In Brief

Saudi Arabia is likely to build a variety of NPPs to meet its rapidly growing power demand, said Dr. Waleed Abdulfaraj, Vice-President of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE). KACARE is responsible for implementing the kingdom’s nuclear programme. The kingdom expects the first NPP to be built by 2022.

Riyadh plans to build up to 17 GWe of nuclear power capacity by 2030, in one of the world’s biggest nuclear power programmes. The Saudi nuclear new build is considered large enough to allow several reactor suppliers to participate in multi-billion dollar contracts to build NPPs in the desert kingdom during the next two decades.

The Saudis plan to involve more than one NPP design to reap the benefits of diversifying acquired technologies in terms of job creation, value chain localisation, and knowledge transfer, Abulfaraj said. The potential participants in Saudi nuclear power programme are those countries that Saudi Arabia has already signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with, and include France, Korea, China, and Argentina,

KACARE is considering only Generation III and III+ advanced reactors, which have standardised and licensed designs. Generation III NPP vendors include Japan’s Mitsubishi, France’s Areva, Toshiba-owned Westinghouse, GE-Hitachi, Russia’s Rosatom, and Korea’s Kepco.  Generation III NPPs have streamlined licensing, cut construction times, have added safety features, and have an operating life of around 60 years.

In Brief

EnBW Kernkraft (EnKK) has formally sought permission from the state of Baden-Wurttemberg to decommission and demolish two nuclear power reactors that were ordered to close down by German government in 2011 following the Fukushima nuclear accident. EnKK had previously said it was willing to undertake direct decommissioning work at the closed units, rather than following the more usual practice of delaying the work to allow radioactive decay to take place, which makes the overall task easier and cheaper. The company also said in 2012 that it already had set aside sufficient funds to execute the work.

Neckarwestheim Unit 1 and Philippsburg Unit 1 were among the eight oldest German reactors forced to shut down days after Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP disaster in March 2011. EnKK has now filed applications for the permanent decommissioning of both units and for initial demolition permits with the state ministry for the environment, energy and climate change.

The German government headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to abruptly close the country’s oldest nuclear plants following the Fukushima meltdowns, with a total nuclear phase-out by 2022 and a policy of replacing nuclear power with renewables and some additional fossil-fuel capacity.

In Brief

Iran has installed a hundred IR-2m advanced centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear facility, which could significantly boost its uranium enrichment capability, said UN nuclear monitor International atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 22 May. The total number of IR-2m units installed in the plant now is around 700, thereby raising Western concerns that Iran is fast nearing the nuclear weapon threshold.

However, according to the report, the Natanz enrichment plant is producing 5% low enriched uranium (LEU), which is far below the 95% level needed for weapons-grade highly-enriched uranium (HEU). The report also said Tehran has accumulated 182 kg 20% enriched uranium stockpile, but was still short of 240-250 kg mark needed for a nuclear bomb.

Iran’s 20% enriched uranium programme is at the core of its nuclear dispute with the world powers, which fear this HEU stockpile can easily be enriched to weapons-grade material for bomb making. Iran has refused to halt its enrichment programme, calling it as its fundamental right.

The West accuses Iran of developing a nuclear weapon under the guise of a civilian nuclear programme, and imposed a series of sanctions aimed at crippling Iran’s economy. But Tehran continues to insist that the nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only.

In Brief

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) participated at the Fujairah Career Fair 14-16 May to hunt for the UAE’s best nuclear talent, who will be the Energy Pioneers of tomorrow. It offered a range of exclusive scholarships and career opportunities to attract the brightest among the attendees at the three-day exhibition.

ENEC launched its 2013 Energy Pioneers campaign last month to attract and train the most talented science students and experienced professionals to lead the UAE’s emerging nuclear energy sector. It has on offer 90 scholarships for UAE nationals who are keen to become part of peaceful nuclear energy programme and power the growth of the nation.

The company has embarked on a nationwide outreach programme, which started at the Emirates Skills National Competition last month and has included a tour of universities, schools and careers fairs right across the UAE. It aims at developing the next generation of nuclear energy leaders and one of its most important priorities is finding the very brightest minds, said Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC.

Through this programme, ENEC plans to build a national skill base of more than 2000 employees by 2020, to drive the UAE’s nuclear energy industry, with a target of 60% of localisation. More than 250 Emiratis are already enrolled in the scholarships programme.

Monju FBR

In Brief

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) president Atsuyuki Suzuki resigned on 16 May after the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), the country’s atomic regulator, blocked the restart of the Monju prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) due to inspection lapses. The 280 MWe FBR has been offline since August 2010.

