Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority to require new cooling system for boiling water reactors

Japan’s nuclear watchdog finalized a decision Wednesday to require operators of boiling water reactors — the same type as those at the crisis-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear complex — to install new emergency cooling systems. After soliciting public comments, the Nuclear Regulation Authority approved at a regular meeting the revision of safety regulations to make …

Japan’s Kyushu Elec likely to delay nuclear plant restart due to Kobe Steel checks

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power Co is likely to delay the restart of a nuclear plant by several months as it makes checks related to the data-fabrication scandal that has engulfed Kobe Steel Ltd, the Nikkei business daily reported on Wednesday. That comes as Japanese nuclear operators have been checking the safety of Kobe …

Kazakhstan to meet commitment of reducing uranium production in 2017

Kazakhstan’s total output of uranium or so called ‘yellow cake’ for the year will amount to 22,000 tons, Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said. Kazakhstan, which is the world’s first largest producer of uranium and second in its reserves, will reduce production in 2017 to 22,000 tons, compared with 24,000 tons in 2016. “Production of uranium …

Fukui’s push for reactor restarts reflects local economy’s reliance on nuclear power

Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa’s decision on Monday to give the go-ahead to restarting two reactors at the Oi nuclear plant highlights the local economy’s dependence on nuclear power, even 6½ years after the March 2011 Fukushima disaster. At a news conference, Nishikawa offered what he sees as the merits of a restart, saying the plant …

Russian and Brazilian firms to cooperate in nuclear power

Russia’s Rosatom has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Brazilian companies Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras (Eletrobras) and Eletrobras Termonuclear SA (Eletronuclear) to promote cooperation in nuclear power. It includes the possible construction of a new nuclear power plant in Brazil, Rosatom said. The MoU also covers services, including operation, maintenance and decommissioning work; nuclear fuel …

UK Industrial Strategy highlights ‘vital part’ of nuclear power

The nuclear sector is “integral to increasing productivity and driving growth” in the UK, according to the government’s Industrial Strategy White Paper launched today. In the UK, a White Paper is a government report giving information or proposals on an issue. Unveiling the White Paper, Business Secretary Greg Clark said the strategy sets out a …