China approves expansions at three nuclear power plants

China has approved expansion projects at three nuclear power plants, according to a statement from the State Council released on Monday. Six new nuclear power generation units have been approved to expand three existing plants in Shandong province, Fujian province and Liaoning province, according to reporting from state-backed media outlet the Paper. The State Council …

Vogtle Unit 4 has received the 103(g) finding from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Georgia Power announced today the receipt of the 103(g) finding from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Vogtle Unit 4. This finding was confirmed in an official letter received by Southern Nuclear and signifies that the new unit has been constructed and will be operated in conformance with the Combined License and NRC regulations. No …

Dome hoisted into place on Xudapu 3

The dome has been hoisted into place on the reactor building of Xudapu unit 3 in a single stage process, six months ahead of schedule, with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) describing the project as “a model of global energy cooperation”. The Xudapu unit, in Liaoning province, is one of four VVER-1200 reactors being supplied by …

Canada’s nuclear drive picks up speed

Canada’s plans to make nuclear power a central part of its decarbonization strategy are taking shape with major announcements around large nuclear builds, small modular reactors and medical isotopes. Nuclear power accounts for around 15% of Canada’s electricity generation with most capacity in Ontario where some 40% of the population resides. A total of 19 …

France chooses Rhône site to build two EPR reactors

The French government, which last year announced its intention of adding eight EPR reactors to the national fleet before 2027, has chosen Bugey nuclear power station as the site of two of them. The choice was between Bugey, which is sited near Lyon on the River Rhône, and Tricastin in the Drôme region, about 50km north of …

Georgia Power takes next step for Vogtle 4

Georgia Power says that all 364 inspections, tests and analyses have been performed and all acceptance criteria, known as ITAACs, have been met on Vogtle unit 4 and the documentation submitted to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The ITAACs – Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria – must all be verified before fuel can …

Russian designs for underwater nuclear power plant in Arctic

A project for a submersible underwater power module, featuring two nuclear power units with a total capacity of 20 MWe, that can dive to a depth of 400 metres and provide energy in Arctic regions is being worked on by the Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau in St Petersburg, Russia. Strana Rosatom, the Russian nuclear corporation’s …