In November 2012, it was revealed that JAEA had failed to conduct regular inspections on almost 25% of 39,000 pieces of equipment at Monju, some of which included safety-critical equipment. In January, the NRA ordered the JAEA to revise its maintenance rules and inspection procedures.

On 15 May, the NRA told JAEA that it would not be allowed to proceed with the preparations for the restart of the Monju FBR until it could confirm compliance to its instructions. However, despite warnings, the NRA has found that the JAEA has failed to strengthen inspection plans. The regulator has given JAEA until 23 May to present evidence that refutes it findings.

Monju initially began operating in August 1995, but was shut down after four months due to a serious incident. The plant was allowed to restart in May 2010 after a thorough review by the JAEA of the design as well as safety procedures at the plant. The reactor was shut down once again in August 2010 after another accident.

The prototype FBR is key to the Japanese nuclear power programme. The reactor uses plutonium fuel instead of conventional uranium and is configured to produce fissile matter that can be reused as fuel in NPPs. Japan currently imports all of its uranium nuclear fuel from abroad.

Wylfa NPP, Proposed Site for Horizon Project

In Brief

On 16 May, Horizon Nuclear Power (HNP) said it had signed the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract with its reactor technology supplier and main contractor Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Ltd for the construction of  the UK’s planned Wylfa NPP in north Wales. The multi-million dollar contract, stretching over several years, paves the way for HNP to submit initial proposals for a new NPP at Wylfa.

Horizon, acquired by Hitachi of Japan in November 2012, plans to build between four and six Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWRs) in the UK at its sites at Wylfa, on the island of Anglesey, and at Oldbury in Gloucestershire. The units are to be the first commercial Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) to ever be built in the UK.

The contract will cover site development work, allow the companies to assess the best construction timetable for Wylfa, and support the supply chain development strategy. Once it launches its public consultation programme in 2014, Horizon will also make the project design and site layout available for public comment.

The company is planning on a timeframe requiring the site works to begin in 2015, leading to the start of major onsite work in 2018, and the first nuclear construction around 2019. The generic design assessment (GDA) of Hitachi-GE’s ABWR was officially begun by the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) last month.

In Brief

Over 30,000  Taiwanese protesters marched through the capital Taipei on 19 May urging the government to halt construction of a nearly completed NPP, citing the Japanese March 2011 Fukushima crisis triggered by an earthquake and tsunami.

The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, which organised the event, urged the government to immediately halt the construction of the fourth NPP, saying that, since surveys show 70% of Taiwanese people to be against the plant, there is no need for a referendum. In February, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said that the government may support holding a referendum on the plant’s future amid growing public concern.

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is frequently hit by earthquakes. In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude quake killed around 2,400 people – the worst natural disaster in the island’s recent history. Taiwan currently has three old NPPs, supplying about 20% of the country’s electricity.

The disputed plant, in the coastal Kungliao district near Taipei, is about 90% completed and due to come online in 2015, according to its operator Taiwan Power Company (Taipower). Construction began in 1999, but the plant has been the subject of intense political interference.

Browns Ferry NPP

In Brief

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspectors are currently conducting an intensive inspection of the Browns Ferry NPP in Athens to ensure that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has made the required improvements in management, safety culture, accountability, maintenance, and equipment reliability, following the NRC’s 2010 finding of a major safety violation at the plant.

The inspection is the last major step in the bolstered inspection programme at Browns Ferry after the discovery in the fall of 2010 that a water intake valve had not been working for approximately 18 months. The valve was part of a system critical to Browns Ferry’s safety plans in the event of a fire at the plant.

The inspection plan includes checking TVA records and interviewing plant employees and managers about safety and other issues lasting over two weeks. At the end of next week, the NRC team will meet with the TVA for a debriefing and then return to Atlanta to summarise the report which is anticipated to be complete by June.

Tihange NPP, Belgium

In Brief

Belgium’s nuclear safety regulator Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) has given approval for GDF Suez to restart Doel 3 and Tihange 2 reactor units, closed last year over safety concerns, it said in a report on17 May. The agency said that all of the safety concerns had been resolved satisfactorily.

Belgium shut down the 1000 MWe Doel 3 reactor in August last year after indications of cracks were discovered on the core tank during ultrasound checks. A month later, it found similar defects on the 1000 MWe Tihange 2 reactor after it tested the tank during a routine outage.

