EDF
EDF, the French utility, said the cost of its new nuclear power station in northern France had increased by a third, raising fears that its planned UK plant may also be vulnerable to a similar budget blowout. But EDF Energy, the company’s UK subsidiary, insisted that the cost issues in Flamanville, Normandy, would have no bearing on its plans for Hinkley Point in Somerset. Flamanvile has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. EDF had originally hoped to have the plant running in 2012 and pencilled in a construction cost of €3.3bn. Last year that was revised upwards to €6bn, with start-up pushed to 2016. On Monday, EDF said the full cost would be €8.5bn. EDF blamed the budget increase on new regulatory requirements and lessons learnt in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima disaster.
FT 3rd Dec 2012 more »
French utility EDF has raised the cost of the construction of its next-generation nuclear reactor by more than 2 billion euros on Monday, the latest in a series of overruns for the first EPR reactor built in France. Stricter regulation in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster contributed to bringing the total cost of the 1,600-MW Flamanville European pressurized reactor to 8.5 billion euros ($11.11 billion), the group said.
Chicago Tribune 3rd Dec 2012 more »
EDF Press Release 3rd Dec 2012 more »
PLEX
Centrica plc welcomes the announcement issued today by EDF Energy regarding the plant life extensions of Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B power stations, extending the life of these stations by seven years from 2016 to 2023. This follows completion of the necessary technical, safety and economic evaluation and receipt of the relevant external consents. Centrica plc owns a 20% equity stake in Lake Acquisitions Limited with EDF Energy (80%) which operates eight nuclear power stations in the UK. In addition, Centrica also has a 20% option in respect to the new nuclear build project with EDF Energy.
Business Wire 4th Dec 2012 more »
EDF Energy is extending the operational life of two of its UK nuclear power stations by seven years. Hinkley Point B in Somerset, and Hunterston B in North Ayrshire, are now expected to remain operational until 2023. Both had been due to cease generation in 2016.
BBC 4th Dec 2012 more »
The operating life of Hunterston B nuclear power station in Ayrshire has been extended by seven years, power firm EDF Energy has announced. The company said a technical and economic evaluation of the plant confirmed it could operate until 2023.
BBC 4th Dec 2012 more »
Radwaste
No Ennerdale Nuclear Dump. New Group.
No End 3rd Dec 2012 more »
A graphic novel has been sent to the Chair of the Lake District National Park. The third in the series featuring an unassuming Cumbrian couple trying to make sense of the plan to dump high level nuclear wastes under their Lakeland home.
Radiation Free Lakeland 3rd Dec 2012 more »
Scotland
Scotland plans to generate enough renewable energy to account for 100 per cent of its electricity needs by 2020 – mostly through onshore and offshore wind farm developments, with some hydro and possibly just a little wave and solar. According to Scotland’s climate change and environment minister, Paul Wheelhouse, the country is well on its way, reaching 35 per cent in 2011 (ahead of its target of 31 per cent), and has another interim target of 50 per cent to be met by 2015.
Renew Economy 4th Dec 2012 more »
Japan
Tokyo Electric Power Co. and the government said Monday they will attempt to remove all 1,533 fuel assemblies in the spent-fuel pool perched atop reactor 4 at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 plant by the end of 2014. The schedule was moved up by a year amid lingering concerns about the condition of the unit, where hundreds of fuel assemblies had been stored before last year’s quake and tsunami.
Japan Times 4th Dec 2012 more »
Israel
The UN general assembly has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Israel to open its nuclear programme for inspection. The resolution, approved by a vote of 174 to six with six abstentions, calls on Israel to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) “without further delay” and open its nuclear facilities to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Those voting against were Israel, the US, Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.
Guardian 4th Dec 2012 more »
Gas
Chancellor George Osborne is to approve up to 30 gas-fired power stations as part of an Autumn Statement intended to boost private sector infrastructure investment and underpin long-term growth. The dramatic expansion of gas – seen by many Tory MPs as a source of cheap future energy – will be backed by possible tax breaks and a new regulatory regime for shale gas exploration. Environmentalists who want more emphasis on greener power are likely to be dismayed. Mr Osborne’s publication of a gas strategy fills in the gaps in the government’s energy plan. The chancellor believes the country will need up to 30 new gas-fired power stations to produce 26 gigawatts, replacing old coal, nuclear and gas plants.
FT 3rd Dec 2012 more »
Britain could have 30 new gas-fired power stations running by 2030 under a dramatic expansion of generation plans to be unveiled this week.
Telegraph 4th Dec 2012 more »
Renewables
With the help of the Japanese machinery maker Mitsubishi, Vestas Wind Systems hopes to build the world’s largest offshore wind turbine that would have a capacity of 8 megawatts – 30 percent more powerful than the largest turbine currently available, Bloomberg reported.
Penn Energy 29th Nov 2012 more »
Britain’s “dash-for-gas” strategy has been undermined just a day before chancellor George Osborne is set to place the fossil fuel at the heart of UK energy policy, as a new report finds the economy would be better off harnessing offshore wind instead. The British economy would be £20bn-a-year better off by 2030 if it favoured offshore wind over gas-fired generation as the driver of an essential overhaul of the country’s energy infrastructure over the next two decades to replace aging power plants and keep the lights on, according to Cambridge Econometrics, the think tank.
Independent 4th Dec 2012 more »
Fundamental ideological disagreements within the government about renewable energy have turned away droves of potential investors in crucial new green electricity generators, according to damning new research.
Independent 3rde Dec 2012 more »
