Areva
Anne Lauvergeon, who as head of Areva represented the international face of French nuclear expertise for a decade, has accused the companys government shareholder of inconsistency and a lack of strategic vision after she was replaced late last month as chief executive. In a forthright interview in Le Monde newspaper, the woman known as Atomic Anne fired off a series of criticisms against the state and her rival, Henri Proglio, the head of state-controlled utility EDF who two years ago called for the break-up of her company. Ms Lauvergeon said her management of the state-owned group had been destabilised by the governments changing strategy since 2003, when President Nicolas Sarkozy attempted to force a merger of Areva with then troubled turbine- maker Alstom.
FT 8th July 2011 more >>
Japan
Japans nuclear restart is in doubt after local leaders reacted angrily to a government plan to stress test the countrys reactors, saying it undercut official assurances that surviving atomic plants were safe.
FT 8th July 2011 more >>
Electricity Market Reform
Letter various people including John Sauven: The government is undertaking the biggest shake-up of the British electricity market since privatisation in 1990 and is due to publish its white paper on energy market reform next week. However, one of the best opportunities to manage rising consumer energy bills could be lost if the government fails to implement reforms aimed at demand-side management, such as demand response and energy efficiency. Increasing fossil fuel costs and a growing need for new investment in low carbon power are leading to increasing electricity prices. But the impact on consumers energy bills can be managed provided the government ensures energy efficiency and demand response measures are at the heart of energy market reform. This should include a commitment that long-term contracts and tariffs are offered for electricity demand reduction and not just for electricity supply. If the government wants to protect consumers while moving towards a low carbon power system, it must ensure a fair and equivalent treatment for the demand side of the market.
FT 8th July 2011 more >>
Dounreay
Radioactive material could be moved from Dounreay in Caithness to Sellafield in Cumbria by rail at a cost of 30m, according to a new report. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) said there was a “clear and compelling” case to deal with the breeder material at Sellafield. Dounreay is being demolished at a cost of 2.6bn. Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) said the first of 44 tonnes of fuel could be moved in early 2012. In the report, the NDA said managing the material at Sellafield, rather than dealing with it at Dounreay, was its preferred option. The authority has estimated the cost of preparing it for transportation by rail at 30m. It would cost about a further 30m to mix the breeder with a fuel at Sellafield. Dounreay does not have the means of reprocessing the breeder material and the process of immobilising and disposing of it in Caithness would c ost about 65m, the NDA has reported.
BBC 9th July 2011 more >>