It will take two to three weeks to restart the reactors, a spokeswoman for GDF Suez’s Belgian division Electrabel said following the decision. The closure of the reactors has deprived Belgium of about a third of its nuclear power-generation capacity.

Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station (Photo: Richard Baker)

In Brief

The UK government has insisted it is still optimistic about plans to build a series of NPPs despite expectations that EDF would delay its decision on participating in a new reactor construction at Hinkley Point until September and concerns about China’s waning interest in investing in the project.

The UK’s new nuclear build plan is likely to be implemented by NNB GenCo (EDF), NuGen and Horizon Nuclear Power, said the energy minister, Michael Fallon, in response to a select committee report. Fallon was confident that it will be possible to attract investments, notwithstanding the government’s policy on providing no public subsidies for new nuclear builds.

Currently, negotiations are continuing over a “strike price,” or guaranteed minimum price for electricity generated by EDF at its two new reactors to be built at Hinkley Point C. EDF, which is 80% owned by the French state, wants a 40-year guarantee, and said it remained optimistic that it could finalise a deal with ministers soon.

EDF has been struggling with its mounting internal debts, and delays at its EPR project in France. The group initiated talks with the Chinese as an investment partner and earlier this month signed a formal cooperation deal with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Company. But it has become unlikely that the Chinese will participate, realising they do not have sufficient knowhow to get the approval of the UK regulators, and do not want to act just as a passive investor.

 In Brief

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the nation’s nuclear watchdog, plans to issue new rules on transporting radioactive material to bring US procedures in line with international standards.

The changes to the NRC rules would make them compliant with the revised regulations from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2009, as well as regulations from the Department of Transportation brought in in 2011.

The new rules would allow some changes in the quality assurance programmes and their duration without the NRC’s prior approval. At present, any change to an NRC-approved quality assurance programme must be cleared again by the agency. These amendments will make the agency’s oversight more efficient and allow its focus to remain on reducing the risk of transportation incidents.

In its proposal, the NRC has stated that periodically revising its standards in compliance with other regulations helps the agency to remove inconsistencies that could impede international commerce. The changes also reflect knowledge gained in scientific and technical advances and accumulated experience.

In Brief

Tanaka, NRA Chairman

Japan’s atomic regulator, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has ordered a halt to plans to restart Monju Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, a trouble-prone next-generation experimental reactor, because of safety violations. The plant is located in the city of Tsuruga in western Japan.

In Depth

Vogtle NPP in the US

In Brief

A federal appeals court refused to revoke the license and reactor-design certification granted by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to Southern Company to build two nuclear reactors in Georgia, saying that the commission thoroughly analysed the environmental consequences of severe accidents for Vogtle.

In Depth

In Brief

Marvin Fertel

In his keynote address to the 550 industry leaders participating in the Nuclear Energy Assembly organised by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), CEO Marvin Fertel hailed nuclear power as a job creator having a bright future, and that it has a key place in the US’s national economy and energy security.

Referring to the completion of 40% work on basemats at the new reactors under construction in Georgia and South Carolina, Fertel called these the largest construction projects in their states that are creating direct employment for nearly 4,000 workers.

According to analysis by Westinghouse and the Shaw Group, Georgia and South Carolina nuclear projects will support about 35,000 US jobs. The two new NPP projects also are creating ancillary jobs across the US industry in component manufacturing, modular construction and other services.

The global nuclear technology market opens major opportunities for US vendors and suppliers. The Commerce Department estimates the nuclear energy market over the next decade may be worth as much as US$740 billion. If US suppliers are able to capture even 25% of this market, it would create up to 185,000 high-paying American jobs.

In Brief

Shenzhen-based China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group (CGNPC) has changed its name to China General Nuclear Power Group to meet the group’s strategic objective to expand outside of Guangdong and China in order to build a world-class clean energy group, said a company official. The group eventually plans to develop some 90GWe nuclear capacity by 2020.

The change of name is in line with the future growth strategy of the group, to promote the coordinated development of nuclear power, uranium resources and non-nuclear clean energy, added the official. The group, which has gross assets worth US$40.3 billion and 20 companies, is led by China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Company.

CGNPC’s CGNPC was established in 1994 and is 45% owned by the provincial government, 45% by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and 10% by China Power Investment Corporation (CPI). It is under the control of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

Currently, CGNPC operates seven nuclear power reactors, with a combined capacity of 7.2 GWe, representing near to 53% of China’s total nuclear generation. In addition, it is constructing 15 new reactors, with a combined capacity of 17.8 GWe, eight of which are in Guangdong province.

