Tohoku reactor restart: What is the state of Japan’s nuclear policy?

In late November, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) gave the green light for restarting the No. 2 reactor at Tohoku Electric Power Co.’s Onagawa plant in Miyagi Prefecture, which had been damaged in the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami. The announcement once again put the spotlight on the country’s nuclear power policy, not only …

At 50, Europe’s oldest nuclear plant not ready to retire

Europe’s oldest functioning nuclear reactor, at Switzerland’s Beznau plant, will turn 50 next week — a lifespan deemed dangerously long by environmentalists who are demanding that it be shut down immediately. Commercial operation began at the plant in the northern canton of Aargau, near the German border, on December 9, 1969 — back when The …

Tokyo Electric to give financial help to Japan Atomic Power

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings said on Monday it would provide financial support to Japan Atomic Power Co (Japco) to help it take safety measures needed to restart its Tokai Daini nuclear power plant near Tokyo. Late last year, Japan’s nuclear regulator approved an operations extension for the 40-year-old Tokai Daini reactor, which was damaged …

Tarapur, India’s 2nd most powerful nuclear plant built with US help, completes 50 yrs today

Monday marks the 50th anniversary of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station or TAPS as it is known. Located in the industrial area of Boisar in Maharashtra’s Thane district, TAPS was India’s first atomic power project when it began operations on 28 October, 1969. Launched under the Lal Bahadur Shastri government, TAPS relies on boiling water …

Orano strengthens its services offering for the French nuclear fleet

Orano has just signed a contract worth almost €100 million with EDF to supply services for the nuclear power plants of Paluel (Seine Maritime), Civaux (Vienne) and Gravelines (Nord) until 2024, with an option of two additional years. In partnership with the companies Samsic and ARIS, Orano teams will be responsible for all industrial logistics …

Three Mile Island Generating Station Unit 1 Retires from Service After 45 Years

For the past 45 years, Three Mile Island Generating Station Unit 1 has been safely and reliably powering more than 830,000 homes and businesses with carbon-free energy. That legacy ended at noon today when operators took the TMI Unit 1 reactor offline for the final time, setting a site record of running 709 continuous days, …

Duke Energy will seek to renew nuclear plant licenses to support its carbon reduction goals

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) announced today it will seek to renew the operating licenses of the 11 reactors it operates at six nuclear stations in the Carolinas for an additional 20 years. “Our nuclear power plants have safely and reliably provided electricity to our Carolinas customers for decades,” said Preston Gillespie, Duke Energy’s chief nuclear …

IAEA Concludes Long Term Operational Safety Review at South Africa’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has completed a review of long term operational safety at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in South Africa. The Pre-SALTO (Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation) review mission was requested by the Government of South Africa’s Department of Energy. Koeberg is South Africa’s only nuclear …