Scholz Opens Door for Extending Nuclear Power in Germany

Chancellor signals possibility of reconsidering plant closures Political compromise may be needed for nuclear extension German Chancellor Olaf Scholz signaled that his government might consider extending the life of the country’s three remaining nuclear plants as it seeks to bolster its energy security. “The economy minister has commissioned an intensified worst-case scenario calculation. Let’s have …

Belgium reaches initial deal with Engie to prolong nuclear power

 Belgium has reached an initial accord with French utility group Engie (ENGIE.PA) to extend the use of nuclear power by 10 years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced the government to rethink plans to rely more on natural gas. Engie’s subsidiary Electrabel and the Belgian state signed a “non-binding letter of intent” and aimed to negotiate a …

Nuclear reactor in Takahama to go back online on July 26

Kansai Electric Power Co. will resume generating and transmitting electricity at the No. 3 reactor at the Takahama nuclear power plant on July 26, the company announced on July 19. The company had said the timing of resuming operations was undecided after a regular inspection that started in March discovered damage to heating tubes at the nuclear reactor …

Japan’s Nuclear Power Plants in 2022

Prior to the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, 54 nuclear reactors were in operation in Japan, supplying approximately 30% of the country’s electric power. However, the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was a drastic blow to nuclear power’s reputation, leading to increased distrust and unease toward the energy source. As of …

PJM capacity prices fall 32% with more nuclear, solar capacity clearing in the latest auction

Capacity prices across most of the PJM Interconnection fell 32% to a 10-year low of $34.13/MW-day from $50/MW-day in the previous auction, possibly reflecting recent rule changes, the grid operator said Tuesday. PJM bought 144,871 MW of capacity for the capacity year that starts June 1, 2023, for $2.2 billion, down from $4 billion in the last …