Westinghouse AP1000 Reactor

In Brief

Toshiba-owned Westinghouse Electric Company and China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) have formed a JV to develop the global supply chain for the American nuclear supplier’s 1000 MWe AP1000 Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) design.

The JV will initially help Chinese manufacturing industry in setting up facilities producing equipment and components that meet international quality and safety standards for AP1000 NPPs being built in China. Subsequently, it aims to help qualified Chinese suppliers export their products abroad, as well as assist global suppliers in importing their parts to China.

The JV – called SNPTC-WEC Nuclear Power Technical Services (Beijing) Company Ltd – was inaugurated recently in Beijing. In addition to officials from Westinghouse and SNPTC, it was attended by representatives from Chinese suppliers including Harbin Electric Group, Dongfang Electric Group and Shanghai Electric Group. The JV will help SNPTC-WEC to provide new opportunities for business both within and without China to a broader range of customers.

Westinghouse and SNPTC are working on the construction of four AP1000 reactors in China – two each at Haiyang and Sanmen, that are due to start up in 2014-2015. The AP1000 reactors are the mainstay of China’s nuclear power programme. Technology transfer to SNPTC forms part of the agreement.

In Brief

Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, has sought help from Electricite de France SA (EDF) to build Turkey’s first NPP as the Russian nuclear power company seeks partners for its new nuclear projects abroad.

Rosatom is ready for a strategic partnership with any major energy company with a view to reduce its stake in the planned Akkuyu NPP in Turkey and a Baltic plant in Russia to as much as 51% from the present 100% now, a spokesman for the Moscow-based company, said on 6 May.

Turkey is currently facing a huge current-account deficit, the third-largest in the world last year. The country needs nuclear power generation urgently to help its economy. Turkey awarded a US$20 billion contract to Russia’s Rosatom and AtomStroyExport in 2010 for its first NPP.

The planned NPP, in the town of Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast, will have four VVER-1200 Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs) having a total capacity of 4800 MWe. Rosatom is ready to cooperate with all suppliers of equipment and services, including France’s Areva, on a tender basis.

In Brief

On 8 May, Areva Resources Canada responded to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) in support of  the Kiggavik Project’s draft environmental impact assessment (EIA). The Kiggavik Project is a proposed uranium mining and milling operation that would be located about 80 km west of Baker Lake, Nunavut.

Areva was responding to some 400 technical comments from various organisations who represent the next step in the environmental review of the Kiggavik Project. The topical group, responsible for examining the response, will inform Areva about the approach towards completing the Kiggavik Project’s final EIA.

The process will help Areva use the input as it completes the Kiggavik Project’s EIA. The constructive feedback and consultation from Nunavummiut, regulators, governments, organisations, and others will help Areva to develop a sustainable, well-run project with minimal impact on the environment, said Barry McCallum, Manager of Nunavut Affairs at Areva.

Areva has been active in Canada for nearly 50 years and during that time has gained experience in the development and operation of successful mining operations. The Kiggavik Project would require 400-600 employees during operation and up to 750 people during construction.

Nuclear Fuel Assemblies

In Brief

Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), the sole manufacturer of atomic fuel for Indian NPPs, has firmed up plans to establish two major fuel fabrication facilities to meet the expected increase in nuclear power generation.

A 500 tonne-per-year fabrication facility has been set up at Kota in Rajasthan, with an investment of US$250 million. This will include 65 tonne-per-year Zircalloy plant. The second facility – with a 1,250 tonne-per-year capacity – is likely to be built in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, or Madhya Pradesh. The process of site selection has begun. This plant will also have a Zircalloy production facility.

NFC needs to boost its production capacity to meet the growing fuel demand for the expanding NPP fleet of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), the nation’s nuclear power operator. The NPCIL plans to add at least ten 700 MWe and Presssurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in the coming decade.

NFC currently meets the fuel requirements of 20 nuclear reactors operated by the NPCIL, which have an installed capacity of 4,780 MWe. Of those, 18 are PHWRs and two are Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs). By 2020, a total of 2,000 tonnes of fuel will be required by various reactors.

Internals of a VVER

In Brief

Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, has decided to offer a special package deal to build and operate NPPs abroad as part of its business strategy to win contracts in developing countries, a company official said on 13 May.

The offer – based on the “Build, Own, Operate (BOO)” concept – includes financial assistance to countries seeking to build nuclear plants. Under the BOO model, Rosatom will build and own the NPP and operate it for 60 years. Rosatom will also be responsible to supply nuclear fuel to the plants.

