Rosatom begins main phase work at Hungary’s Paks II nuclear plant

The start of construction follows amendments to the construction contract agreed in August 2023. Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom, has commenced main-stage construction of two new water-water energetic reactor (VVER)-1200 power units at the Paks II nuclear power plant (NPP) in Hungary, with a total power-generating capacity of 2.4GW. Rosatom’s …

Supply chain must expand to meet new build plans, report warns

The expansion of the nuclear power sector at the speed and scale required to meet net-zero, energy security and sustainable development targets will necessitate sustained and coordinated investment in the global nuclear supply chain, according to World Nuclear Association. The association’s World Nuclear Supply Chain 2023 covers the life cycle of nuclear power plants through construction, operation …

Federal funds announced for Saskatchewan SMR project

The Canadian government has approved CAD74 million (USD55 million) of federal funding for small modular reactor (SMR) development in Saskatchewan. The funding – including over CAD24 million from the proceeds of Canada’s pollution pricing system – will support work to advance the project led by utility SaskPower. In 2022, SaskPower selected GE-Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR for …

NRC completes Hermes environmental review

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on Kairos Power’s application for a construction permit for the Hermes demonstration molten salt reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Based on their review, NRC staff have recommended that the permit should be issued. Kairos submitted its permit application in two parts, …

Nuclear is ‘bedrock’ of Duke’s energy roadmap

Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress have recommended extending the lives of their existing nuclear power plants as well as building two new small modular reactors (SMRs) by 2035 in an energy portfolio that offers the most prudent way forward for North and South Carolina.  A new Integrated Resource Plan filed with the Public Service Commission …

Approval sought for second large Polish nuclear power plant

PGE PAK Energia Jądrowa has submitted an application to Poland’s Ministry of Climate for a decision-in-principle on the construction of the nuclear power plant consisting of at least two Korean-supplied APR1400 reactors in the Patnów-Konin region of Wielkopolska province in central Poland. PGE PAK Energia Jądrowa SA is a 50/50 joint special purpose vehicle formed …