EDF
EDF has given up plans to sell its electricity distribution network in Britain because the French state electricity giant’s new boss is against the move, a financial news website reported Sunday. “Henri Proglio, who has always been opposed to this project that was initiated by (former EDF boss) Pierre Gadonneix, is set to announce soon that he is ending it,” Wansquare website said, citing British banking sources.
AFP 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Wylfa
Letter from Dr Carl Iwan Clowes: THE Department of Energy and Climate Change Office for Nuclear Development (OND) held a consultation exercise at Wylfa recently. Unfortunately, it did little to allay the fears for those of us who have genuine concerns about any future development of a nuclear power station on Ynys Mon.
Daily Post 20th Jan 2010 more >>
COLEG MENAI’S Llangefni site has been approved by the National Skills Academy to ensure the nuclear sector has a skilled workforce to meet future demands. The Llangefni site will also be the home of a new £6m Energy and Fabrication Centre which will house the National Skills Academy for Nuclear.
Western Mail 27th Jan 2010 more >>
France
Yesterday there was another shipment 500 tonnes of nuclear waste was going to leave France to go to Russia. Easy breezy! That is if Greenpeace was not there to stop them. Three teams of Greenpeace activists blocked that train carrying nuclear waste to the port to be loaded to go to Russia. Six Greenpeace activists chained themselves to the railway, at two locations en route to Cherbourg.
Nuclear Reaction 25th Jan 2010 more >>
Stop Oldbury 26th Jan 2010 more >>
GDF Suez SA and Areva SA are close to concluding a strategic partnership in the construction of nuclear reactors, French daily Les Echos reported, without citing anyone. The signing of the accord was to have taken place last week and was delayed by the dispute between Areva and Electricite de France SA, according to the newspaper. The agreement, which doesn’t include any financial stakes, would allow GDF Suez to take part in the Atmea nuclear reactor, Les Echos said.
Bloomberg 27th Jan 2010 more >>
Germany
Eight years ago, a German coalition government comprised of Social Democrats and Greens passed legislation phasing out the country’s nuclear power plants, which provide one-quarter of German electricity, after roughly 32 years of operation. Given that schedule, at least two of the country’s 17 nuclear reactors should be shutting down this year. But, after a September parliamentary election where a conservative block led by Chancellor Angela Merkel came to power, these plans appear to be on hold.
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists 22nd Jan 2009 more >>
Spain
A small Spanish town has become only the second to volunteer to host a nuclear waste dump that is becoming a hot potato for the government. The city hall of Asco voted Tuesday 7-2 in favor of building the facility, which will cost $910 million and create 300 jobs in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region. Demonstrators have rallied for the past two days against the project. Spanish media said opponents of the plan laughed in the town hall chamber when the mayor said he was not backing the project because of money.
USA Today 26th Jan 2010 more >>
The Catalonian town of Asc yesterday voted to bid for a controversial 700m nuclear waste dump, joining Yebra in Castilla-La Mancha as the second candidate to date* for the lucrative honour of storing the spent output of Spain’s nuclear power programme. The town council, with widespread local support, voted seven to two in favour of pitching for the contract, which will create around 300 jobs for five years and considerably swell municipal coffers.
The Register 26th Jan 2010 more >>
