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Taiwan's Nuclear Plant No. 3 safety inspection schedule extended to 2029, nuclear restart progress faces uncertainty

The latest report from the Audit Department shows that the actual progress of Taiwan's nuclear restart may be lower than expected by the public. Although the Ministry of Economic Affairs has determined that Nuclear Plant No. 2 and Nuclear Plant No. 3 are feasible for restart, and Taipower's restart plan for Nuclear Plant No. 3 has been submitted to the Nuclear Safety Commission for review, a gap has emerged in the progress of the critical self-conducted safety inspections. Although the five self-conducted safety inspection contracts for Nuclear Plant No. 3 have been awarded, the contract performance period may be extended to July 2029, casting uncertainty over the original goal of completing document review by the end of 2028. Nuclear Plant No. 3 is currently regarded as the plant with the best chance of advancing toward restart, but its restart process still must clear multiple hurdles including safety review, aging assessment, aging management, and related document review...

2026-08-10

Land clearance obstacles hamper Vietnam's Ninh Thuan nuclear power project; Khanh Hoa province establishes task force to advance land handover

August 7, 2026, according to the Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam's Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant projects are entering an accelerated construction phase, but land clearance, compensation, and resident resettlement remain the main bottlenecks affecting progress. In accordance with the requirements of the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Khanh Hoa province is responsible for advancing Component Projects 1 and 2 supporting the two nuclear power projects, namely land acquisition and site clearance, and resettlement work. Although the provincial government has repeatedly set clear land handover targets and timelines, in actual implementation, especially at the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power project located in Phuoc Dinh Commune, numerous complex issues continue to arise in planning, compensation, land ownership verification, and on-site handover, causing progress to fall short of expectations. The prominent contradictions of the Ninh Thuan 1 project...

2026-08-09

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Raise Spent Fuel Pool Water Levels to Mitigate Power Outage Risks

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the operator of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has decided to raise the water levels in the spent fuel pools on site to enhance safety buffer capacity in the event of a prolonged loss of external power. The primary purpose of raising the water levels is to extend the time before water in the spent fuel pools begins to boil and evaporate under extreme conditions where external power to the plant is interrupted for an extended period, diesel reserves are depleted, and emergency diesel generators can no longer supply power to the cooling systems. Spent fuel pools are used to store used nuclear fuel underwater, typically for at least five years, allowing its radioactivity and residual heat to gradually decay, making continuous cooling a critical element of nuclear safety. All six units at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-08

Smolensk NPP Passes Special Safety Inspection by Rosenergoatom

A team of experts from Rosenergoatom has recently completed a special safety inspection at the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant. The inspection results will be used to further enhance safety management at the plant and at other NPPs operated by the company. The inspection was carried out by a commission comprising representatives from Rosenergoatom's headquarters and the Leningrad, Rostov, and Balakovo NPPs. Similar special inspections are conducted at Russian nuclear power plants on a regular basis, with methodologies referencing the relevant standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), to assess compliance of the plants with domestic and international safety requirements...

2026-08-06

Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology and Canada's Saskatchewan Province Strengthen Cooperation on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology

Vietnam and Canada's Saskatchewan Province are cooperating on the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Officials from both sides met in Hanoi on August 5, 2026, to discuss directions for cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, particularly in advanced nuclear technology. The Vietnamese side stated that as Vietnam's energy demand grows, ensuring a stable, green, and clean energy supply is of paramount importance, expressing strong interest in research on small modular reactors (SMRs) as well as CANDU reactor technology. During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation among regulatory agencies, legal departments, and research organizations in the nuclear technology field, covering legal framework development, technical standards, nuclear safety and safeguards assessment licensing, accident response, and...

