British Energy
The UK government is planning to divest its stake in British Energy. Consequently, a number of UK and European energy players have expressed an interest in buying the utility, as its assets can be used for future nuclear build. Although the acquisition may result in market consolidation, the real result would be increased electricity generation capacity and a greater security of supply in the UK.
Datamonitor 3rd April 2008 more >>
Shares in British Energy climbed more than 6 per cent on Friday morning in expectation of a bid for the nuclear generator from EDF, the French electricity giant which is Europe’s biggest energy company. EDF’s chief executive Pierre Gadonneix is understood to have been given formal board approval to make a 100 per cent offer for the British company, which admitted last month that it was in takeover talks with a number of suitors.
Times website 4th April 2008 more >>
New Nukes
Centrica Plc. has expressed an interest in using land owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to develop new nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom. Thursday is the closing day of a month-long process launched by the NDA to gauge interest from parties wishing to use its sites across the United Kingdom, as part of the government’s push to build more nuclear power. An industry source said Centrica has expressed interest in the NDA sites. The UK energy provider, which currently has no nuclear assets, joins nuclear provider British Energy Group Plc. in expressing interest in the NDA’s sites. British Energy told Thomson Financial News that it is interested in NDA sites, particularly those adjacent to British Energy’s existing plants at Hunterston, Hinkley Point, Dungeness, Sizewell and Bradwell.
Interactive Investor 3rd April 2008 more >>
Centrica, EDF and Areva have all expressed an interest.
Independent 4th April (not on web)
Scotland
John Hutton, Westminster’s Business Secretary, yesterday dismissed as “inaccurate and ridiculous” claims he intended to grab planning powers from the Scottish Government so nuclear power stations could be built in Scotland. Mike Weir, the SNP’s energy spokesman at the Commons, raised the issue during questions to the Secretary of State. The MP for Angus asked Mr Hutton: “Whatever his plans for a new generation of Anglo-French nuclear plants, the minister will be aware that there is a majority in the Scottish Parliament, including many of his own party, who are thoroughly opposed to new nuclear plants. Will the minister take this opportunity to deny weekend reports he is seeking to remove the Scottish Parliament’s planning powers in respect to nuclear stations?”
Herald 4th April 2008 more >>
Iran
Iran has moved its nuclear programme forward by installing new, more powerful centrifuges to enrich uranium, it was reported yesterday. Iran has installed as many as 300 second-generation centrifuges at its nuclear site in Natanz, according to diplomats cited by news agencies in Vienna, the home of the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
FT 4th April 2008 more >>
Reuters 3rd April 2008 more >>
Finland
Electricity generator Fortum has submitted an environmental impact assessment report to Finland’s Ministry of Employment and the Economy, for a 1,000MW to 1,800MW nuclear power plant unit, Loviisa-3, to be built on the Hastholmen Island in Loviisa, Finland.
Energy Business Review 3rd April 2008 more >>
Star Wars
NATO leaders endorsed a controversial US missile shield for Europe yesterday, and US and Czech officials agreed on deployment of the first element – an advanced radar, despite strong Russian opposition.
Scotsman 4th April 2008 more >>
UAE
The United Arab Emirates says that it will develop peaceful nuclear power capability in a move that will make it the first state in the Gulf to build nuclear power plants. Local reports indicate that the UAE Cabinet has approved a policy on nuclear energy that would see the country establish a Nuclear Energy Implementation Organisation (NEIO). It has made it clear that its programme will not involve uranium enrichment.
Modern Power Systems 3rd April 2008 more >>
Companies
Redhall Group plc, a specialist engineering support services group, has formed an agreement with ONET Technologies (ONET) a French nuclear services group, to provide integrated nuclear services to the UK and wider European market.
New Civil Engineer 3rd April 2008 more >>
Reprocessing
The International Nuclear Recycling Alliance (INRA), led by Areva and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has agreed an extension to a contract with the US Department of Energy to evaluate closing the commercial nuclear fuel cycle in the US, Areva said. The French group said the contract extension is worth $5.7 million to INRA. The initial contract was awarded last October as part of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, which seeks to close the nuclear fuel cycle by recycling used fuel in ways that both minimize proliferation risks and reduce the volume and toxicity of final waste residues.
Interactive Investor 3rd April 2008 more >>
