Philippines May Restart Bataan Nuclear Plant Project

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son and namesake of longtime Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was elected as president of the Philippines on May 9.  Marcos Jr., known as Bongbong, has said nuclear power will be a priority for his administration. Source: Wikipedia The winner of the Philippines’ presidential election earlier this month has made another move …

Shin Hanul Unit 1 Starts Operation

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced on May 22 that unit 1 of the Shin Hanul nuclear power plant, located in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, achieved criticality for the first time at 11 a.m. on May 22.  A reactor goes critical when each fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of reactions. …

Nuclear island installation work starts at San’ao 1

The construction of unit 1 of the San’ao nuclear power plant in China’s Zhejiang province has “entered a new stage” with the start of installation of equipment within its nuclear island, China General Nuclear (CGN) announced. On 2 September 2020, the executive meeting of the State Council approved the construction of units 1 and 2 …

POLL: Strong local and statewide support for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

Newly released polling shows strong local support for extending the operations of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, California’s largest source of carbon free energy generation. Statewide support for extending operations of the plant was also strong, according to the poll conducted by FM3 Research. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced his intent to explore options to continue operations at the Diablo Canyon …

Construction of Xudapu 4 under way

Construction of unit 4 at the Xudapu nuclear power plant in China’s Liaoning province has officially got under way with the pouring of first concrete for the reactor’s nuclear island. The unit is the second of two VVER-1200 reactors at the site to be supplied by Russia. In June 2018, Russia and China signed four …

Utilities seek more time to consider U.S. nuclear credit program

Two utility industry trade groups have asked for more time for their members to consider applying for funds under a new federal program to stop nuclear generators from shutting down. Edison Electric Institute and Nuclear Energy Institute made the request to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in a letter sent on Monday. Under the program, which …