2026-08-06

Krško Nuclear Power Plant to Reduce Power Output Due to Sava River Water Temperature Pressure

The Krško Nuclear Power Plant (Krško NPP) announced that, due to persistent abnormal hydrological and meteorological conditions in the Sava River, it will begin gradually reducing reactor power from the evening of August 6 to prevent river water temperatures from exceeding environmental standards. In the first phase, the unit's power output will be reduced to 80% of its maximum generating capacity. The plant stated that this power reduction is a planned, controlled, and temporary measure aimed at ensuring the Sava River water temperature remains within permissible limits. Relevant environmental standards stipulate that the daily average water temperature must not exceed 28 degrees Celsius, and the temperature increase of the river water caused by the plant's operation must not exceed 3 degrees Celsius. The management of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant also stated...

2026-08-06

Uranium "Breakthrough" in Poland's Świętokrzyskie Mountains Falls Short, Industria Announces Canadian Lab Results and Halts Exploration

Poland's uranium exploration has recently yielded results, with Świętokrzyska Grupa Przemysłowa Industria announcing the conclusion of uranium exploration near Kielce. Although reports two years ago suggested a breakthrough uranium discovery that could potentially bring Poland into the nuclear fuel supply sector, subsequent studies revealed that uranium concentrations in the area are extremely low, close to natural background levels and far below the threshold for economically viable extraction. Laboratory analysis results indicated that uranium and thorium concentrations in the ore are too low for commercial mining, leading the company to terminate further exploration. According to data from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the world's major...

2026-08-05

Croatia's Krško Nuclear Power Plant Only 3.4°C Away from Shutdown Threshold

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on August 4 dismissed concerns that the Slovenia-Croatia jointly owned Krško nuclear power plant might be forced to shut down due to excessively high Sava River water temperatures, stating that power supply is secure and the situation is under control. However, the plant is actually approaching environmental cooling limits, and due to abnormally high temperatures and declining Sava River water levels, the safety limits at the Krško nuclear power plant are nearing critical thresholds. According to environmental regulations, the daily average temperature of the river at the complete mixing point must not exceed 28 degrees Celsius, and the daily temperature increase must not exceed 3 degrees Celsius. As of August 4, the Sava River in the area was 24.6 degrees Celsius, with a daily increase of 2.6 degrees Celsius, leaving only 3.4°C before the 28°C red line and 0.4°C before the 3°C daily increase red line...

2026-08-05

Krško Nuclear Power Plant Operates at Full Capacity; Low Sava River Water Level May Affect Unit Output

Slovenia's Krško Nuclear Power Plant continues to operate at full capacity, but due to low water levels and elevated water temperatures in the nearby Sava River, a reduction in reactor power cannot be ruled out in the future. The plant stated that it is utilizing its cooling tower system and operating in compliance with environmental restrictions related to the Sava River. Due to insufficient recent precipitation, the Sava River's water level remains low, and river water temperatures are also staying in a higher range. Plant management also noted that increased cooling demands have already had a certain impact on the unit's power generation efficiency. Krško Nuclear Power Plant has notified relevant authorities in Slovenia and Croatia that if environmental restrictions are further tightened, it may be necessary to...

2026-08-05

Lifting Task of Large Storage Tanks in Cryogenic System Tank Area of HL-3 Upgrade Project Successfully Completed

On August 4, the lifting task of large storage tanks in the cryogenic system tank area of the HL-3 upgrade project, undertaken by the Southwestern Institute of Physics (SWIP), was successfully completed. After two days and one night of continuous efforts, a total of 14 large storage tanks were precisely positioned, including 6 medium-pressure high-purity helium storage tanks of 100 cubic meters each, 2 cryogenic liquid nitrogen storage tanks of 100 cubic meters each, and 6 auxiliary helium storage tanks, with a total lifting tonnage exceeding 200 tons. The achievement of this key milestone marks significant phased progress in the installation of cryogenic system equipment. Once the cryogenic system is completed, it will provide stable and reliable cooling capacity for the neutral beam injection system and the toroidal cryopumps of the HL-3 device, effectively enhancing the neutral beam injection efficiency and...

