Nuclear Sites
The government will this week kick off an ebay-style auction of sites on which some of Europe’s largest energy companies will build up to six new nuclear reactors. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will invite eligible companies including Scottish and Southern Energy, French groups EDF and Suez, the German groups RWE and E.ON, Iberdrola of Spain and Swedish energy group Vattenfall to start bidding for the three parcels of land.nThe companies will bid electronically as many times as they want and can track in real time the highest offer for each site, but not the identity of the bidder. The auction will close at the end of the month. The three parcels of land are all adjacent to soon to be closed or decommissioned nuclear reactors owned by the NDA at Wylfa in Anglesey, Bradwell in Essex and Oldbury near Bristol. EDF is also selling the land it bought near the Wylfa site.
Guardian 1st Mar 2009 more >>
MoX Shipment
France is set to send recycled nuclear fuel to Japan in what environmentalists say is the biggest ever plutonium shipment and one that increases the chance of nuclear proliferation.
Yahoo 1st Mar 2009 more >>
Times 2nd Mar 2009 (not on web)
Faslane
Britain’s nuclear defence base at Faslane could be under threat from terrorists because aerial pictures of it are visible on Google Earth.
Telegraph 2nd Mar 2009 more >>
The Sun 2nd Mar 2009 more >>
Iran
Iran has enough fissile material to build one nuclear bomb, the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff said yesterday, underlining the gravity of the toughest foreign policy issue facing the Obama administration.
Guardian 2nd Mar 2009 more >>
Telegraph 2nd Mar 2009 more >>
Reuters 1st Mar 2009 more >>
Coal
Decisions about any new coal-fired power plants in the UK have been delayed until the autumn, prompting warnings from companies about the growing risk that the country could run out of electricity generating capacity.
Guardian 2nd Mar 2009 more >>