Iran
Iran’s former president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani on Friday called on officials to adopt a ‘wiser rhetoric’ in the course of the nuclear dispute.
Monsters and Critics 26th Jan 2007
Iran has demanded the removal of the UN official overseeing nuclear inspections in the country, accusing him of breach of trust.
Daily Mail 26th Jan 2007
North Korea
North Korea on Saturday dismissed speculation it was helping Iran develop its atomic programmes, insisting it was behaving as a responsible nuclear state.
Reuters 27th Jan 2007
South Korea’s foreign minister says the next round of international talks on North Korea’s nuclear program should resume early next month
Guardian website 26th Jan 2007
New nukes
New nuclear build in the UK will be subject to exactly the same factors that have made existing capacity such a colossal waste of money, with the added risk from the use of relatively new technology (EPR reactors), and the decreasing availability over time of high grade uranium ore. Current experience with the only new nuclear power scheme under construction in Europe (the Olkiluoto 3 reactor in Finland) shows no improvement against a history which has seen NO nuclear power station built anywhere, ever, come in on budget or to deadline. As of December 2006, construction of Olkiluoto 3 was reported to be 18-24 months behind schedule, and this isn’t even 18 months into the work, originally scheduled to take around four years.
Wikipedia 26 Jan 2007
Renewables
Half of the world’s energy needs in 2050 could be met by renewables and improved efficiency, a study claims. It said alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar, could provide nearly 70% of the world’s electricity and 65% of global heat demand. Following a “business as usual” scenario would see demand for energy double by 2050, the authors warned. The study, by the German Aerospace Center, was commissioned by Greenpeace and Europe’s Renewable Energy Council.
BBC 25th Jan 2007
China
Construction of China’s first high temperature gas-cooled reactor has begun at Rongcheng, in East China’s Shandong Province, local media reports.
Nuclear Engineeering International 26th Jan 2007
Russia
Russia’s lower house, the Duma, has passed a presidential reform bill covering the nuclear power sector and its development at the second reading. The bill aims to establish a state-controlled holding company, Atomenergoprom, which would hold existing civil nuclear assets. In addition the measures would allow other Russian corporate entities to possess nuclear installations, storage facilities and related materials, bringing to an end exclusive federal ownership of the sector.
Nuclear Engineeering International 26th Jan 2007
Mitsubishi
A 2002 deal with Westinghouse Electric Co to participate in its AP1000 advanced pressurised water reactor (APWR) development programme has been abandoned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The original agreement saw MHI involved in the development and design of the reactor core, system and equipment of the AP1000 reactor.
Nuclear Engineeering International 26th Jan 2007
Nuclear Skills
MP Jamie Reed has vowed to keep the pressure up to ensure everything is on schedule for the National Nuclear Academy.
North West Evening Mail 26th Jan 2007
Plans for the Academy are being unveiled.
Whitehaven News 26th Jan 2007
BBC 26th Jan 2007
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s economy and energy minister said he will ask EU energy ministers in February to consider restarting two recently closed reactors at the country’s only nuclear plant.
Interactive Investor 26th Jan 2007
Amec
NUCLEAR Project management business AMEC is investing around £500,000 in an extension to a nuclear science laboratory at Birchwood, Warrington, in a move which will create about a dozen jobs over the next 18 months as well as safeguarding the positions of 80 existing staff.
Manchester Evening News 26th Jan 2007
Trident
The MP for Elmet, Colin Burgon, wants to get our views on the future of Trident, and whether the UK should continue to possess nuclear weapons.
Nidderdale Herald 26th Jan 2007
Dounreay
A DOUNREAY trade union official is claiming the Far North is “dying on its feet” as a result of a failure to address uncertainties about the timetable for the site’s clean-up programme. John Deighan fears a further round of job losses caused by funding cuts will lead to more workers voting with their feet and joining the growing number leaving the area to join the oil industry.
John O’ Groat Journal 26th Jan 2007
DOUNREAY’S operators have been charged after a marathon probe into past waste management practices at the site. The UK Atomic Energy Authority is facing four charges under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. The indictment follows a report submitted to Far North area fiscal Alasdair MacDonald by the off-site regulator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It covers the alleged disposal of radioactive waste at a landfill dump on the Caithness site between 1963 and 1975. The UKAEA is also in the dock over nuclear fuel particles it is accused of releasing from the site into the surrounding environment between 1963 and 1984. The case is due to call at Wick Sheriff Court on February 6.
John O’ Groat Journal 26th Jan 2007