2026-08-05

Smolensk NPP Successfully Conducts Emergency Drill Multi-Agency Coordination Tests Response Capabilities

On August 3, the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant successfully conducted an accident response drill, with the participation of the Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Assistance Team (OPAS) of Rosenergoatom and emergency service departments. The drill brought together nuclear power plant staff, the crisis center team of Rosatom, local fire departments, medical institutions, and government representatives from the city of Smolensk and the Yelnya district. During the drill, all parties focused on practicing key tasks such as the alert and preparation of emergency response forces under non-routine conditions, organizing protective measures for personnel and local residents, and monitoring unit status and safety levels. The drill also included simulated fire...

2026-08-04

Nuclear Emergency Seminar Held in Angra dos Reis, Brazil to Strengthen Risk Prevention and Control

On August 1, 2026, the 5th Nuclear Emergency Seminar concluded successfully in Angra dos Reis. Organized by the Civil Defense Department of Rio de Janeiro State, the event brought together public institutions, professionals, and authoritative representatives to strengthen cooperation in nuclear emergency prevention, integration, and response. Participants focused on updating operational procedures, exchanging experiences, and developing strategies oriented toward protecting the public. The seminar placed special emphasis on crisis management procedures, inter-institutional communication, and the improvement of preventive measures, aiming to ensure rapid and effective responses in emergency situations. The event highlighted the importance of coordinated action among federal, state, and municipal governments, while also...

2026-08-02

NuAlaska Initiative Launched: Long-Life Nuclear Microreactors Target Remote Alaskan Regions

An initiative in Alaska called NuAlaska is working to bring long-life nuclear microreactors to remote areas. This collaboration, co-launched by NuCube Energy Inc. and the Alaska Fund, aims to develop, finance, own, and operate advanced nuclear energy projects in Alaska. The plan combines NuCube's NuSun-1 micro-modular reactor technology with the Alaska Fund's mission to support projects that meet Alaska's unique energy and infrastructure needs. The initiative targets remote communities, mines, military installations, and other isolated locations where harsh weather, long transportation routes, and reliance on imported diesel fuel...

2026-07-31

Progress in Russia's Khilonduevskoye Uranium Deposit Development: 3 Kilometers of Mine Workings Completed Ahead of Schedule

The mining division of Russia's Rosatom recently announced that underground mining crews completed three kilometers of mine workings ahead of schedule during the development of the Khilonduevskoye deposit. This milestone, originally planned for completion on August 10, was achieved by a team of workers from the Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union (PIMCU), which is part of Rosatom Nedra. According to PIMCU, this mine connection will significantly optimize the ventilation system at the fourth level of the Khilonduevskoye deposit and improve the efficiency of rock block loading, laying the foundation for subsequent development work. The company's CEO, Ivan Kiselev, stated that this connection is of critical importance to the company, as it not only links two sections of the mine but also fundamentally transforms the logistics and safety of fourth-level operations.

