Nuclear life extensions steer Ontario towards zero carbon future

Canada’s most populated province is extending the lifespan of the country’s oldest operating nuclear power plant, doubling down on nuclear plant overhauls to pursue green goals.  Ontario Power Generation (OPG) last month abandoned plans to close the remaining six reactors at its Pickering Nuclear Power Station, opting instead to refurbish four of the units (Pickering …

China begins construction on 2nd phase of Zhangzhou nuclear power project

China has begun construction on the second phase of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project using Hualong One reactors, domestically developed third-generation reactors, in the city of Zhangzhou, east China’s Fujian Province. The first four Hualong One units have been completed and put into operation, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The Zhangzhou nuclear …

India seeks $26 billion of private nuclear power investments

India will invite private firms to invest about $26 billion in its nuclear energy sector to increase the amount of electricity from sources that don’t produce carbon dioxide emissions, two government sources told Reuters. This is the first time New Delhi is pursuing private investment in nuclear power, a non-carbon-emitting energy source that contributes less …

Failed Carbon Free Power Project can pave the way for future successes in new nuclear

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems couldn’t bring its plans for the Carbon Free Power Project to fruition, but its CEO/General Manager Mason Baker hopes the lessons his agency learned in trying to bring a first-of-its-kind small-modular reactor facility online will pay dividends for those who follow. Baker addressed the Leadership In Nuclear Energy Commission on …

Senate bill, joint resolution continue push to make Ky. nuclear-ready

A new bill introduced in the Kentucky Senate this week would create a group to support the development of nuclear energy in the state. Senate Bill 198 would formally establish the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, which would be administratively attached to the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research. Senate Joint Resolution 140, also …

Slovakia’s SMR timescales outlined as Project Phoenix gets under way

A feasibility study, as part of the US-funded Project Phoenix, is looking into the potential for small modular reactors (SMRs) in Slovakia with an indicative timeline to 2035. Project Phoenix was announced by US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (pictured above) at the COP27 climate conference in 2022 and aims to support energy …

IEA Ministerial Meeting recognises role of nuclear

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) 2024 Ministerial Meeting and 50th Anniversary event, held in Paris on 13-14 February, has agreed to recognise nuclear as one technology for achieving energy security and decarbonisation. The IEA said the event – co-chaired by France and Ireland – “produced a strong commitment to safeguard energy security while speeding up …

Westinghouse begins UK licensing process for AP300

The company has formally submitted an application to the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for approval to enter the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for the AP300 small modular reactor. Westinghouse is one of six small modular reactor (SMR) suppliers shortlisted in October 2023 to bid for support from the UK government as …

Japan demonstrates floating seismic isolation system for SMRs

A team led by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency has concluded a series of large-scale demonstration tests for an innovative new floating seismic isolation system intended for pairing with small modular reactors to enable siting feasibility, including in areas of high seismicity. The series of tests – which ran from 29 January to 9 February …