Rosatom has built NPPs abroad in the past, but has not been involved in their operation, which was always handed over to domestic utilities. The new VVER reactor proposed to be built in Turkey by Rosatom will be the first plant based on the BOO model. The NPP is slated to become commercial in 2019.

Russia has signed contracts or is currently constructing 19 NPPs in overseas markets. Due to the huge upfront costs involved in building NPPs, Russia decided on this model for selling reactors to developing countries that do not yet have a developed nuclear industry and trained manpower.

In Brief

Turkey wants to develop an indigenous nuclear industry over the next decade as it seeks to cut reliance on costly imported oil and gas, according to a report by Reuters. Europe’s rapidly expanding economy faces a galloping power shortfall in its growing energy demand.

Last week, Ankara  awarded a US$22 billion contract to a Japanese-French consortium to build its second NPP, with a power generation capacity of 4400 MWe, at Sinop on the Black Sea coast. Turkey had previously awarded another contract to the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom to build the nation’s first NPP at Akkuyu.

The Turkish government said it will now focus on developing local talent and engineering skills before embarking on the construction of its third planned NPP, which will be built with 80-85% local efforts, but will have foreign collaboration. Turkey is working to train a new generation of nuclear engineers to support its nuclear programme.

Ankara is following the UAE model for the development of its nuclear industry. Abu Dhabi engaged the South Korean nuclear company to finance, build, operate, and maintain their first US$20 billion NPP as they seek to develop indigenous expertise.

Steam generator

In Brief

Steam generators have been installed at nuclear power reactors under construction in Ningde and Fangjiashan on 3 May and 7 May respectively. Ningde NPP in Fujian province will have four CPR-1000 Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs), while the Fangjiashan plant, in Zhejiang province, will house two CPR-1000 units.

The first unit, at Fujian, entered commercial operation last month, while Unit 3 is preparing to start at the end of this year with the installation of its steam generators. By 2015, all four reactors should be in operation at Ningde. Two more advanced ACPR-1000 units may be built at the site.

Fangjiashan NPP, which is located close to the Qinshan Phase I and Phase II NPPs, is currently slated to have two CPR-1000 units. These are expected to start operation in December this year and October next year. The CPR-1000 is an indigenously developed PWR with a power output of 1000 MWe.

China currently has 13 operational NPPs with some 28 new nuclear power reactors under construction. National plans envisage China generating 58 GWe from nuclear power by 2020 and. By 2030, China will exceed the US in nuclear power capacity, with 200 GWe capacity.

In Brief

Argentinean Nuclear technology firm Invap signed a US$12 million contract in Rio de Janeiro on 6 May with Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), to construct two research reactors (RRs), one each in Brazil and Argentina.

The RRs are based on the Opal – Open Pool Australian Light Water Reactor (LWR) – design, which Invap supplied to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Ansto). The reactors have been designated the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactors (RMB) and the RA-10 in Argentina.

The reactors will be used for the production of medical radioisotopes, as well as irradiation tests of advanced nuclear fuel and materials, and neutron beam research. Together, the two new reactors will have the capacity to meet some 40% of global radioisotope demand. Argentina currently provides 5% share of world radioisotope production.

The RR project is part of the growing bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy between Argentina and Brazil. In February 2008, Argentina and Brazil signed a declaration to jointly develop NPPs and uranium enrichment as well as nuclear naval ships. Both countries currently have two NPPs each in operation.

In Brief

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced on 8 May that the digital instrumentation and control (I&C) system for NPPs in China, developed jointly by Mitsubishi Electric and China Techenergy Corporation (CTEC) have begun commercial operations.

The digital I&C system is installed in the first unit of the Fujian Ningde NPP, constructed by China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Company (CGNPC), and is the first of 14 units to be supplied by Mitsubishi Electric and CTEC as part of a July 2007 order. The delivery marks a successful fructification of the first commercial collaboration between China and Japan in the nuclear power sector.

In all, Mitsubishi Electric and its consortium partner CTEC have received orders to supply I&C system for 14 of the 16 CPR1000 NPPs in China. These include six systems in Liaoning and Fujian Provinces, four systems for plants in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces, two systems for plants in Guangxi Province, and an order for two systems for plants in Guangdong Province.

Nuclear power capacity in China is expected to increase from 13 GWe at present to 58 GWe by 2020, and then 200 GWe by 2030. More than 60 new NPPs are planned to be operating by 2050. CGNPC owns seven of China’s 16 operating NPPs and 15 of 29 additional plants under construction. The company plans to build 10 more units within the next five years.