New Nukes
Rival energy groups Eon and RWE are teaming up to build nuclear reactors in the UK, a move that reflects how even big companies are becoming more wary of making large, long-term investments. The two companies cooperate on running nuclear reactors in Germany, their home market, but before yesterday’s announcement they were fierce competitors in the UK.
FT 15th Jan 2009 more >>
E.ON and RWE, which jointly operate three nuclear stations in Germany, are expected to propose building at Wylfa, on Anglesey, where RWE has recently been granted approval for a connection to the National Grid, and at Oldbury, beside the River Severn in Gloucestershire, where E.ON has obtained similar permission. Paul Golby, chief executive of E.ON UK, said that the 50-50 joint venture would also explore the possibility of building reactors on other nuclear sites. These could include former British Energy sites such as Bradwell, in Essex, and Dungeness, in Kent, which EDF, British Energy’s new owner, may dispose of in the months ahead. In a blow for Areva, the French nuclear reactor designer, E.ON and RWE backed away from a commitment to any specific technology, despite an earlier memorandum of understanding signed by E.ON to back Areva’s EPR reactor design. RWE is understood to be minded to back the Toshiba-Westinghouse AP1000.
Times 15th Jan 2009 more >>
Builder and Engineer 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Guardian 15th Jan 2009 more >>
Energy Risk 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Construction News 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Reuters 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Nuclear Waste
Plans for a £110m radioactive waste storage site have been conditionally approved by Highland Council. Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) plans to build a series of disposal vaults adjacent to the present Dounreay site.
Planning Resource 14th Jan 2009 more >>
BBC 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Scotland
THE Greens last night appeared to be on the verge of landing a historic agreement that will ensure the current Scottish budget is passed. John Swinney, the finance secretary, appeared to concede ground to Holyrood’s two Green MSPs in their demands for £1 billion of free insulation for all houses over ten years. In his opening speech on the issue yesterday, Mr Swinney seemed to suggest he would offer them pilot schemes before a nationwide roll-out.
Scotsman 15th Jan 2009 more >>
Companies
A SUCCESSFUL – and amicable – takeover has strengthened the local nuclear industry’s links with France. It is the result of the acquisition of nuclear engineering specialist Gravatom by ONET Technologies, the French leader in the decommissioning field and experts in nuclear reactor maintenance.
Whitehaven News 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Cumbria
A KEY player is being sought to help spearhead a £2 billion vision to transform West Cumbria and create up to 16,000 jobs. Adverts have been placed to find an influential programme director to work with and drive a new private sector-led board aiming to breathe life into the area. West Cumbria Vision will take charge of regeneration projects along the county’s shoreline – replacing the West Cumbria Leadership Group, which has been leading the ambitious Energy Coast Masterplan.
Whitehaven News 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Sellafield
WORKING practices at Sellafield are to be put under the microscope. Experts are being called in from Nuclear Management Partners’ consortium companies in the US and France, as well as the UK, to scrutinise and assess methods being used across six core areas of the huge site over the next three months. It is a fundamental part of a 100-day plan. Changes are expected as NMP bids to get the best out of an annual £1.3 billion contract and the chance to earn a £50 million fee.
Whitehaven News 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Finland
Areva, the French nuclear plant designer expected to be at the forefront of a British atomic power revival, has become embroiled in a war of words with a Finnish utility over delays at the site of Europe’s first new nuclear station for 30 years. The latest setback will worry ministers in London who are trying to convince sceptics that nuclear can deliver quickly and efficiently to meet the looming energy “crunch” after 2015.
Guardian 14th Jan 2009 more >>
E.ON-Backed Finnish nuclear project applies for a decision on new nuclear power plant.It says it has a 34% share in the project to construct a new 1,500 – 2,500MW reactor in Finland at Fennovoima to be operational by 2020.
Interactive Investor 14th Jan 2009 more >>
News Finland 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Korea
South Korea’s deputy nuclear envoy is travelling to North Korea in the first high level visit in a year. Hwang Joon-kook is to survey unused nuclear fuel rods in North Korea. North Korea has strongly criticised US demands that it abandon its nuclear programme, saying it could not reveal its arsenal amid threats from the West. Mr Hwang said such comments were not new and that diplomatic efforts would continue to seek an end to the standoff with the North.
BBC 15th Jan 2009 more >>
LEADERS in North Korea said they will not give up their nuclear weapons until after the US alters its “hostile policy” toward the North’s government and proves it does not pose an atomic threat to the wartime rival.
Glasgow Evening Times 14th Jan 2009 more >>
Iran
President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee as Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, made it clear in her confirmation hearings that the new US administration will seek a policy of engagement with Iran. Nobody here, though, is hugely hopeful that this will necessarily secure an agreement by Tehran to halt its uranium enrichment programme.
BBC 15th Jan 2009 more >>
Test Veterans
A war veteran from near Chorley is taking his case to the High Court this month after being exposed to atomic bomb tests during the 1950s.
Chorley Guardian 14th Jan 2009 more >>
