New nukes
Rumours of a nuclear power renaissance have been greatly exaggerated. So says an audit of the nuclear industry released on Wednesday. The report, commissioned by the Greens in the European parliamentary, points out that many ageing reactors are due to close before 2030, and that 338 new ones would have to be built just to replace them. The Paris-based nuclear consultants who compiled the report argue that the industry is growing too slowly to meet this target, and may even be shrinking. The world has five fewer reactors operating today than it did in 2002, they say. Some 32 reactors are under construction, mostly in Asia and Eastern Europe, but 11 of those have been under construction for 20 years or more. Although 91 reactors are being planned, work on them has not yet started.
New Scientist, 22 November 2007 more >>
RobEdwards.com more >>
France
The French Atomic Energy Commission formally denied a report that it is ready to sell a 30 pct stake in nuclear power plant maker Areva. On Thursday, a labour union official said the head of the state agency had told Areva’s works council that it favoured selling the stake, a move that would reduce its holding from 79 pct to 49 pct.
Interactive Investor 23rd Nov 2007 more >>
Syria
A Syrian site bombed by Israel in September was probably a plant for assembling a nuclear bomb, an Israeli nuclear expert said Thursday, challenging other analysts’ conclusions that it housed a North Korean-style nuclear reactor.
AP 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
Iran
The UN atomic watchdog said Thursday it was in the dark about Iran’s disputed nuclear programme, as its 35-member board seemed divided on how to get Tehran to shed more light on its activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “has so far not been able to verify some important aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme,” its director general Mohamed ElBaradei told a board meeting here.
AFP 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
International divisions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions deepened yesterday after the world’s nuclear watchdog pleaded for more time for its inspections regime despite admitting international knowledge of Teheran’s nuclear programme had diminished.
Telegraph 23rd Nov 2007 more >>
Iran warned today that an attack on its nuclear facilities would trigger a “domino” effect across the Middle East as deeply divided world powers met to review Teheran’s co-operation with United Nations resolutions.
Telegraph 23rd Nov 2007 more >>
A senior Iranian envoy called yesterday for the UN Security Council to close the file on his country’s nuclear activities, saying Iran is close to dispelling fears about its intentions. But the US said Tehran only wants to “distract the world” and was using “delay tactics” while moving closer to being able to make atomic bombs.
Scottish Herald 23rd Nov 2007 more >>
Tehran expects the UN Security Council to close the file on its nuclear activities once it has answered all questions about its past atomic programmes, a senior Iranian envoy has said.
Channel 4 News 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
Iran’s track record of hiding nuclear activities means the UN cannot be sure about what Iran is doing now, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has said.
BBC 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is planning to build two smal VBER-300 reactors.
World Nuclear News 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
Baltic
The construction of a new nuclear power plant in Lithuania does not depend on Poland’s participation, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus said.
Gas&Oil 22nd Nov 2007 more >>
British Energy
British Energy was among the top performing stocks in London on Thursday as the market’s recent roller-coaster ride continued. Its shares rose 7.1 per cent to 4911⁄2p after ABN Amro said Centrica, up 5.7% to 3551⁄2p, should consider buying the nuclear power producer. Centrica has plans to spend about £2bn in the next three years on upstream gas assets and new power stations to supply its British Gas customers with electricity. However, ABN argued that by acquiring British Energy, Centrica – which it said could afford to pay a 40% takeover premium – would improve its competitive position in the domestic energy market and hedge its exposure to wholesale gas prices.
FT 23rd Nov 2007 more >>
