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Then and now
13 December, 2016
The IAEA’s latest report on research reactors is focused on the TRIGA type, reviewing their past and future. Patrick Reynolds delves into the report and shares his thoughts.

Russia – a few world firsts
17 November, 2016
In late September the International Atomic Energy Agency held its 60th General Conference in Vienna. Judith Perera attended the event, grabbing time with energy leaders from Russia. She tells NEI of her time out there and the latest on Russian developments.

A long and winding road?
17 November, 2016
Following the recent decision by the UK government to approve Hinkley Point C Rumyana Vakarelska lifts the lid on the challenges the project still faces.

Polishing the future
30 October, 2016
Political will and a clear financing structure for the Polish nuclear programme will be needed if the 6000MW of new nuclear capacity, planned for the country, is not to be delayed beyond 2030, the new date when the first of the new reactors are expected to become operational. Rumyana Vakarelska explains.

Bulgaria agrees state funds for Belene compensation
04 October, 2016
The Bulgarian parliament on 28 September passed a bill authorising the government to release funding to Bulgaria’s National Electric Company (NEK) to cover the €620m ($695m) compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene NPP project, a statement on Bulgaria’s energy ministry website said. The project was cancelled in 2012 after the reactors for the two unit NPP had already been manufactured (one fully completed and one 90% completed). In June the Geneva-based International Court of Arbitration (ICA) awarded the compensation to Russia.

Belarus returns RPV to Russia from unit 1 of the Belarus NPP
04 October, 2016
Belarus is returning to Russia the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) dropped during installation work in August at unit 1 of the Belarus NPP, Mikhail Filimonov, Director General of the State Enterprise Belarus NPP Company (BNPPC), told reporters on the sidelines of the 60th session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. The head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko, told journalists in Vienna on 28 September that Russia's readiness to replace the RPV reflects the fact this is a public acceptance matter rather than a technological concern. "We are sympathetic to the position of our Belarusian colleagues," he said, noting that the public in Belarus have a "more sceptical attitude" towards nuclear energy because of the Chernobyl accident in Ukraine in 1986.

From the last come a first
14 September, 2016
When the Wylfa 1 reactor was shutdown for the last time on the afternoon of 30th December 2015, it brought an end to the 49-year history of the UK’s Magnox stations. But a nuclear first was achieved that day as well, because the reactor had almost used up all of the fuel available, as NEI reports.

Hungary stands behind Paks NPP project
24 June, 2016
The price of the planned Paks II nuclear project in Hungary is “clear” and will be €10bn ($11bn), 80% of which will be provided by Russia while 20% will be publicly financed, Andras Klein, Hungary’s ambassador to Bulgaria, told a conference organised by the Bulgarian Atomic Forum. Klein said Hungary will be required to repay the Russian loan between 2026 and 2046 at an interest rate of 3.95-4.95%. The two planned VVER 1200 reactors at Paks II will be fully owned and operated by Hungary, Klein said.

Areva to spin off fuel business
22 June, 2016
France’s Areva is to spin off its nuclear-fuel operations this year, as New Co, to shield them from the financial difficulties facing the company’s reactor business and to attract investors as Areva prepares to raise €5bn ($5.6bn) by selling shares. The company said New Co would be created as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Areva SA during the second half of this year, combining the Areva Mines, Areva NC, Areva Projects and Areva Business Support companies and their respective subsidiaries. Part of Areva SA's debt would also be transferred to New Co. Meanwhile, Areva TA, Areva Renewable Energies and Areva NP will remain as subsidiaries of Areva SA "until the date of their sale". Areva will also sell nuclear measurement and instrumentation specialist Canberra.

Rosatom signs wide-ranging deals at ATOMEXPO
07 June, 2016
Sergey Kiriyenko, director general of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, told journalists at the International Forum ATOMEXPO 2016 in Moscow on 31 May that the 10-year portfolio of Rosatom’s orders for construction of NPPs will increase in 2016. “At the end of 2015, the order portfolio was $110bn. The 2016 we plan to finish at $136bn,” he said, adding that 34 Russian design NPP units were now under construction in different regions of the world. He added that the cumulative portfolio of orders, including construction of NPPs, fuel supplies, uranium products delivery, services etc., exceeded $300bn.

Russian reactions
22 May, 2016
Fast reactor designs have changed over the decades. To a degree Russia, or the former USSR, led the way in their development. NEI looks at the role Russia has played and considers where fast reactor development is today, and will be tomorrow.

Political power play
22 May, 2016
In the wake of growing tensions between Russia and the West over perceived Russian aggression in Ukraine, sanctions were imposed on Russia. They have been in place for more than two years but, as Judith Perera reports, their impact on the Russian nuclear industry has been limited.

From taboo to necessity
10 May, 2016
The disposal of radioactive waste has long been an issue for the industry. With concerns over environmental issues ever-present and growing fears of security it has even hit the mainstream news in recent months. As Charles McCombie and Neil Chapman of Arius Association and Ewoud Verhoef of COVRA discuss a multinational approach is not only a reasonable aim but is looking more likely than ever before.

Chernobyl draws international attention on 30th anniversary
26 April, 2016
The 30th anniversary of the 26 April 1986 Chernobyl accident has focused international attention on continuing remediation of the affected areas. The European Commission (EC) pledged to the Nuclear Safety Account (NSA) fund the largest part of some €45m ($51m) expected from the G7 and the EC in addition to existing support. The NSA, managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, was set up in 1993 to finance nuclear safety projects in Central and Eastern Europe and receives contributions from 29 countries and the EC.

Iran enters the global market for nuclear materials
26 April, 2016
The US is buying 32t of Iranian heavy water to help Iran meet the terms of last July’s landmark nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. The agreement was signed on 22 April in Vienna between Iran and officials from the six countries that negotiated the nuclear deal - E3/EU+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the USA plus the European Union). It calls for the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Isotope Program to purchase the heavy water from a subsidiary of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) for about $8.6m, officials said. They said the heavy water will be stored at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee and then resold on the commercial market for research purposes.

Iran to co-operate with Europe on nuclear
19 April, 2016
Iranian officials and a visiting European Union (EU) delegation headed by European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini on 16 April signed various memoranda of understanding for cooperation on research. Iran's participation in the EU Horizon 2020 framework programme was also discussed, Iranian media reported. The European commission, and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) issued a joint statement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy which would include establishment of a regular high-level dialogue meeting once a year (the Framework for Partnership on Nuclear Energy) to review topics of common interest in the nuclear field.

IAEA reviews decommissioning of Lithuania’s Ignalina NPP
12 April, 2016
At the invitation of the government of Lithuania, an expert mission led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reviewed project risks and uncertainties related to the decommissioning of the two RBMK-1500 light water cooled graphite moderated reactors at Ignalina NPP (INPP). Decommissioning of the two units, which were shut down in 2004 and 2009, is due to be completed in 2038. The European Commission is providing substantial funding for the project.

Hinkley decision expected this year
25 February, 2016
Electricite de France (EDF) CEO Jean-Bernard Levy expects the company to take a final investment decision on the Hinkley Point C nuclear project in the UK this year, Reuters reported. “We are working with our Chinese partners to complete the discussion that we are having and announce a final investment decision very soon,” Mr Levy was quoted as telling a Brussels conference on energy yesterday. Asked whether “very soon” meant this year, Mr Levy said “if in my thinking very soon did not mean this year, I would be disingenuous”. EDF is planning to build two Areva 1,600MWe EPR units at Hinkley Point.