Removal of Highly Radioactive Spent Fuel Begins at Unit 2 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) said on August 17 that it has begun removing spent fuel assemblies with high radiation levels from the spent fuel pool of Unit 2 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in northeastern Japan, the site of a severe nuclear accident. Last month, TEPCO removed 28 unused nuclear fuel assemblies from the Unit 2 spent fuel pool. Compared with spent fuel, these unused fuel assemblies pose relatively lower risks. The company plans to complete the removal of spent fuel from Unit 2 by the end of fiscal year 2028. To date, the Unit 2 spent fuel pool contains a total of 587 spent fuel assemblies, of which TEPCO has completed the removal of...

2026-08-18

Hyundai E&C Signs Framework Agreement with TerraPower for Natrium Nuclear Power Plant Project

Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced on the 18th that it has signed a framework agreement with U.S. nuclear energy company TerraPower for the execution of the Natrium next-generation nuclear power plant project. Under the agreement, Hyundai E&C has been granted priority status to serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) general contractor for up to eight additional Natrium nuclear units developed by TerraPower. The signing ceremony was attended by senior executives from both companies, including Hyundai E&C CEO Lee Han-woo and TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque. The two parties plan to expand cooperation in the nuclear energy sector and jointly explore new business opportunities...

2026-08-18

Multiple regions in Japan demand nuclear power operators strengthen safety management and information disclosure

On August 17, Keisuke Yokoo, the new chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), visited the Niigata Prefectural Government and met with Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi. Yokoo assumed his post in June, becoming the first chairman of TEPCO to come from a financial institution. The meeting is seen as an arrangement for the new TEPCO management, following its official launch, to communicate with local governments on nuclear safety and trust rebuilding. Yokoo stated that, as the party responsible for the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, TEPCO will always bear in mind that there is no end to safety and will continuously improve the safety level of its nuclear power plants. He also expressed his commitment to ensuring the safe operation of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. Hanazumi said at the meeting...

2026-08-18

Fire alarm triggered for fifth time at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in August; no fire confirmed on site

At 7:14 a.m. on August 18, a fire alarm was triggered on the first basement floor of the turbine building of Unit 5 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) stated that after fire department personnel arrived and conducted inspections, no fire was confirmed on site at 7:55 a.m. Readings from radiation monitoring stations around the plant showed no significant fluctuations. This was the fifth time a fire alarm had been triggered at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station since the beginning of August. Previously, related alarms had occurred on August 8 at the maintenance building for Units 5 and 6, on August 12 at the emergency diesel generator room for the high-pressure core spray system of Unit 6, on August 13 at the main administration building, and on August 15 at the southwest stairwell of the turbine building of Unit 5. After each of the above alarms was triggered, the fire department confirmed that no fire had occurred...

2026-08-18

Nuclear-powered icebreaker "Leningrad" completes installation of two RITM-200 reactors

United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) announced that Baltic Shipyard has completed the installation of two RITM-200 nuclear reactors on the Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker "Leningrad". The "Leningrad" is the sixth vessel in the Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker series. The vessel is being built by Baltic Shipyard under an order from Rosatom, and its keel-laying ceremony was held on January 26, 2024. Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreakers are primarily designed to ensure year-round navigation in the western Arctic waters of Russia. Equipped with nuclear propulsion systems, these vessels can perform icebreaking escort and fairway maintenance missions under complex ice conditions.

2026-08-18

22nd Round of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station ALPS Treated Water Discharge Completed

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) stated on August 17 that the 22nd round of ALPS treated water discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station had been completed by the afternoon of the same day (local time). This round of discharge began on July 30, with a total of 7,888 tonnes of ALPS treated water released. According to information released by TEPCO, the total amount of radioactive tritium contained in the water discharged in this round was approximately 1.3 trillion becquerels. This is the 4th round of ALPS treated water discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan's fiscal year 2026. Japan began discharging ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in August 2023. To date, 22 rounds of discharge have been carried out, with a cumulative discharge volume of approximately 173,000 tonnes...

2026-08-18

Icebreaker of Knowledge International Expedition Returned from North Pole

On August 13, the 7th international scientific and educational expedition of Rosatom, Icebreaker of Knowledge, returned to Murmansk. Over the course of ten days, 68 talented schoolchildren and college students from all federal districts of Russia and 22 countries around the world traveled aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy along the route Murmansk – North Pole – Franz Josef La...

