UK must act on nuclear to meet net-zero aims, review finds

Published: Fri, 13 Jan 2023 15:48:45 GMT

Investment in new nuclear is "a no-regrets option", according to an independent review of the UK government's approach to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Its report makes a number of recommendations for the government to meet its Net Zero Strategy, released in October 2021, in which new nuclear plays a significant part.

Czechs update geological repository target date

Published: Fri, 13 Jan 2023 12:53:23 GMT

The Czech government has said it will seek to meet the European Union's 2050 deadline for operation of a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel - but said it would continue to put the case for the deadline to be revised.

US cleanup mission looks to build on 2022 success

Published: Fri, 13 Jan 2023 14:49:28 GMT

The US Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management achieved most of its goals for calendar year 2022, with all but three of the priorities on its mission "scorecard" for the year complete or partially complete. All six of its primary mission areas have received increased funding under the recently enacted budget for fiscal 2023.

IAEA's Grossi and the Pope discuss nuclear issues

Published: Fri, 13 Jan 2023 15:37:11 GMT

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said there had been progress on a safety zone at Zaporizhzhia, but added that the "negotiating table has got bigger", with military officials involved. He gave the update in an interview after an audience with Pope Francis in which the two spoke about the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, as well as non-proliferation.

Planning consent granted for General Fusion demo plant

Published: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 15:50:56 GMT

Construction of General Fusion's Fusion Demonstration Plant at the UK Atomic Energy Authority's Culham Campus near Oxford, England, is expected to start later this year following the granting of planning permission by the South Oxfordshire District Council Planning Committee.

Korean nuclear suppliers team up for export drive

Published: Fri, 13 Jan 2023 13:45:35 GMT

South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy convened a meeting in Seoul with relevant organisations and suppliers to enhance cooperation among members of Team Korea, especially its capacity in nuclear power plant construction.

South Korea increases expected contribution of nuclear power

Published: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:47:52 GMT

Nuclear energy will account for 34.6% of South Korea's electricity generation by 2036, compared with 27.4% in 2021, according to the latest plan finalised by the country's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Vogtle 3 projected to enter service in April

Published: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:46:24 GMT

Georgia Power has said the unit is now expected to reach initial criticality during February and to be in service in April, a slight delay from the company's previous projections that the AP1000 unit would be in service during the first quarter of this year.

ITER to replace 23km of cooling pipes on thermal shield panels

Published: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:51:08 GMT

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor fusion project has given a progress update on tackling the defects discovered last year in the thermal shields and vacuum vessel sector. It hopes to tender for the thermal shield work, and have a contractor in place, by the end of March.

Changes to Swedish law proposed to enable nuclear new build

Published: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:28:55 GMT

A proposal to amend Sweden's legislation on nuclear power has been presented by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari. The proposed changes would remove the current law limiting the number of reactors in operation to ten, as well as allowing reactors to be built on new plant sites, rather than just existing sites.