Nuclear future mapped out for Murmansk

Northwestern Russia is set for a boost in nuclear investment after an agreement between Rosatom and the government of Murmansk region. The deal should facilitate a new nuclear power plant, used nuclear fuel processing and storage facilities and submarine dismantling.

Czech support for nuclear energy expansion

A letter in support of the further development of nuclear energy in the European Union (EU) has been signed by all 24 Czech Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and published in the Czech press

Lithuania's LEO roars ahead

The Lithuanian Electricity Organization (LEO LT), a holding company set up to invest in Lithuania's next nuclear power plant and international energy infrastructure, has formally begun operations. 

Nuclear future worth $17 billion a year to Australia

Australia's minister for resources and energy, Martin Ferguson, has launched a major new economic analysis of the potential for Australian uranium supply to meet world needs to 2030. Carbon prices to fight climate change would boost the Australian economy via uranium exports.

Six utilities back Westinghouse design in UK

Six major European utilities are providing resources and sharing the costs of taking the AP1000 reactor design through the UK Generic Design Assessment process, Westinghouse has announced.

WINS for security cooperation

Support is gathering for a new organisation aiming to improve security at nuclear facilities using some of the same methods already proven to have improved nuclear operations. The World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) is to be an independent not-for-profit...

Volgodonsk nuclear stafff win bronze in combat tournament

At the all-Russia hand-to-hand combat tournament a team from the Volgodonsk nuclear power plant got the third place, behind winners from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Russia's main nuclear corporation said nuclear plants are "specific facilities requiring enhanced...

US, Chinese AP1000 contracts

In China plans for two new nuclear reactors based on Westinghouse designs are now underway. Site preparation is already underway, formal construction will start next year, with completion expected around 2013. At the same time there is evidence of growing confidence that new...

Nuclear Process Heat

Nuclear energy is an excellent source of process heat for various industrial applications including desalination, synthetic and unconventional oil production, and in the future: hydrogen production. 

INSIGHT BRIEFING: New import rules for Russian uranium

America will import Russian commercial uranium products from 2011 under new legislation. The new rules will ultimately see an end to measures meant to stop Russia dumping cheap uranium on US markets.

Areva's order book reaches record level in 2007

France's Areva group reported that at the end of 2007, it had orders worth some €39.834 billion ($58.9 billion), up 55% from the level of orders at the end of 2006. For 2007, the Areva group reported total sales revenue of €11.923 billion ($17.7 billion), an increase of...

"Pac-Man" molecule munches uranium

Researchers have designed a molecule that can "eat" and then "trick" uranium into behaving like a lighter molecule. The molecule, which is a "Pac-Man lookalike" could open the door for future developments in nuclear waste management or novel uses of...

Monju to return in 2008 with new plutonium core

Japan's Monju fast breeder reactor should return to service this year, with fresh plutonium fuel replacing its initial core load. The core of Monju, showing inner core (pink) and blanket (green) ...

Nuclear is a "technological megafix"

Using nuclear power to avert global warming would be a "technological megafix," said Sir Jonathon Porrit,