TVA completes upgrades at its oldest and biggest nuclear power plant, boosting output

The Tennessee Valley Authority has completed a $475 million power upgrade at its oldest and biggest nuclear power plant that helped boost the plant’s output by 14% and boosted TVA’s overall noncarbon production of electricity to 58% of its power generation this spring. Over the past four years, by making more than 200 equipment modifications …

Bipartisan Senate support for nuclear grows with $7.5B bill to extend life of current fleet

A bipartisan group of senators on Thursday introduced a bill that aims to extend the life of the United States’ current nuclear fleet. Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Martha McSally, R-Ariz., introduced the Nuclear Energy Renewal Act, which would authorize $755 million per year from 2019 to 2029 to “enhance the economic viability of the …

America wants to extend the lifespans of its nearly 100 nuclear reactors to 80 years

The United States plans to extend the lifespans of existing nuclear reactors and support new technologies as it seeks to revive an industry seen as crucial to its energy security, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette told an International Energy Agency conference on nuclear and hydrogen in …

Japan to shut down nuclear plants if counterterror steps not taken in time

Japan’s nuclear regulator decided Wednesday not to let power companies operate reactors if they fail to install sufficient counterterrorism measures by specified deadlines. The decision by the Nuclear Regulation Authority came after three utilities that operate five nuclear plants in western and southwestern Japan requested that their deadlines be extended as they expect delays in …

Kyushu Electric to scrap No. 2 reactor at Genkai nuclear plant due to cost of safety upgrades at aging site

Kyushu Electric Power Co. said Wednesday it has decided to scrap its aging No. 2 reactor at its Genkai nuclear plant in Saga Prefecture. The utility abandoned a plan to restart the unit, which has an output of 559 megawatts, in the face of the huge costs involved in enhancing the safety of the reactor …

EDF restructuring expected as France reduces reliance on nuclear

France is considering restructuring state-owned utility EDF and plans a steady reduction to the country’s reliance on nuclear power, the government said on Tuesday. In a long-awaited speech on energy strategy, President Emmanuel Macron said France would reduce the share of nuclear in the power mix to 50 percent by 2035, down from 75 percent …