Kepco’s losses pile up amid debate over anti-nuclear power policy

To blame or not to blame the performance of South Korea’s power generator on the anti-nuclear power policy? This question has emerged yet again following news of Korea Electric Power Corp.’s quarterly loss last week. State-owned Kepco said its operating loss reached 298.6 billion won ($248 million) in the second quarter, following its worst-ever first-quarter …

IEA rings alarm bell on phasing out nuclear energy

A steep decline in nuclear energy capacity will threaten climate goals and power supply security unless advanced economies find a way to extend the lifespan of their reactors, the International Energy Agency said. Nuclear is currently the world’s second-largest source of low-carbon electricity, behind hydropower, and accounting for 10 percent of global electricity generation. But …

4 companies consider jointly operating nuclear power plants

To deal with rapidly rising costs and other difficulties, four major companies are considering jointly constructing and operating nuclear power plants, sources said. Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings Inc., Chubu Electric Power Co., Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. are aiming to reach a basic agreement in late August toward the joint plan, according to the …

China nuclear capacity rises 9% in H1 as 2 new units built

China’s total nuclear capacity rose 9% in the first six months of the year to 48.7 gigawatts (GW) following the completion of two new units in the southeast province of Guangdong in June, the country’s nuclear association said. Nuclear power accounted for 4.75% of China’s total electricity output for the half-year, generating 160 billion kilowatt-hours …

Envoys meet in bid to save nuclear deal

Diplomats from Iran and several world powers recommitted Sunday to salvaging their nuclear deal amid mounting tensions between the West and Tehran. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said the emergency meeting in Vienna had yielded positive developments but had not “resolved everything.” “The atmosphere was constructive, and the discussions were good,” Abbas Araghchi told reporters. Araghchi …