Regular Newsletter readers should already have noticed changes to the look of this edition, one being the inclusion of the WNN - World Nuclear News logo on the front page.
Apart from the fact that the Australian Uranium Association (AUA) now incorporates the Uranium Information Centre functions, the reason behind this rebranding is that internationally the World Nuclear Association (WNA) and the World Nuclear University (WNU) have pooled resources to support a new news service. This builds on existing information gathering and library capabilities, and draws on both international organisations' expertise and network of contacts to produce nuclear news on a daily basis. Where appropriate, WNN draws on other news providers, with acknowledgment.
This news can then be understood in the light of the material in 108 AUA briefing papers and several mines papers which are constantly updated (last year 80 of the briefing papers were updated, with 183 updates published overall - several were updated eight times during the year).
A new focusThe focus of the World Nuclear News initiative is the website: www.world-nuclear-news.org which contains all of its reporting. The website is free for all to access and will remain so. We suggest that you bookmark it.
Each day, supported and advised by the international staff of WNA and WNU, experienced nuclear journalists assess the events of the last 24 hours and write-up the most important stories. These are posted to the website immediately while summaries of those stories comprise the content of WNN Daily, an e-mail alert to new website content with links to the full stories online.A second email notification is the WNN Weekly, which contains summaries of all the week's stories, sorted by category, and links to the full articles online. WNN Weekly replaces WNA News Briefing.
Thirdly, there is the AUA Weekly Digest (which internationally is WNN Overview). As before, this puts nuclear-related items into perspective for those outside the industry, as a one-pager on only the most significant news.
The Newsletter continues in the form you see it here, with both WNN and AUA branding. Some Newsletter readers will already be receiving WNN emails. Any that wish to sign up for the free daily or weekly service can do so at the WNN website.
Comprehensive coverageThe WNN mission is to address three audiences: those working in the nuclear industry who need to be kept up to date on their business; the general public that is interested in energy policy, climate change and how the challenges are being met; and also journalists, researchers, students, nuclear communicators and decision-makers who want access to credible details.
In order to meet the demands of these groups, WNN's writers and editors intend to present every story, no matter how specialised, in a way that is comprehensible to the lay person. As well as valuable background information and accurate facts and figures, each story includes links to relevant authoritative sources like the International Atomic Energy Agency, the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency, or AUA's own briefing papers.
The philosophy of thorough reporting is epitomised in WNN's Insight Briefings. When there is an important nuclear story which will garner wide interest, WNN writers will put together a full account complete with details of the context and significance of each aspect of it. Examples of this type of story would be the US-India nuclear cooperation deal, the ongoing tension over Iran's uranium enrichment programme or the Forsmark power supply event. Interested readers can sign up to receive notifications of Insight Briefings on the WNN website too.
Furthermore, when the various 'anomalies', 'events' and 'incidents' occur from time to time at nuclear plants worldwide, these will be reported in technical detail in a special section of the WNN web site. Headed by a nuclear physics professional, Nuclear Event Reports (NER) is a comprehensive database of safety- and regulatory-significant events worldwide, including events outside the nuclear power industry, making them readily understandable and comparable for everyone. The NER will explain the safety philosophies behind the design of nuclear power plants, give advice on how to interpret event reports and explain accepted standards, particularly the International Nuclear Event Scale.
Another innovative feature of Nuclear Event Reports is its Network of Independent Experts - a list of academic and professional nuclear experts who have volunteered to be available for comment should a significant event occur in their country or area of speciality. At present this totals 22 experts in 19 countries and the number will grow.
A service for the worldA guiding principle behind both WNN's main reporting and NER is that having more information accessible is good for everybody - the nuclear industry and the general public. In this spirit, WNN editors with the support of AUA have made the decision to employ a relaxed copyright policy, as with the hundred plus briefing papers on the UIC/AUA web site. Any outlet may reproduce WNN's output verbatim in company newsletters, email circulars, magazine articles, even full newspaper features, preferably with acknowledgment. In this way, WNA and WNU, with AUA, hope WNN will give the mainstream press and generalist journalists a better chance of being confident that they have their facts right on nuclear stories and will help put them into perspective.
Sometimes non-specialist reporters in the mainstream press make minor mistakes in reporting nuclear developments. In some situations that is simply an annoyance for the company or operation involved or for the reader confronted by accounts of "megawatts per year", etc. In other situations it could seriously mislead the public over their safety. By making its content freely accessible, easy to find on internet searches and free to reproduce, WNN intends to help the media achieve clarity and reliability in nuclear matters.
