Southern Company Cuts Its Cost Forecast for Vogtle Expansion, Provides Update on Project

In its third quarter 2022 earnings call presentation, Southern Company reduced its “Total project capital cost forecast” for Vogtle Units 3 and 4 to $10.383 billion from $10.453 billion, which is what it had reported in the company’s second quarter 2022 earnings call presentation. The company’s cost estimate reduction doesn’t mean that total project costs …

EDF will meet French nuclear output goals, new CEO to tell parliament

A flag with the company logo of Electricite de France (EDF) and a French flag fly next to the EDF power plant in Bouchain, near Valenciennes, France, September 29, 2021. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol The new CEO-designate of France’s nuclear group EDF expects to meet output expectations set out by the country’s grid operator for December and …

Poland Nears Picking Westinghouse for First Nuclear Power Plant

Poland is close to choosing Westinghouse Electric Co. to help it build its first nuclear power plant as the European Union’s largest eastern economy rushes to replace its aging coal-fired units. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin and Climate Minister Anna Moskwa announcement their preferred option after meeting with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm over the weekend. …

First criticality reached at Mochovce 3

The 22th October 2022 will be inscribed in the calendar of Slovenske elektrarne as the day when the new nuclear unit in Mochovce reached its first criticality. The controlled fission chain reaction is already underway in the reactor, although the reactor power is very close to zero. “This is a very important milestone in the …

Core catcher casing installed at Tianwan 8

The core catcher casing has been installed at unit 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China’s Jiangsu province, marking the start of installation of the unit’s nuclear island main equipment, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced. The 6.1-metre-high, 156-tonne casing is part of the core catcher, which is designed to catch the molten …

Application for Approval to Extend the Operation Period for Unit 1 and 2 at Sendai Nuclear Power Station

In order to achieve both carbon neutrality and a stable supply of electricity, we will maximize the use of nuclear power, which is a stable power source that does not emit CO₂ during operation, on the premise that it is safe. In order to apply for approval to extend the operation life span of nuclear …

NuScale’s Emergency Planning Zone boundary methodology validated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards

NuScale Power LLC (NuScale) announced today that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) issued letter ML22287A155, concurring with NRC staff, stating that the NuScale methodology for determining the appropriate size of the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) is acceptable for use by NuScale small modular reactor (SMR) power plants. This methodology …

Germany’s Scholz decides on continued operation of reactors

Emsland (Image: RWE) Chancellor Olaf Scholz has taken the decision to allow all three of Germany’s remaining operating nuclear power plants to continue generating electricity until 15 April next year. His decision follows disagreement among the governing coalition parties over the continued operation of the plants. “As Federal Chancellor, I have made the following decision …

German nuclear power extension wins Green minister’s endorsement

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck speaks during the German-Czech Economic Forum in Prague, Czech Republic, October 17, 2022. REUTERS/David W Cerny Economy Minister Robert Habeck on Tuesday endorsed the decision of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to use his executive authority to settle a long-running row within the coalition over extending the life of Germany’s three remaining …

Nuclear-phase out strains German coalition

While Germany originally envisioned closing its last nuclear power plant by the end of this year, the current energy crisis and the possibility of blackouts during winter have since increased pressure on the government, especially on Greens, to change course. [EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK] Infighting in the German government between the Greens and the liberal FDP over …