New Nukes
Letter from Cllr Euan McLeod: Inefficient and expensive energy production will, indeed, be socially regressive, but the suggestion of Colin McInnes (Letters, 13 June) that new nuclear reactors will produce low-cost energy is extremely unlikely to come to fruition. Recent cost estimates from the United States suggest that capital costs of new reactors are out of control. New reactors are not just extremely expensive, but spectacularly expensive, with costs on track to reach at least 9p to 12p per kWh compared with the 3.1p to 4.4p estimated in the government’s white paper.
Scotsman 17th June 2009 more >>
New report from the Public Services International Research Unit at the University of Greenwich casts doubt on the ability of the nuclear industry to deliver its promised new reactors.
Greenpeace UK 16th June 2009 more >>
Two new heavy forging milestones have been reached with Russia’s new “super-powered” forge as large as any in the world and the first large pressure vessel completely made in China. Developments such as these are coming increasingly rapidly as the global supply chain prepares to meet a surge in orders for new nuclear power systems.
World Nuclear News 16th June 2009 more >>
The UK is unlikely to hand out subsidies for new nuclear development, according to the UK government’s new energy minister, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, who was appointed in June. When asked whether the UK would look to support new nuclear for subsidies, he replied, “Nuclear should be commercially viable. We don’t look to a subsidy to encourage development. “I believe the government’s role is to get the conditions right in which people make investment – that means the planning system and the system of regulatory consent. It has a longer-term vision; that’s where government puts its emphasis.”
Nuclear Engineering International 16th June 2009 more >>
NDA
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the taxpayer-funded body that owns Sellafield and is responsible for dealing with Britain’s estimated £73bn radioactive clean-up operation, is close to ending its year-long search for a chief executive. Tony Fountain, who recently stepped down as BP’s vice-president of marketing and refining, has been identified as the man to fill the post, which has been vacant since July, according to several industry sources. It is understood that his recommendation by the NDA board has been approved by ministers. An announcement confirming his appointment could be made as soon as this week.
Guardian 17th June 2009 more >>
Companies
Iberdrola, Spain’s largest energy utility, yesterday announced plans to raise at least 1.25bn ($1.73bn) in new capital through a share issue as part of a drive to reduce debt and maintain its credit rating. In April, a consortium of Iberdrola, GDF Suez of France and Scottish and Southern Energy of the UK pulled out of a contest to buy land on which to build nuclear power stations in Britain because of high prices. However, Mr Galn said this week that the company was still in negotiations with the UK nuclear agency.
FT 17th June 2009 more >>
Sizewell
It’s difficult to know whether to laugh at or use a long series of very rude words about this story from the UK’s Sizewell A nuclear reactor.
Nuclear Reactions 15th June 2009 more >>
Wylfa
Metals company Anglesey Aluminium has revealed details of its plans for a biomass plant which would make it self sufficient in electricity. The plant, next to its smelter at Holyhead on Anglesey, could open in 2013 and burn wood and plant waste.
BBC 16th June 2009 more >>
Hinkley
AROUND 30,000 leaflets plugging Bridgwater’s biggest attraction will be distributed throughout the country thanks to the generosity of Hinkley Point B. The nuclear power station is making a substantial contribution towards the costs of producing publicity material for Bridgwater Carnival for the fourth year running.
This is the West Country 16th June 2009 more >>
AN anti-nuclear campaign group has complained to the public spending watchdog about deals involved in the creation of a nuclear training academy at a Westcountry college. Sedgemoor District Council in Somerset and the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) have been criticised for gifting land and funding to Bridgwater College for its planned training hub. The council handed over a one hectare parcel of land, valued at £85,000, to the college and the RDA pledged £1.9 million to the development.
Western Morning News 16th June 2009 more >>
PLEX
Most nuclear power plants have a nominal design lifetime of up to 40 years but many have been approved to operate for longer. The possibility of component replacement and extending the lifetimes of existing plants are very attractive to utilities, especially given lingering public opposition to constructing new nuclear plants, while some governments see them as a way of limiting carbon emissions and power price rises. FACTBOX.
STV 16th June 2009 more >>
Reuters 16th June 2009 more >>
Nuclear Proliferation
When placed in relation to this “cautionary history”, North Korea and Iran are acting only as all other nuclear powers have acted in the past, for the main theme behind Stephanie Cooke’s book, “In Mortal Hands – A Cautionary History of the Nuclear Age,” is that of lies, deceit, deception, cover-ups, and secrecy to cover up the real issues with the nuclear industry.
Irish Sun 16th June 2009 more >>
Eastern Europe
Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, Lithuania and Poland all have plans to further develop their nuclear capabilities. In Europe we have a number of units under construction, and they are very good examples of how costly and complicated these projects are. Olkiluoto in Finland is one. A showcase project for the nuclear industry, there are already delays that could extend to three years, a budget overrun of 1.5 billion euros, and an incapacity of the French company Areva to live up to Finnish technical and safety requirements. A similar case is developing in Eastern Europe, where Bulgaria is determined to complete construction of the Belene nuclear plant. The cost of the reactor was to be 3 billion euros; it has gone up to 6 billion euros, and commercial banks are refusing to get involved.
IPS 8th June 2009 more >>
Iran
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says he believes Iran is mastering nuclear technology and it wants the option of a nuclear weapon.
BBC 17th June 2009 more >>
North Korea
Barack Obama said on Tuesday he would energetically strive to remove nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula and called on North Korea to stop its belligerent rhetoric and actions.
FT 17th June 2009 more >>
Guardian 17th June 2009 more >>
BBC 16th June 2009 more >>
Weapons Convoys
They are the most dangerous weapons on earth. They trundle through your town in heavily-armed convoys and they sail up the Clyde in submarines, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) won’t admit that they are there – and it may not tell the emergency services. A secret MoD manual released under freedom of information legislation reveals that it is official policy neither to confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear bombs even when it is “obvious”. And in some accidents police, fire and ambulance services may not be told unless they ask. The revelation has provoked alarm amongst councillors for the safety of members of the public and emergency workers. It is “downright silly” of the MoD not to warn councils when nuclear convoys are on the move, they say.
robedwards.com 16 June 2009 more >>
Trident
The Trident nuclear deterrent should be scrapped because it is too expensive and no longer meets Britain’s defence needs, the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg claims.
Telegraph 17th June 2009 more >>
Guardian 17th June 2009 more >>
Aldermaston
A number of anti-nuclear activists were charged with obstruction after protesting outside the Aldermaston nuclear bomb factory yesterday.
Reading Evening Post 16th June 2009 more >>
Renewables
Twenty blue chip German companies are pooling their resources with the aim of harnessing solar power in the deserts of north Africa and transporting the clean electricity to Europe. The businesses, which include some of the biggest names in European energy, finance and manufacturing, will form a consortium next month. If successful, the highly ambitious plan could see Europe fuelled by solar energy within a decade. The consortium behind what would be the biggest ever solar energy initiative will first raise awareness and interest among other investors for the project, known as Desertec, which is estimated to cost around 400bn (338bn).
Guardian 17th June 2009 more >>