Moves to open nuclear trade with India
The US Congress has passed legislation enabling trade with India of nuclear fuel and technology, after reconciling earlier House and Senate versions of it. The final wording is under consideration by India's parliament, which will need to put most of the country's nuclear power reactors under international safeguards. A safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency must now be negotiated, and agreement of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group will be required before a bilateral trade agreement in line with the new Act can be sent to Congress. The ultimate objective is to put India on the same footing as China in respect to responsibilities and trade opportunities.
Nucleonics Week 14/12/06, NuclearFuel 18/12/06.
US steps out with global nuclear program
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a new strategic plan for Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) initiatives, including preparation of an environmental impact statement. It will assess three facilities: a fuel recycling centre including reprocessing and fuel fabrication plants, an "advanced recycling reactor" - a fast reactor which will burn the actinide-based fuel and transmute transuranic elements, and an advanced fuel cycle research facility. DOE envisages the first two being industry-led initiatives. Thirteen sites are under consideration for one or more of these facilities.
The international component of GNEP means that the first two facilities need to be operating by about 2020 so that fuel services can commence as an inducement for other countries not to build enrichment and reprocessing plants. There is a mid 2008 target for proceeding with these. GNEP involves fresh fuel supply and used fuel take-back by the USA, as well as by Japan and Russia. The plan also involves developing and deploying advanced proliferation-resistant reactors appropriate for the power grids of developing countries, together with enhanced safeguards.
The USA and Japan have agreed to develop over three months a nuclear energy cooperation plan centered on GNEP and the construction of new nuclear power plants. Japan also intends to participate in DOE's FutureGen clean coal project.
Nucleonics Week 11/1/07, NuclearFuel 15/1/07, GNEP strategic plan.
Further nuclear plant licence renewal and sales
The operating licence for the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, USA, has been renewed for an additional 20 years by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). It is now licensed to operate until 2031 and is the 48th US reactor to be granted a life extension. The 798 MWe pressurised water reactor is operated by Nuclear Management Co on behalf of Consumers Energy, which recently agreed to sell the plant to Entergy Corp for $242 million plus $138 million for fuel and other assets.
FPL Energy has agreed to buy the Point Beach nuclear power plant (1012 MWe net) for $998 million, its third such purchase. The actual plant accounts for $783 million - $773 per kilowatt. The two units were commissioned in 1970 and 1973 and last year had their licences extended to 2030 and 2033. Power uprates are planned. FPL will assume responsibility for decommissioning and at least $360 million in trust funds will transfer to FPL for this. All power will be sold back to the vendor, Wisconsin's We Energies.
Duke Energy Carolinas and North Carolina Electric Membership Corp. have agreed to buy 19% of the 1205 MWe Catawba-1 nuclear plant for $200 million - $874/kW, taking their ownership of the plant to 38% and 62% respectively.
Nucleonics Week 21/12/06, Platts 27/12/06, NRC 17/1/07.
Progress Energy selects greenfield site
Progress Energy is to buy 1200 ha of undeveloped land in Levy County, Florida to build one or two new reactors, either Unistar's US EPR, General Electric's ABWR or Westinghouse's AP1000 as already selected for construction in North Carolina. The first unit would be expected to cost US$ 2.5-3.5 billion - the second somewhat less - following a licence application in 2008. The coastal site is near the company's Crystal River plant and is the first US greenfield site to be considered in the push to build new reactors.
Progress Energy 12/12/06, Nucleonics Week 14/12/06.
American focus on energy security and efficiency
President Bush has called for a marked reduction in US oil usage through greater efficiency and for energy supply diversity through technology, including renewables and "clean, safe nuclear power" for electricity.
At the same time the Canadian Natural Resources Minister speaking on the country's recent energy policy said that more nuclear power will be necessary to enable any serious inroads to be made on greenhouse gas emissions, since it is clean, reliable and affordable.
Americanpresidency.org 23/1/07, National Post 24/1/07.
New Baltic states plant, Poland offers to share
The Baltic states - Latvia, Estonia & Lithuania - have decided to proceed jointly with building a new nuclear plant at the Ignalina site in Lithuania, replacing the remaining Soviet-era plant there. Following an earlier invitation from Lithuania, the Polish state grid company PSE offered to take a 25% share of it and signing of an agreement was expected in January.
