AP1000
Westinghouse has so far failed to convince regulators that its AP1000 reactors can withstand freak weather or plane crashes. “At this stage Westinghouse has not presented an adequate safety case for external hazards,” concluded the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last week. This echoes comments from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in October, which said the firm must rethink the “fundamental engineering standards” of the reactor housing. The US plans to build 14 AP1000s; China four. For its nuclear programme, the UK is considering the AP1000 and the European pressurised water reactor (EPR), developed by Areva and EDF. The EPR is the front runner, but its design was also criticised by the HSE. Kevin Allars of the HSE adds that neither reactor is unsafe and the criticisms are a normal part of the regulatory process. The nuclear companies say they are addressing the problems.
New Scientist 1st Dec 2009 more >>
Hinkley
Vorderman, a former presenter on the Channel 4 show Countdown, is supporting the Save Our Valley (SOV) campaign in North Somerset. The group was formed to stop plans by National Grid to install pylons across the countryside landscape of Nailsea, Backwell and Wraxall. The new line – from Bridgwater to Avonmouth – would bring electricity from the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset.
Independent 1st Dec 2009 more >>
Companies
THE nuclear division of engineering giant Amec is doubling its North East workforce as it looks to increase its profile in an energy sector poised for rapid growth.
Newcastle Journal 1st Dec 2009 more >>
THE fact that North- East-based NOF Energy’s specialist nuclear advice line has taken calls from 90 companies in the past two months demonstrates how eager North-East firms are to become involved in the sector’s supply chain.
Northern Echo 1st Dec 2009 more >>
IAEA
Japanese diplomat takes over at IAEA.
Reuters 1st Dec 2009 more >>
South Africa
Westinghouse Electric has been selected by Eskom in South Africa to provide three reloads of fuel for Koeberg nuclear power plant beginning in late 2011 and ending in 2015.
Energy Business Review 2nd Dec 2009 more >>
Iran
Russia signalled a dramatic toughening of policy towards Iran yesterday by declaring that it was ready to back sanctions against Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Times 2nd Dec 2009 more >>
Relations between the US and Iran are approaching a death spiral. Tehran is defiantly pursuing its nuclear programme, recently announcing its intention to build 10 new enrichment facilities. Many US policymakers are growing sceptical about the prospects for diplomacy and pushing for new sanctions. Right now, this would be a serious mistake; new sanctions would poison talks in which Iran’s fractured government might yet reach a “yes”. Instead, the Obama administration should move quickly to make a broad proposal on Iran’s nuclear programme and leapfrog the interim deal over which negotiations are now stuck.
FT 2nd Dec 2009 more >>
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has ambitious plans to massively boost its output of the silvery metal, as evidenced by this year’s production. Kazatomprom, the country’s national nuclear corporation, said in a press release last month that the country boosted uranium output an eye-watering 61 per cent year-on-year in January-September to 9,535 tons, 3 per cent above the government’s target for the period. Part of the reason for Kazakhtatomprom’s success was opening five new mines last year. According to Kazatomprom’s statistics, global uranium output in 2009 is projected to be 11,000 tons in Canada, 9,430 tons in Australia and 12,800 tons in Kazakhstan.
Small Cap News 1st Dec 2009 more >>
Climate
The Copenhagen summit is the world’s last chance to save the planet from “catastrophic” global warming, according to a major study led by Lord Stern of Brentford, the country’s leading authority on climate change.
Telegraph 2nd Dec 2009 more >>
What could be more certain to influence the course of global political history than a hothouse of lobbyists with vested interests blooming into friendships with key negotiators? The most furious activity is likely to centre around the most powerful countries, according to Ben Stewart, a Greenpeace officer, who will be making it his business to know who companies are wooing next week – and doing his own share of influencing as well. “What’s different about the UK is that it isn’t susceptible to the same corruption as the US political system when it comes to lobbying,” he says. “That’s why Big Oil won’t be wasting its time and money hanging around Ed Miliband. It will all be done through the US.”
Telegraph 2nd Dec 2009 more >>
Preventing runaway global warming may be twice as expensive as previously thought and Britain will have to incur billions of pounds of additional debt to cover its share of the cost, according to the world’s most influential climate change economist. Lord Stern of Brentford said that future generations would find it easier to pay off the debt than to cope with the consequences of climate change. He called for air passengers to pay a significant proportion of the cost through a new global tax on flights, and shipping should also contribute through a new tax on bunker fuel.
Times 2nd Dec 2009 more >>
12 days to save the world.
Independent 2nd Dec 2009 more >>