2026-08-18

Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier USS John F. Kennedy Completes Acceptance Sea Trials

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced on August 15 that its subsidiary Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) has successfully completed acceptance sea trials for the second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). USS John F. Kennedy conducted further testing and evaluation of critical ship systems and components at sea before returning to Newport News Shipbuilding. Earlier this year, the carrier had completed builder's sea trials. Derek Murphy, NNS vice president in charge of the new carrier construction program, stated that the carrier...

2026-08-17

India Unveils Nuclear Energy Self-Reliance Roadmap, Targeting 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047

India's Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, recently stated in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that India is accelerating the development of its domestic nuclear energy ecosystem, with key focus areas including advanced reactor technologies, small modular reactors, domestic manufacturing capabilities, private sector participation, and the long-term development and utilization of thorium resources. Singh stated that India's long-term nuclear energy strategy remains based on its three-stage nuclear power program, aiming to gradually utilize the country's relatively abundant thorium resources while ensuring long-term energy security. India proposed a Nuclear Energy Mission in its 2025-2026 federal budget, planning to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047...

2026-08-17

India Releases Detailed Project Report for 300 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor

The release of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for India's 300 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-300) marks a new milestone in India's indigenous small modular reactor program. The report was released on August 14, 2026, and was jointly prepared by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The project falls under the indigenous Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program advanced by India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), positioned as a complement to India's existing large-scale nuclear power construction projects and offering captive nuclear power solutions. According to the released information, the BSMR-300 is designed as a fully indigenously developed Generation III+ pressurized water reactor with an installed capacity of 300 MWe. The project continues...

2026-08-17

First Concrete Pour Initiated for ECCS Sump of Units 1 & 2 at Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant, India

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) announced on August 14 that the first concrete pour was initiated on the same day for the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) sump of Nuclear Building-01 (NB-01) of Units 1 & 2 at the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) — the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a phased milestone in the project's construction. Units 1 & 2 of the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant are located in Gorakhpur Village, Fatehabad District, Haryana State, India, with two 700 MWe units planned, totaling 1,400 MWe in installed capacity. The pouring operation was carried out after addressing geotechnical and foundation-related challenges, pile foundation qualification, and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

2026-08-17

Russia to Develop General Safety Rules for Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion Facilities

The Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia (Rostekhnadzor) has completed the development of the draft federal norms and rules in the field of atomic energy use, "General Provisions for Ensuring the Safety of Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion Facilities," and has been soliciting comments and suggestions on the results of the draft review since August 17, 2026, with a feedback deadline of September 17, 2026. According to the draft, the document applies to controlled thermonuclear fusion facilities equipped with thermonuclear reactors or thermonuclear devices. The scope of application includes thermonuclear devices with a neutron production intensity exceeding 10²⁰ neutrons per second, or, in pulsed operation with a single pulse of less than 1 second, exceeding 10²⁰ neutrons per pulse, as well as...

2026-08-17

U.S. Fusion Company Discloses Texatron Platform Progress and Capital Markets Plans

American Fusion disclosed to shareholders on August 14 the latest developments in the global fusion energy industry, data center electricity demand in Texas, and the company's capital markets arrangements. The company stated that its Texatron fusion engine under development remains in the testing and engineering validation phase, and whether it can be used for commercial power supply in the future depends on multiple conditions, including test plans, regulatory approvals, financing, scaled production, and commercialization progress. American Fusion stated that its long-term goal is to develop the Texatron platform into a scalable distributed power source and explore supplying electricity to data centers, hospitals, defense facilities, industrial facilities, and other customers through a power-as-a-service model.

2026-08-17

Vietnam Electricity Advances Preparatory Work for Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is advancing preparatory work for the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project, focusing on supporting measures in legal framework, financial arrangements, project management, human resource development, and public communication. The project is regarded as Vietnam's first nuclear power plant project and holds significant importance for ensuring energy security, promoting energy structure transition, and reducing carbon emissions. During the 7th National Nuclear Regulatory Conference, EVN Deputy General Director Nguyen Thai Anh stated that the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project must meet the highest technical, engineering, and safety requirements currently applicable in Vietnam. In the preparatory phase, EVN is focusing on addressing three categories of challenges while simultaneously advancing five groups of solutions to ensure the project proceeds in accordance with...

