Fortum, Westinghouse study new build opportunities

Finnish utility Fortum and Westinghouse Electric Company of the USA have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore prerequisites for the development and deployment of new nuclear in Finland and Sweden. The agreement is related to Fortum’s nuclear feasibility study launched in November 2022. At Fortum, our strategic priorities are to deliver reliable clean energy …

DOE begins scoping for HALEU supply

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has formally begun the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping process for its proposed programme to support the commercial production of high-assay low-enriched uranium – or HALEU – fuel. The DOE is also seeking feedback on two draft requests for proposals to acquire HALEU. A Notice of Intent (NOI) published in …

Kazatomprom completes second China shipment, announces management changes

The heads of Kazatomprom and CGNPC-URC said the companies plan to further develop and strengthen their partnership as they marked the completion of the second delivery of fuel assemblies manufactured by the Kazakh-Chinese Ulba-FA enterprise to a nuclear power plant in China. Separately, Kazatomprom has announced the latest in a series of changes in its …

Construction of a new nuclear power plant: who will be Armenia’s energy partner?

Armenia plans to build a new nuclear power plant by 2036. Which country will be the energy partner for this project is not yet clear. Cooperation with Russia, the USA and other countries is being discussed. According to the prime minister, the government is studying proposals to understand “which option is more economically viable.” In 2022 …

Keir Starmer says nuclear power is ‘critical part’ of UK’s energy mix

Labour leader pledges to get stalled projects operational to boost energy security, cut costs and create jobs Keir Starmer has described nuclear power as a “critical part” of the UK’s energy mix and pledged to get stalled projects over the line, as Labour positions itself firmly behind the technology. Before the Labour leader presents his net zero …

Record level of US support for nuclear continues

US public support for nuclear energy has remained at a record high level for the third consecutive year, according to the latest survey by Bisconti Research Inc. The results show three quarters of the public favour nuclear energy, and about seven in ten support the construction of more nuclear power plants. The National Nuclear Energy Public …

NRG exits nuclear with sale of South Texas Project stake

Constellation Energy has agreed to purchase NRG Energy’s 44% stake in the South Texas Project (STP) for USD1.75 billion. The plant – located about 90 miles southwest of Houston – comprises two 1280 MWe pressurised water reactors which began providing electricity in 1988 and 1989, respectively. NRG announced it has entered into a definitive agreement …

The Saudis want the US to help build a ‘nuclear Aramco’

Riyadh has proposed to visiting American leaders developing a joint U.S.-Saudi project to build the country’s civilian nuclear energy program, four people briefed on the plans told Semafor. The project — referred to as “nuclear Aramco” — is designed to bolster Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to produce, and potentially export, atomic energy, while also addressing U.S. …

Japan Moving Forward on Nuclear Accident Tolerant Fuels

Developed under a federal program to increase the accident tolerance of conventional uranium dioxide fuel pellets, advanced doped pellet technology (ADOPT) fuel pellets feature an increased uranium density that “significantly enhances the safety and reliability of pressurized water reactors as well as enables customers to improve fuel cycle economics and extend their operating cycles,” Westinghouse …