New nukes
The prospects of a nuclear power renaissance in Britain are zero and the global industry is in steep decline, Green MEPs warned yesterday. An independent consultants’ study, the World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2007, casts severe doubts over the government’s expected proposals this year to build up to 10 nuclear power stations to replace a rapidly ageing capacity. Mycle Schneider, the report’s co-author, said the government’s plans were seriously jeopardised by an acute shortage of skilled engineers and manufacturing bottlenecks.
Guardian 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
British Energy
BRITISH Energy shares fell 4 per cent last night after the nuclear generator warned that recent inspections of its Heysham reactors might further dent its output this financial year. Latest inspections have shown a similar problem in the Heysham 1 Reactor 2 as at those discovered in Heysham 1 Reactor 1 and Hartlepool Reactor 1.
Scotsman 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
BILL Coley, chief executive of British Energy, last night issued an impassioned plea to Scotland’s business community to lobby against the Scottish Government’s anti-nuclear power stance. In the keynote speech at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce annual dinner in Glasgow, the South Carolina-born Coley put himself on a collision course with the Scottish Government, claiming that neither the carbon reducing targets, nor the provision of “ample, reliable, affordable” electricity were achievable without a nuclear element in the mix.
Scotsman 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
China
Russia and China have signed four agreements on nuclear energy collaboration at a meeting between the two countries’ prime ministers, the China Daily has reported. The pact, which includes agreements on uranium enrichment and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, is part of a wider Sino-Russian strategic partnership that aims to promote bilateral trade and investment ties.
Modern Power Systems 21st Nov 2007 more >>
Iran
A meeting between Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is to take place on Nov 30 in London.
Forbes 21st Nov 2007 more >>
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ruled out giving “the slightest concession” in Iran’s atomic standoff, amid doubts over whether new talks with the European Union would go ahead.
Middle East Online 21st Nov 2007 more >>
Armenia
The US is backing Armenian plans to build a new atomic power station by 2016 to replace a Soviet-era nuclear plant that has raised safety concerns.
Interactive Investor 21st Nov 2007 more >>
Times 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
Jordan
The European Commission has signed an energy cooperation deal with Jordan, which will see Brussels giving the Hashemite Kingdom technical assistance to create legislation and regulations that “promote highest standards of nuclear safety.”
Nuclear Engineering International 20th Nov 2007 more >>
Opinion Poll
59% of the UK population believe nuclear power is needed as part of the energy mix according to a YouGov poll for EDF Energy.
The Engineer 21st Nov 2007 more >>
Turkey
Demand for electricity in Turkey is growing at 8 per cent a year. Most estimates predict that the country’s current generating capacity will cease to meet demand in the next two years. The government has also proposed up to three nuclear power plants within the next decade.
FT 21st Nov 2007 more >>
Dounreay
THE cost to taxpayers of cleaning up the Dounreay nuclear plant has soared by more than £600 million and could become even more expensive, it has been revealed. The decommissioning of the Caithness complex and creating a near-greenfield site was due to be completed by 2032 at a cost of £2.9 billion. However, the figure for the latest long-range proposal for the site, known as the Lifetime Plan, has jumped to almost £3.6 billion. The new costs were revealed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which now owns the Dounreay site, in its three-year programme which has gone out for consultation. The NDA said the main reasons for the increase were improved estimating of costs in later years and the identification of gaps in previous plans.
Scotsman 21st Nov 2007 more >>
Herald 21st Nov 2007 more >>
DOUNREAY is to open a public information centre to improve its communication about the clean-up and closure of the site. The new facility will give members of the public access to information about the £150-million-a-year decommissioning project and let them talk directly to Dounreay staff.
John O Groat Journal 21st Nov 2007 more >>
Sellafield
The NDA is looking to make money out of completing reprocessing contracts but it is adamant that it is not looking for new contracts.
Whitehaven News 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
