Minister of Energy Bolat Aksholakov met with Vakis Ramani, EDF’s senior vice president for the development of new international nuclear projects, …

NA-SA creates investment opportunity for Atucha I

A financial trust has been opened in Argentina to support sustainable investment in two nuclear energy projects. Investments made in the new Solidarity Financial Trust of Public Infrastructure NA-SA IV will go to enable the licence extension for Atucha I as well as the construction of a dry storage facility for used fuel. The trust …

Components ready for fifth Kudankulam unit

Major equipment for India’s Kudankulam 5 is complete at the factory of the Russian supplier, Atommash. The reactor pressure vessel was assembled in a trial and the pressuriser passed crucial tests. The Kudankulam nuclear power plant is about 100 kilometres from the port city of Tuticorin in the state of Tamil Nadu at the southern …

Regulator endorses continued operation of Loviisa plant

Fortum is capable of continuing to safely operate the Loviisa nuclear power plant until 2050, Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has told the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM). The government is expected to issue a decision on extending the two-unit plant’s operating licence in the coming months. The Loviisa plant …

EDF minority shareholders drop bid to suspend squeeze-out

A Wednesday morning court battle on whether to freeze the French government’s forced takeover of energy giant EDF (EDF.PA) won’t take place, but the fight over the company’s future is far from over. A group of minority shareholders that appealed against the French state’s full nationalisation of the utility in November had sought a temporary court-ordered freeze …

Containment building completed at Zhangzhou 1

Construction has been completed of the outer dome of the containment building of unit 1 of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant in China’s Fujian province, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced. Zhangzhou 1 is the first of two Hualong One units being built at the site, scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2024 and 2025, …

Nuclear Power Plants Are Pushed to the Limit as Demand Surges

Climate goals and the energy crisis are pushing countries to double the lifespan of their nuclear reactors. The allure of carbon-free power is stronger than ever. As countries are desperate to lower emissions and reach climate goals, the world also faces a shortage of traditional fossil fuels. The answer to this contradiction has taken an …

French bill on accelerating nuclear new build progresses to Senate

The French Senate has begun discussing a bill aimed at accelerating procedures related to the construction of new nuclear facilities near existing nuclear sites and to the operation of existing facilities. In February last year, President Emmanuel Macron proposed the construction of six new EPR2 reactors, with an option for a further eight EPR2 reactors …