Nuclear Subsidies
Energy secretary Chris Huhne has denied allegations that his ‘prejudices’ against nuclear power contributed to the cancellation of the £80million loan to a company building power plant components.
Metro 1st July 2010 more >>
BBC 1st July 2010 more >>
Doncaster Free Press 1st July 2010 more >>
Chris Huhne has denied his personal historical opposition to nuclear power would prevent new nuclear power stations being built. Speaking during energy questions in the Commons this morning the energy secretary said that the government would remove all “unnecessary obstacles” to the construction of nuclear power plants but would not provide public subsidy of any project.
Huhne was responding to Labour MP Ian Lavery who said there was a “huge conflict” between the Conservatives and Lib Dems on the issue of nuclear power.
epolitix 1st July 2010 more >>
The coalition government will support new power stations, but none will get built. They have achieved this by declaring that if you are, say, an ordinary businessman or woman who would like to construct a few, you’re welcome. But you won’t get a penny of public money. Which at least will stop Richard Branson choosing to build any. Would you want to live near a Virgin version of Sellafield? I thought not.
Guardian 2nd July 2010 more >>
Supply Chain
MAJOR players from the nuclear industry have issued a challenge to Yorkshire’s engineers, manufacturers and scientists to “step up to the plate” and become key parts of the multi-billion pound supply chain for the next wave of nuclear power stations to be built in the UK and overseas. Senior figures from EDF, Areva and Rolls-Royce told a conference in Leeds this week that they have already begun choosing suppliers and invited the region’s companies to get involved with the enormous civil engineering programme.
Yorkshire Post 1st July 2010 more >>
Global management consultancy Arthur D. Little has produced a major new study that examines the management and technology issues facing nuclear new build projects and provides a comprehensive framework to help owners overcome potential obstacles and reduce risk. Nuclear New Build Unveiled analyzes the current status of and trends within the nuclear industry, particularly in the context of many projects being run on very tight time schedules by teams with little or no experience of nuclear new build.
Consultant News 1st July 2010 more >>
Lord Flowers Obituary
Brian Flowers was a highly regarded British nuclear physicist who worked in Britain’s nuclear weapons programme and in its civilian nuclear power equivalent. Between 1973 and 1976 he conducted an inquiry into the long-term environmental implications of nuclear power within the context of the UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The sixth report of the royal commission, entitled Nuclear Power and the Environment, was known as the Flowers Report. It created much public interest and had considerable influence. It specifically addressed issues related to the use of plutonium as a fuel for commercial nuclear power reactors. Although Flowers was always pro-nuclear, the evidence presented during the public inquiry profoundly influenced him. Among the report’s conclusions is: “We should not rely for energy supply on a process that produces such a hazardous substance as plutonium unless there is no reasonable alternative.” It gave warning about the danger that a terrorist group would use plutonium to fabricate a primitive nuclear explosive. This concern remains equally valid 30 years later.
The Times July 1 2010 more >>
Areva
The fallout (if you’ll pardon the expression) from French nuclear giant AREVA’s parlous financial state continues. Following fast after AREVA’s announcement that its disastrous construction of the state of the art OL3 reactor at Olkiluoto in Finland has pushed the company into the red, credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s have downgraded the company’s credit rating. S&P blamed AREVA’s ‘weakened profitability’ which ‘will continue to be depressed over the next couple of years’. Basically, OL3 ate all of AREVA’s money. But never fear, S&P do see a way out for AREVA from its financial black hole. How? S&P also suggested the French government “would provide timely and sufficient extraordinary support to AREVA in the event of financial distress.”
Greenpeace Nuclear Reaction 29th June 2010 more >>
Oldbury
The recent discovery of the £4 billion black hole in the budget for decommissioning nuclear power stations, including Oldbury, is yet another blow to plans for new nukes. However it would appear that despite this, the new coalition government is still pushing ahead with what look set to be vast subsidies to the nuclear industry via the so-called Fixed Unit Price (FUP).
Ruscombe Greee 2nd July 2010 more >>
Trawsfynydd
STEPS to decommission a redundant nuclear power station in North Wales could be accelerated. Owners of the Trawsfynydd station Magnox North want the site decommissioned by 2014 rather than 2022. The work involves removing low and intermediate waste and storing it in underground crates mixed with concrete.
Western Mail 2nd July 2010 more >>
Sellafield
SELLAFIELD has been named amongst the UK’s top apprentice employers. The organisation currently employs 320 apprentices and works closely with training provider GEN II to deliver industry-specific skills to its workforce.
Whitehaven News 1st July 2010 more >>
People
Neil Proud has become the business manager for the nuclear industry team at engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash.
He started his working career in West Cumbria at Sellafield before moving on to become managing director of Deva Manufacturing. He will be the nuclear decommissioning manager at the Warrington offices.
Whitehaven News 30th June 2010 more >>
IAEA
The UN nuclear agency says its top inspector – who has led investigations into Iran and Syria – has resigned after nearly 30 years of service.
BBC 1st July 2010 more >>
Finland
The Finnish Parliament approved the construction of two nuclear power plants on Thursday, the latest victory for proponents of atomic energy in Europe.
New York Times 1st July 2010 more >>
BBC 1st July 2010 more >>
FT 2nd July 2010 more >>
Final parliamentary approval for two new reactor projects in Finland has put the new build ball into the utilities’ court to complete their planning and agree on waste disposal. Approving decisions in principle made by the cabinet in May, Finland’s Edkunta left the way clear today for two utilities to build new nuclear generating capacity. Both Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) and Fennovoima said they were “very pleased” with the result, adding that their plans would benefit Finland as a whole. They may now select a reactor supplier and begin the year-long process with government to obtain a construction licence.
World Nuclear News 1st July 2010 more >>
Factbox on the two winning bids.
Interactive Investor 1st July 2010 more >>
Russia
Russia on Wednesday took a big step toward the controversial creation of the world’s first floating nuclear power station, putting a barge that will house the plant into the water. Environmentalists say Russia’s plan to dot its northern coastline with floating nuclear power plants is risky. The head of Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko, said the plant would be “absolutely safe” and predicted “big interest from foreign customers.”
STV 1st July 2010 more >>
Germany
German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said on Wednesday that he was pushing for an extension of the lifespans of the country’s 17 nuclear plants. Even inside the cabinet, Bruederle faces a more nuclear-sceptical stance taken by Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen.
Bruederle assured the industry that he would defend its interest to be granted longer nuclear life cycles in combination with a tax on nuclear production proposed by the government in early June
Interactive Investor 1st July 2010 more >>
