New Nukes
Electricite de France SA, the world’s biggest operator of nuclear reactors, remains “on track” to start output at its first new atomic plant in the U.K. in 2018, according to Vincent de Rivaz, the head of its U.K. operations. The utility, based in Paris, plans to build four reactors at the sites of existing nuclear stations at Hinkley Point in southwest England and at Sizewell in the southeast. It’s currently constructing its 59th domestic reactor at Flamanville in Normandy, which has been delayed by as much as two years, while a plant in China is on schedule.
Bloomberg 13th Sept 2010 more >>
Speaking at a nuclear suppliers’ event organised by EDF Energy, the French company planning to build Britain’s first nuclear plants in decades, Cable said he used to have much “scepticism towards nuclear economics.” But Cable, a former university economics lecturer and chief economist at oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell, said that a 40 billion-pound investment in new reactors could help the British economy.
Yahoo 13th Sept 2010 more >>
Nuclear Waste
It’s where Finland will store all of the high-level waste from its nuclear power programme, if things go according to plan. I last visited the Onkalo facility four years ago, when the entrance tunnel snaked about a kilometre down into the rock. Now it’s four times that length. It slopes fairly gently downwards because the rock that’s being excavated has to come up by truck, so the bottom level is now about 400 metres under the surface – just about the depth at which the canisters of waste would be placed. The purpose of this visit was recording material for a radio documentary centred on the UK’s plans for geological disposal of nuclear waste. (It’ll be broadcast next week, and I’ll be writing a longer feature then.) To be honest, the hole in the ground is not quite as interesting at present as the social questions that go alongside it.
BBC 13th Sept 2010 more >>
Hinkley
Protestors blocked the Hinkley Point main gates for almost an hour this liunch-time as they demonstrated against the premature destruction of upto 435 acres of open land and wildlife habitats before major consents are approved for the two giant reactors proposed by EdF.
Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy 13th Sept 2010 more >>
This is Somerset 13th Sept 2010 more >>
This is Plymouth 13th Sept 2010 more >>
EDF
Delegates to a nuclear suppliers’ conference taking place in central London this morning (Monday) were greeted by ten anti-nuclear activists displaying banners calling for a boycott of energy giant, the organisers of the conference.
Stop Nuclear Power 13th Sept 2010 more >>
EDF Energy announced £50 million of contracts already awarded to 130 UK firms at its second new nuclear supply chain event this week. The firm said another 150 major contracts – worth billions of pounds – will be tendered should its plans to build four new reactors be approved. Both Vince Cable and Charles Hendry were at the event, and EDF chief executive Vincent de Rivaz used the platform to call for increased government commitment.
Utility Week 14th September 2010 more >>
EDF Energy UK Suppliers Forum will meet today to discuss future designs for nuclear installations. EDF initially plans to build four new UK EPR reactors in the UK, with the first two at Hinkley Point, and two more at Sizewell.
The Engineer 13th Sept 2010 more >>
Germany
Chancellor Angela Merkel had hoped that with a quick resolution, she could sidestep a national debate over nuclear energy. Many, though, see her new plan as a windfall for the country’s power utilities. Opposition, both within her government and elsewhere, is on the rise.
Der Spiegel 13th Sept 2010 more >>
Jordan
Jordan and Japan have signed an agreement that will enhance and develop cooperation between both countries in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The agreement, signed 10 September, could pave the way for the development of an ATMEA1 (Areva/MHI) nuclear power plant in Jordan. ATMEA1 is among three reactor designs being considered for Jordan’s first nuclear power plant. (The other reactors are Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd’s Enhanced CANDU 6 (EC6), and the AES-92 VVER-1000 reactor from Russia’s Atomstroyexport)
Nuclear Engineering Internatonal 13th Sept 2010 more >>
Trident
The country could be left without its sea-borne nuclear deterrent for weeks at a time under cost-saving plans being discussed by the coalition. Downing Street yesterday refused to deny it is considering leaving all nuclear missile-carrying submarines in port for extended periods. That would undermine the principle that there is always a submarine at sea to protect the country from attack.
Daily Mail 14th Sept 2010 more >>
Downing Street said the practice of maintaining a Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD) is being “looked at” as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. But Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, told MPs that the Government is committed to always having a nuclear-armed submarine at sea at all times.
Telegraph 14th Sept 2010 more >>
Liam Fox has thrown his weight behind the policy of keeping a nuclear-armed submarine patrolling at sea at all times, amid a lively debate within government over amending Britain’s nuclear posture.
FT 14th sept 2010 more >>
Renewables
Spanish power giant Iberdrola is today expected to announce a multi-billion pound investment package in Scotlands renewable energy industry. The firm, which took over ScottishPower in 2007, will unveil its plans this morning as it welcomes a Scottish trade delegation led by the First Minister to its headquarters in Bilbao, the largest city in Spain’s autonomous Basque Country. Iberdrola has already declared it will plough at least 4bn into UK operations over the next three years, and it now looks likely that the vast majority of this will be channelled directly into Scotland.
Herald 13th Sept 2010 more >>
Mr Salmond headed a Scottish delegation to Iberdrola’s headquarters in the Spanish Basque country, where the company confirmed that it would be ploughing nearly £3bn into its Scottish operations. Amid so much gloom over public spending cuts and redundancies, it would be churlish not to welcome such news. It not only brings green jobs to Scotland but also should help the country move towards its ambitious targets for early and deep cuts in carbon emissions. Iberdrola is the global leader in wind power and the company has recently announced plans for a £164m expansion of the huge Whitelee wind farm near Glasgow. The UK arm of its engineering and construction business is coming to Lanarkshire and its global offshore renewables business is to be based in Glasgow. ScottishPower Renewables also has a 17% stake in the pioneering Norwegian tidal power company Hammerfest Strom.
Herald 14th Sept 2010 more >>
Hugh Richards
The Parliamentary Order Paper is a suitable place to praise the achievements of the Hugh Richards who died a fortnight ago.
Paul Flynn MP 11th Sept 2010 more >>