2026-08-17

Adani Group in Talks with Odisha on Nuclear Power Projects, Plans Two 3,000 MW Clean Energy Facilities

India's Adani Group is accelerating its industrial footprint in Odisha, with nuclear power, clean energy, mining, aluminum, and port infrastructure emerging as key priorities in recent discussions. Senior executives of the group recently held talks with Odisha government officials to discuss advancing a range of energy and industrial projects in the state, including two proposed 3,000 MW power generation facilities and an integrated coal gasification and coal-to-chemicals project with an investment of approximately INR 800 billion. Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd...

2026-08-17

India Releases Draft Rules Accompanying SHANTI Act, Requiring Nuclear Power Operators to Provide Nuclear Damage Insurance or Financial Guarantees

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) of India recently released the draft SHANTI Rules 2026 and the draft SHANTI Regulations 2026 for public consultation. The two documents set out provisions on nuclear project licensing, safety authorization, and nuclear damage liability, aiming to provide an institutional framework for India's expansion of nuclear power capacity and the introduction of more market players into nuclear energy development. Under the drafts, operators of nuclear power plants or reactors must purchase insurance, provide financial guarantees, or adopt both approaches for nuclear damage. Such financial security must remain in effect until all spent fuel has been removed from the corresponding storage pools. The drafts also propose the establishment of a nuclear liability fund, with funding sources linked to the civil liability limits borne by operators...

2026-08-17

Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Addresses Challenges of Low Danube River Water Levels

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy stated on August 16 that the Kozloduy NPP is currently operating as planned. In response to the persistently rare low water levels in the Danube River, the plant has further studied and implemented preventive arrangements based on existing technical and organizational measures to ensure stable unit operation under complex hydrological conditions. The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy stated that the Kozloduy NPP has established a dedicated working group to evaluate various options for ensuring the plant's normal operation, with a focus on facilities related to the riverbank pumping station. The working group is continuously optimizing the riverbank pumps, reactor unit cooling systems, spent fuel storage facilities, and the overall water...

2026-08-17

Machine learning framework predicts micro-displacements of DIII-D fusion device coils

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) and collaborating teams have developed a machine learning framework that can predict subtle changes in critical fusion device hardware before the next experiment begins. The method targets the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, and the findings have been published in the journal Machine Learning with Applications. Interior of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility tokamak. (Image courtesy of General Atomics) DIII-D is a tokam...

2026-08-17

Installation of the fifth tier of the inner containment shell begins at Unit 1 of Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant

The Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) recently announced that installation of the fifth tier of the inner containment shell in the reactor building of Unit 1 at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant has commenced. This marks a significant milestone in the civil construction and installation work for the unit. The inner containment shell is a cylindrical structure designed to house the nuclear reactor and related primary circuit equipment of the nuclear power plant. The fifth tier being installed consists of 12 components, all prefabricated on-site at the El Dabaa plant. Each component is 7.5 meters high and weighs approximately 40 to 45 tons, depending on its structural configuration. As planned, the installation of the fifth tier is expected to be completed within two weeks. Subsequently, the remaining tiers will continue to be assembled to form the complete annular inner containment structure. A heavy-duty crane with a lifting capacity of 2,200 tons will be used for the lifting operations at the construction site...

2026-08-17

St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 Manually Shut Down After Three Control Rods Dropped into the Core

According to an event notification submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Unit 1 of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, located on Hutchinson Island, Florida, USA, experienced a manual reactor shutdown at 9:47 a.m. Eastern Time on August 13, 2026. At the time of the event, the unit was in Mode 1 and operating at 100% power. The shutdown was caused by three control rods dropping into the reactor core. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission classified the event as a non-emergency. The licensee stated that the shutdown was completed in accordance with procedures, all systems responded normally after the shutdown, and operators subsequently stabilized the unit in Mode 3, i.e., hot standby condition. Decay heat was removed by diverting steam to the main condenser via turbine bypass valves and the main feedwater system...

2026-08-17

4.4-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Fukuoka Area; Kyushu Electric Says No Abnormalities at Genkai and Sendai Nuclear Plants

At around 6:37 a.m. on August 17, an earthquake struck the Fukuoka area of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, with a maximum seismic intensity of 4, a focal depth of approximately 10 kilometers, and a magnitude of 4.4. Kyushu Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) subsequently announced that the operational status of its Genkai and Sendai nuclear power plants was unaffected, with no abnormalities detected in the relevant units. According to Kyushu Electric Power, Unit 4 of the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture continued normal operation, while Unit 3 was undergoing periodic inspection; Units 1 and 2 of the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima Prefecture continued normal operation. The company stated that no impact on power supply had been confirmed. During the earthquake, Itoshima City in Fukuoka Prefecture...

2026-08-17