Japan PM Kishida orders new nuclear power plant construction

Japan is entering a new phase in its nuclear energy strategy, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordering Wednesday the development and construction of next-generation nuclear power plants. This marks a major shift from the country’s post-Fukushima policy of backing away from the building of new nuclear power plants. The move would help Japan reduce its …

Boris Johnson approves funding for multibillion-pound Sizewell C nuclear plant

Boris Johnson has greenlit funding for a new multibillion-pound nuclear power station, triggering concerns among some of Liz Truss’s allies that it could limit her economic vision. Whitehall sources confirmed the prime minister and Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi have given the financing go-ahead for the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear reactor in Suffolk. Private funding will be sought …

China begins mass production of its Hualong-1 nuclear power units

A night view a Hualong-1 construction site at Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant. /Photo provided by Hainan Nuclear Power China’s self-developed third-generation nuclear power unit Hualong-1 has entered the quantity production phase after the unit’s first commercial operation in January last year. Two new Hualong-1 units are under construction at the Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant in …

Pressure vessel installed at Zhangzhou unit 2

The reactor pressure vessel for unit 2 of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Zhangzhou nuclear power plant was hoisted into place on Aug 9 in East China’s Fujian province, completing a prerequisite for the subsequent installation of the inner dome and the welding of the main pipeline. This is another major step forward for the installation …

CNNC SMR Linglong One wraps up construction of retaining walls

The construction of the world’s first commercial onshore small modular reactor (SMR), the Linglong One, hit another milestone with the last tank of concrete being poured into the underground retaining walls of its conventional island at the Changjiang nuclear power plant, South China’s Hainan province, on Aug 13. The Linglong One, also known as ACP100, is a …

Poland amends laws to speed investment in nuclear energy

Poland’s Council of Ministers has adopted a draft act amending the act on the preparation and implementation of investments in nuclear power facilities and associated investments, the country’s National Atomic Energy Agency (Państwowa Agencja Atomistyki) announced. The main goal of the changes is to shorten the time of investment implementation. In September last year, it …

Largest module installed at Sanmen 3

The CA20 module prior to its hoisting into position in the nuclear island of Sanmen 3 (Image: CNNC) The largest and heaviest module has been installed at unit 3 of the Sanmen nuclear power plant in China’s Zhejiang province, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has announced. The cuboid-shaped CA20 module comprises plant and equipment for …