The out-going UK head of energy group EDF still expects the group’s planned Sizewell C power station to be generating electricity by 2031 – despite continuing controversy over the price of nuclear power. His comments, described as “thoughts, hopes and expectations”, are largely in line with current predictions. EDF has set no firm timeline for the construction of Sizewell C but there has been talk of improvements to the A12 being completed in time for a 10-year construction phase to begin in 2021. However, in comments quoted in The Times, Mr de Rivaz acknowledges that EDF will have to agree a significantly cheaper “strike price” in respect of the energy produced by Sizewell C compared with the deal already secured for Hinkley Point C. He also said that he “strongly hopes” that a new nuclear plant at Bradwell in Essex, which forms part of a funding deal between EDF and the China General Nuclear Power Group, will be generating electricity by 2033.

Ipswich Star 30th Oct 2017 read more »

There a risk we won’t get new nuclear hooked up to the grid in time to back up renewable energy like wind power. There’s an aim to generate 16GWe of new nuclear power by 2030. But experts doubt that’s a realistic prospect, with Hinkley Point C years late, and questions over whether investors will risk capital on proposed plants in Cumbria and North Wales. And as plans for the future of nuclear power evolve, the legacy of the past also needs to be dealt with. The government’s served notice on a £6billion contract to make safe a dozen of the UK’s first nuclear sites, dating back to the 1950s. It was the most valuable piece of work ever put out to tender by the government. But the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority gave the job to the wrong consortium. The high court ordered a payout to the rightful winners of £97.3 million in damages. The National Audit Office says the total cost to the taxpayer is upwards of £122 million. The government also has to find someone else to clean up the old Magnox power stations and nuclear research sites. The current contractor, Cavendish Fluor Partnership and the NDA agree the job is far bigger than was made clear, and CFP will down tools nine years early. File on 4 looks at the delays and spiralling costs in decommissioning old power station sites. So just how well is our nuclear industry being managed?

BBC File on Four 31st Oct 2017 read more »

The UN Environmental Program (UNEP) has rejected the World Nuclear Association’s (WNA) offer to provide financial support to the 8th Annual Sustainable Innovation Forum (SIF). Described by its chairman as the “largest business-focused side event during the annual Conference Of Parties” the event is scheduled to take place alongside COP23 in Bonn, Germany. Originally accepted as a gold sponsor and ready to pay the £40,000 ($68,338) fee, WNA was recently notified that its sponsorship had been rescinded upon intervention by the UN Environment Program (UNEP).

Forbes 30th Oct 2017 read more »

The rate of construction of new nuclear power plants will need to be accelerated if the world is to meet its future energy needs while meeting climate change goals, Yukiya Amano, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said today. Amano was speaking at the opening of the fourth International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century, being held in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.

World Nuclear News 30th Oct 2017 read more »