New nukes
Low carbon nuclear for the UK – big business remains sceptical.
Climate Change Corporation 1st August 2007 more >>
Comment by Keith Barnham: The most significant feature of the newer wind turbine and PV systems is that they come in small units and can be installed very quickly. Not only do these micro-generation technologies have much shorter lead-in times than the 10-year wait for nuclear stations (or the 20-35 years for Al-Khalili’s technology to transmute nuclear waste), but installations can grow exponentially, as happens for consumer electrical products. The most optimistic assumption for new nuclear build is a linear rise of one new reactor a year, starting in 10 years’ time. Rather than developing transmutation or fast-breeder schemes which may not work, and which involve the transportation of large amounts of plutonium, the highest priority of the nuclear industry should be to solve the long-term waste storage problem. The urgency of finding a solution was re-emphasised by the recent revelation that the failed London tube bombers had the plans of the Sizewell B nuclear station.
Guardian 1st August 2007 more >>
China
American nuclear technology specialist Westinghouse has received a welcome boost after contracts were approved which will enable the Pennsylvania-based firm to build nuclear reactors in China from 2009. The $9bn landmark deal, keenly awaited after months of negotiation between Washington and Beijing, comes at a time when nuclear energy is under intense scrutiny following leaks at a plant in Japan after an earthquake. And it happened in a week when US legislators came under pressure to block Westinghouse owner Toshiba’s plan to sell a 10 per cent stake in the firm to the Kazakh government.
Observer 29th July 2007 more >>
The process equipment business of US-based infrastructure solutions company SPX has received a contract from Westinghouse Electric to design and engineer valves for new nuclear power plants in China. SPX also received an agreement from China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation to provide training and technical expertise for these plants.
Energy Business Review 31st July 2007 more >>
Libya
LIBYA has adopted a United Nations nuclear terrorism convention obliging governments to hunt down and punish those who unlawfully possess atomic devices.
Scotsman 1st August 2007 more >>
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Tuesday that a French proposal to build a nuclear reactor in Libya, which has drawn official protests from Germany, was still only at the planning stage.
Middle East Online 31st July 2007 more >>
Proliferation
On the 50th anniversary of the IAEA the Pope has pleaded for disarmament, but supported the peaceful use of nuclear power.
World Nuclear News 31st July 2007 more >>
Japan
Reuters has a new video on the impact of the earthquake on Japan’s largest nuclear station.
Greenpeace website 31st July 2007 more >>
Wylfa
The second reactor at Britain’s Wylfa nuclear power station was shut down on Monday for repair work expected to take a week to 10 days, a spokesman for operator Magnox North said on Tuesday. The shutdown means both reactors at the power station in Wales are now closed.
Reuters 31st July 2007 more >>
North Korea
UN nuclear experts are praising the co-operation they have been receiving from North Korea in monitoring the shutdown of the country’s main nuclear reactor.
Belfast Telegraph 31st July 2007 more >>
EDF
Jürgen Thumann, chairman of the German BDI industry federation, said “We cannot on the one hand call for the liberalisation and deregulation of European energy markets while on the other hand granting France an exemption,” Mr Thumann said, alluding to EDF, France’s state-owned electricity utility, which enjoys a monopoly at home but has been acquisitive abroad. German officials this week called France’s offer, on Monday, to provide up to three nuclear reactors to Libya “immoral”.
FT 1st Aug 2007 more >>
Japan
Tokyo Electric Power yesterday slashed its annual profit forecast because of the closure of its nuclear plant in Niigata – the world’s largest – following last month’s earthquake.
FT 1st Aug 2007 more >>
Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the earthquake-hit Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, said yesterday it would double its oil purchases to fuel spare power plants andcompensate for the loss of nuclear electricity.
FT 1st Aug 2007 more >>
Iran
John Bolton says: If Mr Bush decides that the only way to stop Iran is to use military force, where will Mr Brown come down? Supporting the US or allowing Iran to goose-step towards nuclear weapons?
FT 1st Aug 2007 more >>