THORP
Nuclear watchdogs are raising doubts about the future of Sellafield’s Thorp plant, Britain’s main nuclear fuel reprocessor, which remains dogged by technical problems. The plant has been shut for two years. Although it began limited small-scale reprocessing last month, there is no target date for full-scale production. The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), the main safety regulator, has asked Sellafield Ltd to outline a strategy for cleaning up fuel should Thorp remain out of action for the long term. At the same time the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which owns and manages all state-owned nuclear assets, is considering changing the way that spent fuel is sent to and stored at Sellafield. The regulator’s scrutiny of Thorp is triggering union fears about the future of nuclear clean-up in Britain and the impact on thousands of jobs. Prospect, the white-collar union, is giving warning of industrial action if Thorp’s problems result in compulsory job cuts.
Times 6th August 2007 more >>
Japan
Inspectors from the UN atomic energy agency have begun assessing the safety of the world’s biggest nuclear power station, which was hit by a 6.8magnitude earthquake last month.
Times 6th August 2007 more >>
US
Nuclear capacity is another story altogether: it is so long since an atomic plant was built in the US that cost estimates are preliminary to say the least.
FT 6th August 2007 more >>
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is seeking Iran’s help to build a nuclear reactor.
Mathaba 6th August 2007 more >>
China
China plans to start building a nuclear power plant in northeastern China’s Liaoning province soon, the official China News Service reported.
Interactive Investor 6th August 2007 more >>
