French Problems
The new-generation European pressurised reactor, which was supposed to spearhead French exports appears to be presenting one problem after another for Areva. This week, safety authorities from three countries – France, Finland and the UK – asked the French group to modify the control and command systems of the EPR. This is just the latest in a series of embarrassing setbacks that have already cost Areva in Finland alone, where one of the very first EPRs is being assembled, about 3.2bn in provisions so far. But it is not only Areva that is facing the heat. The French electricity behemoth EDF is also grappling with big problems of its own. For the second year running, France will have to import electricity at peak hours during the winter to avoid the risk of black-outs because its own reactors cannot keep up with the demand. Almost one third of the utility’s 58 reactors were out of service – either for maintenance or for other reasons. So much for the much touted efficiency of the French nuclear system. EDF critics claim the company has simply not focused sufficiently on improving the efficiency of its ageing nuclear facilities and instead preferred to embark on expensive international expansion sprees.
FT 4th Nov 2009 more >>
France was trying to avert a crisis of confidence yesterday over its new-generation EPR nuclear reactor after regulators in three countries raised questions over control and safety systems. French government officials are expected to contact authorities in the United Arab Emirates in an attempt to assuage concerns as the Gulf state weighs bids in one of the world’s biggest nuclear tenders on offer. The French companies Areva, designer of the EPR, Total and GDF Suez are among three bidders for a contract to build at least four, and possibly up to six, reactors in the UAE.
FT 4th Nov 2009 more >>
The UK nuclear safety regulator (HSE’s ND), the French nuclear regulator (ASN), and the Finnish nuclear regulator (STUK) have all raised issues with AREVA regarding the EPR Control and Instrumentation (C&I) systems of its flagship nuclear reactor. The Evolutionary Power Reactor (EPR) Pressurised Water Reactors are currently being built in France and Finland, while EdF plans to deploy the design in the UK. The issues concern the adequacy of the safety systems that maintain control if the EPR nuclear reactor goes outside normal conditions and their independence from the control systems used to operate the plant under normal conditions.
Process Engineering 3rd Nov 2009 more >>
Companies
Carillion has signed a major Collaboration Agreement with French company Eiffage to deliver new nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom. Carillion and Eiffage will work together to deliver a new fleet of Pressurised Water Reactors to replace the existing fleet of reactors.
Builder and Engineer 3rd Nov 2009 more >>
Submarine Waste
THE Atomic Weapons Establishment facilities in Aldermaston and Burghfield are being considered as possible sites for storing radioactive waste by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), reports in a Scottish newspaper claim. The two West Berkshire sites are claimed to be on a list of 12 locations, which also includes naval bases and other civil nuclear facilities.
Newbury Weekly News, 3th Nov 2009 more >>
BBC 3rd Nov 2009 more >>
Low Level Waste
PLANS to increase the amount of radioactive waste buried on the Fylde coast have been submitted. Material from nuclear power plants across the North has been handled at Clifton Marsh landfill site since 1986. SITA UK has applied for permission to take more very low-level radioactive waste (VLLW) and low level radioactive waste (LLW) from a wider range of nuclear facilities.
Blackpool Gazette 3rd Nov 2009 more >>
North Korea
North Korea has increased pressure on the US to begin bilateral talks by claiming to have completed the reprocessing of 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods. The claim, made by state-run media, suggests that Pyongyang has weaponised the resulting plutonium at its Yongbyon nuclear facility.
View London 4th Nov 2009 more >>
FT 4th Nov 2009 more >>
FT 3rd Nov 2009 more >>
Guardian 4th Nov 2009 more >>
The US will decide soon whether to accept North Korea’s offer of bilateral talks.
Wales Online 4th Nov 2009 more >>
Iran
As the possibility of a UN-backed plan aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to make nuclear weapons has been given a glimmer of hope in not being rejected outright by the Iranian government it is worth considering why Iran is being singled out so acutely and unfairly over its nuclear policy. Clearly, the west and Russia are engaged in discriminating against it. Brazil has had a nuclear-enrichment programme for decades (including a large ultracentrifuge enrichment plant, several laboratory-scale facilities, a reprocessing facility to make plutonium, and a missile programme). In the 1980s it built two nuclear devices.
Prospect Magazine 2nd Nov 2009 more >>
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, on Tuesday delivered a stern warning to Iran’s hard-line leader amid signs that the west’s patience with Tehran’s prevarication on its nuclear programme was running out.
FT 4th Nov 2009 more >>
Czech Republic
Three companies have placed preliminary bids to build upto five nuclear reactors for Czech power firm CEZ, CEZ said on Tuesday, in what is expected to be the country’s biggest-ever procurement deal. CEZ Chief Executive Martin Roman confirmed that Russia’s Atomstroyexport, the Westinghouse Electric unit of Toshiba Corp and France’s Areva were the only bidders.
Interactive Investor 3rd Nov 2009 more >>
US
French energy company EDF and Constellation Energy, a Baltimore, Maryland-based power generator, have received regulatory approval for a nuclear joint venture announced in January. EDF and Constellation received the go-ahead today from the Maryland Public Service Commission (MPSC) for a joint venture that would see the French firm acquire a 49.99% stake in Constellation’s nuclear generation and operation business for $4.5 billion.
Risk.net 3rd Nov 2009 more >>
Climate
International negotiators lost one of the key elements to a successful deal on global warming today after Democratic leaders in the US Congress ruled out passing a climate change law before 2010. In the latest obstacle on the road to the UN summit in Copenhagen next month, Senate leaders ordered a five-week pause to review the costs of the legislation.
Guardian 4th Nov 2009 more >>
