Iran
Four Iranians comment on a US intelligence report which concluded that Tehran halted its nuclear weapons programme in 2003.
BBC 5th Dec 2007 more >>
President George W. Bush was told in August that Iran may have suspended its nuclear weapons programme, the White House said on Wednesday, a day after Bush said he was not given a full report on the issue.
Reuters 6th Dec 2007 more >>
A single report has evidently changed the atmospherics in which the debate has for long been conducted, even if its key conclusion over Iran is hardly accepted by all interested parties (not least Israel). But when the dust settles, how much will have changed? Will the world know any more about Iran’s “real” nuclear plans or intentions than before? To answer these questions, it is helpful to review the recent history of this contentious international issue, and in particular the attempts of leading interlocutors – the European Union as well as the IAEA and the United States – to deal with Iran.
Open Democracy 5th Dec 2007 more >>
Feed-in tariffs
There is a bitter dispute at the heart of UK energy policy development, in which support for new nuclear build, gas and carbon capture is pitted against support for renewables (in which a feed-in law should have a rightful place). The lobbying battle has been led by the conventional energy industry giants and the nuclear industry. These companies have successfully nobbled both BERR (the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) and the Treasury.
Guardian 4th Dec 2007 more >>
A Tory government would spend up to £300m on a “green energy revolution” by encouraging householders, small businesses, schools and hospitals to create their own electricity from renewable sources. The Tory leader, David Cameron, will announce today that his party would scrap grants for people who install wind turbines, solar panels or combined heat and power generators. Instead, it would guarantee prices for electricity created by householders through a system in “feed-in tariffs”.
Independent 6th Dec 2007 more >>
Times 6th Dec 2007 more >>
Public Opinion
U.K. public support for nuclear power has fallen in the past year, the U.K.’s Nuclear Industry Association said Wednesday. The NIA, citing a survey carried out by Ipsos MORI, said about 65% of the U.K. public said nuclear power “should form part of a balanced energy mix”. This compares with 72% of the people polled in a similar survey carried out in November last year.
Nasdaq 5th Dec 2007 more >>
World Nuclear News 5th Dec 2007 more >>
Companies
EDF and Enel have signed a co-operation agreement giving Enel access to a new-generation European pressurized water reactor nuclear plant that is being built in Flamanville, France by EDF. Enel will take part with a stake of 12.5% in the construction and operation of the Flamanville nuclear plant, which is expected to start operations in 2012 with a capacity of 1,600MW. The deal will also give Enel the option to take part with an identical 12.5% stake in the subsequent five European pressurized water reactor (EPR) projects planned in France.
Energy Business Review 5th Dec 2007 more >>
EDF has announced that it has started the construction of the future European pressurized water reactor nuclear power station at Flamanville in Normandy, France, on schedule.
Energy Business Review 5th Dec 2007 more >>
Enel SpA CEO Fulvio Conti said his group is ready to build nuclear generators in Italy if a political decision in favour of nuclear power generation is made.
Interactive Investor 5th Dec 2007 more >>
Torness
British Energy, the problem-hit utility, has lost the use of one of its nuclear reactors at Torness in the run-up to Christmas after a weekend hydrogen leak. The Herald understands that the reactor at the East Lothian plant is likely to be out of use for between one and three weeks after being shut down on Saturday afternoon.
Herald 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Energy
Nuclear power represents 3.5 per cent of the energy used in the UK, the comparable figure for electricity is 18.5 per cent.
Times 4th Dec 2007 more >>
Trident
A report commissioned by CND and Unison says Barrow should give up on Trident and focos on green energy equipment instead.
North West Evening Mail 3rd Dec 2007 more >>
Climate
BP is planing a return to the booming but environmentally controversial Canadian tar sands business with the creation of two joint ventures with Husky Energy worth an estimated $10 billion (£4.9 billion).
Times 6th Dec 2007 more >>