2026-07-31

Lufeng Nuclear Power Unit 5 PMC Installation Task Successfully Completed

On July 6, 2026, with the successful installation, handover, and commissioning of the PMC02 and PMC03 systems for Lufeng Nuclear Power Unit 5, the PMC system installation work for the unit was successfully completed, marking the full achievement of the core tasks of the 5PMC Installation Joint Party Member Task Force. The smooth realization of this key milestone fully demonstrated the robust capability of the integrated engineering and production joint team in collaborative construction, driving a phased breakthrough in the construction of Unit 5. This laid a solid foundation for subsequent on-site inspections for the nuclear material license and the smooth receipt of new fuel. Collaborative Breakthrough to Ensure Milestones As the core specialized key equipment for receiving, storing, and transferring nuclear fuel in a nuclear power plant, the PMC system is a critical carrier ensuring the stable operation of the fuel handling system and an indispensable prerequisite for on-site nuclear material license inspections. Its installation quality and construction schedule directly impact the overall construction pace of the unit and the broader fuel loading and commissioning timeline. During this PMC installation phase, the on-site construction conditions were complex, and the pressure to overcome challenges was unprecedented. The team faced multiple difficulties, including intensive cross-disciplinary operations, intricate construction interfaces, severely limited workspace, and tight availability of lifting and scaffolding resources. Project progress faced significant resistance, coordination was highly challenging, and the task was extremely arduous. To fundamentally reverse the passive situation and ensure the achievement of construction goals, the Lufeng Nuclear Power Production Service Department, under the overall guidance of the company's Party Committee, took the initiative. It adopted a model where leaders personally oversaw the campaign and tackled problems directly on-site. By coordinating the construction efforts of the Safety Protection Department, Technical Department, Project Department, supervision units, and various participating construction entities, the PMC Installation Joint Party Member Task Force was formally established. The team consistently adhered to Party-building leadership in project breakthroughs, firmly upholding the value orientation of "Three Focuses." They solidified a normalized multi-party coordination mechanism involving daily meetings and on-the-spot problem-solving, effectively breaking down construction barriers and interface bottlenecks between the work teams of the two construction companies, CNNC Huaxing and China Nuclear Industry 23. By dynamically coordinating construction plans, on-site safety management, manpower organization, and resource allocation, they achieved on-site problem identification, assessment, and resolution. This efficiently resolved various issues such as cross-construction conflicts, material transport obstructions, and resource allocation tensions. Through meticulous coordination and integrated collaborative operations, they provided solid organizational support for achieving the construction goals. Innovation and Pragmatism to Set Benchmarks Throughout the entire campaign, all Party member core members took the lead, shouldered heavy responsibilities, targeted efforts precisely, and broke through difficulties, comprehensively solidifying on-site construction conditions. The team scientifically coordinated the erection, dismantling, and optimization of scaffolding in the fuel building, streamlined the construction logic for civil and installation cross-operations, and systematically completed the defect rectification and power-on work for the spent fuel crane, auxiliary crane, and 130t overhead crane, thoroughly clearing pre-installation obstacles for key equipment introduction. All personnel adhered to the principle of "taking one step forward, being proactive," ensuring that on-site conditions did not wait for procedures and that progress was not stalled by interfaces. They continuously optimized process connections and operational logic, focused on key areas in phases, assigned responsibilities by module, and dynamically optimized resource allocation. By balancing safety with progress and upholding both bottom lines and efficiency, they efficiently and successfully completed the introduction, positioning, and installation of key equipment for the PMC02 system. Concurrently, leveraging experience from previous multi-unit construction projects, the team boldly broke away from traditional fixed procedures and innovatively optimized the construction organization logic. They adopted an interleaved parallel construction approach, simultaneously carrying out multiple key specialized tasks for the first time within the group, including preliminary nuclear cleaning of the spent fuel pool hall, pressure testing of the spent fuel pool, pipe installation and flushing, and comprehensive foreign material search and removal from the fuel racks. Through innovation and pragmatic action, they created a benchmark case for efficient PMC system installation in Hualong One units. Successful Completion, Setting Off Again The successful completion of the PMC installation campaign for Unit 5 is a landmark achievement demonstrating the deep integration of Party-building and production at Lufeng Nuclear Power, efficient multi-disciplinary coordination, and the effective implementation of refined on-site management. It fully showcases the excellent spirit of the Party member team in daring to fight tough battles, being capable of winning them, charging forward, and sustaining continuous operations. The journey does not end; the campaign continues. Next, the PMC Installation Joint Party Member Task Force will persistently maintain its fighting posture, firmly anchor on the overall goal of unit fuel loading, steadily advance the commissioning and various functional tests of the PMC02 and PMC03 systems, and efficiently complete key tasks such as system commissioning and the interconnection of the four pools. They will strive to ensure the smooth passage of the on-site nuclear material license inspection, injecting strong momentum into the high-quality and safe commissioning and operation of the unit.

2026-07-31