New nukes
THE public will get the chance to hear the outline proposals for new nuclear power stations at Sizewell and Bradwell next month. British Energy is arranging public meetings “to keep people informed on the decision-making process and to hear views on the impact this may have on the area”. People will also be able to learn about the four different reactor designs being considered.
The Advertiser 25th Feb 2008 more >>
The UK will help develop international policy on the use of nuclear power by joining the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, Business Secretary John Hutton said. The GNEP is part of US president George Bush’s “advanced energy initiative” and seeks to develop a worldwide consensus on enabling expanded use of economical, carbon-free nuclear energy to meet growing electricity demand. Mr Hutton, who will sign the agreement during a two-day visit to Washington, will also meet with US energy companies to discuss potential investment in new nuclear build in the UK.
Channel 4 News 26th Feb 2008 more >>
GNN 26th Feb 2008 more >>
View London 26th Feb 2008 more >>
AFX 26th Feb 2008 more >>
Ultra Electronics has begun talks with British Energy to secure a potentially lucrative foothold in the civil nuclear energy market. The company provides control systems to Rolls-Royce for the UK’s nuclear-powered submarines and believes there is an opportunity to develop similar systems for the civil market.
FT 26th Feb 2008 more >>
One of the UK’s largest power stations, the Teesside power station near Middlesbrough, has been purchased by French energy companies Gaz de France and Suez in a deal thought to be worth £200m-£300m. The deal comes at a time of strong investor interest in UK power stations, reflecting high electricity prices and the attractive profit margins available in the market. Suez has expressed an interest in building up its electricity generation business in the UK and is understood to be one of the 10 groups talking to British Energy about building a new generation of nuclear reactors.
FT 26th Feb 2008 more >>
NDA
The government agency in charge of nuclear clean-up was accused by politicians yesterday of letting its budget soar “out of control” – making it impossible to estimate the cost of atomic waste that would be created by any new generation of power plants. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority fought back against a barrage of criticism at the Commons public accounts committee by saying it was bringing modern management methods to bear on an issue over which the country had for 50 years “looked the other way”.
Guardian 26th Feb 2008 more >>
Denton Wilde Sapte, Hammonds, Linklaters and Pinsent Masons are advising the four bidding consortia on the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) £17bn winding-down of the nuclear plant at Sellafield – the UK’s largest non-military procurement in the market.
The Lawyer 25th Feb 2008 more >>
A Millom graduate is set to become a key figure in devising decommissioning plans for Sellafield.
North West Evening Mail 25th Feb 2006 more >>
Nuclear Skills
Manchester University is to create a £25m centre to train people to work and carry out research in the nuclear industry. The university aims to take advantage of the government’s plan, published in a white paper in January, to build a new wave of nuclear energy plants over the next 12 years. Billions of pounds are now estimated to be up for grabs for new buildings in the nuclear industry.
Guardian 25th Feb 2008 more >>
Nuclear Trafficking
Nuclear forensics needs an urgent shot in the arm if it is to keep track of the growing black market in radioactive materials. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which warns of a shrinking pool of expertise and resources. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, more than 1000 cases of illegal nuclear trafficking were discovered between 1993 and 2007.
New Scientist 25th Feb 2008 more >>
India
Nuclear negotiators from India resumed talks with officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna Monday, discussing India-specific nuclear safeguards, IAEA officials said. The talks, that had been going on since November have so far failed to reach agreement, adding pressure on the US-Indo nuclear deal. A key point was a failure to agree on a guarantee for uninterrupted fuel supply by the IAEA and giving India the right for corrective measures in case of disruption.
Earth Times 25th Feb 2008 more >>
America has already agreed to help India develop civilian-use nuclear power despite New Delhi’s failure to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and its insistence on retaining its nuclear weapons arsenal.
Telegraph 26th Feb 2008 more >>
Submarines
The UK and Norway will join forces once again under the Global Threat Reduction Programme to ensure another aging Russian nuclear submarine is successfully dismantled, Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks announced today. The UK and Norway will share the £3.9 million cost to dismantle the decommissioned November Class submarine No291, which will be de-fuelled and then towed to Nerpa Shipyard for dismantling.
GNN 25th Feb 2008 more >>
Iran
Britain’s envoy to the United Nations nuclear watchdog contradicted the findings of US intelligence officials who said Iran stopped developing a nuclear weapon in 2003.
Telegraph 26th Feb 2008 more >>
Time is working against the United States in its dispute with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme, Washington’s ambassador to the United Nations said in an interview published on Monday.
Reuters 25th Feb 2008 more >>