This would bring forward Poland's nuclear energy plans and provide valuable experience as well as electricity. A feasibility study, undertaken on behalf of the three Baltic states, showed that a new plant costing EUR 2.5 to 4.0 billion would be economically attractive and could be on line in 2015. Meanwhile, an EUR 304 million high-voltage "energy bridge" to improve transmission capacity between Lithuania and Poland is to be built by 2011, partially financed by the EU.
The Polish government had been considering options for introducing nuclear power between 2020 and 2030 or possibly earlier. A recent feasibility study suggested that 11.5 GWe of nuclear capacity would be optimum for Poland but possibly unaffordable in that time frame, so 4.5 GWe by 2030 is now targeted.
Nucleonics Week 7 & 14 & 21/12/06, Platts 11/12/06.
EU energy policy draft slashes carbon, affirms nuclear
The European Commission has called for the EU to take "global leadership in catalysing a new industrial revolution" based on clean, low-emission energy. It has published a proposed Strategic Energy Review for the March 2007 European Council. This proposes a unilateral cut of 20% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, relative to 1990 levels. The current commitment is 8% reduction. The EU Emission Trading Scheme is seen as a key mechanism which needs to be strengthened and extended in scope and time.
While much of the EC rhetoric is about renewables, despite the EU being way short of its targets there, it notes that nuclear power already contributes significantly to EU energy security and CO2 emission reductions while being the least cost no-carbon option. In the 27 EU states, nuclear provides one third of the electricity from 152 reactors (2006) in 15 of them. Nuclear power is "the largest source of CO2-free energy in Europe" and is a vital part of the EC carbon reduction scenario. But the EC says member states need to decide whether or not to build more, though it warns that any reduction in nuclear capacity would compromise emission cuts and energy security and will also raise electricity prices. The EC sees carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a vital technology and wants to phase out all fossil fuel plants without it by 2050. However, there are not yet any commercial plants using CCS operating.
Foratom welcomed EC's recognition of "the key contribution that nuclear energy makes to the achievement of the EU's security of supply, climate change and competitiveness goals" while highlighting nuclear power's role "as an unavoidable component of the EU's present and future energy mix."
EC 10/1/07, Foratom 10/1/07, Nucleonics Week 11/1/07, EU Energy policy draft
German dispute as energy crunch approaches
Fuelling the dispute within Germany's grand coalition government, a report by Deutsche Bank warns that Germany will miss its carbon dioxide emission targets by a wide margin, face higher electricity prices, suffer more blackouts and dramatically increase its dependence on gas imports from Russia as a result of its nuclear phase-out policy, if it is followed through. Unless adjustments are made to the shutdown timetable which was passed into law, four large reactors (which started up 1975-77) totaling almost 4 GWe will be shut down by the end of 2009. The Economy Minister and utility owners have called for urgent review of the policy. The Bank estimates that 42 GWe of new generating capacity will need to be constructed by 2022 if shutdowns proceed. Meanwhile Germany spends some EUR 2.5 billion per year subsidising its coal mines to produce 55% of its electricity (cf nuclear 31% with no subsidy).
AFP 10/1/07, FT 22/1/07, The Times in Australian 25/1/07, Foratom web site.
French reactor ordered
Electricité de France has ordered the main nuclear part of the 1650 MWe Flamanville EPR reactor from Areva. The turbine section was ordered last year from Alstom. This means that 85% of the plant's projected EUR 3.3 billion cost is locked in. First concrete is expected to be poured at the end of the year and start-up is due in 2012 after a 54-month construction period.
Nucleonics Week 25/1/07.
Dutch reactor uprated
Following a mid 2006 extension of its operating life to 2033, the Borssele nuclear plant in Netherlands completed an EUR 43 million turbine replacement in December and has been uprated 7.3% from 452 to 485 MWe.
EPZ 24/1/07, 3/2/05.
Russia restructures nuclear industry
Russia is creating a single vertically-integrated state holding company for Russia's nuclear power sector, separate from the military complex. The corporation - possibly to be called Atomprom - would include uranium production, engineering, design, reactor construction, power generation and research institutes in its several branches, but not used fuel reprocessing or disposal facilities for the time being. The next step will be for nuclear fuel producer TVEL to become an Atomprom subsidiary before further firms such as enrichment entities, notably Tenex, join the holding company.
Exclusive state ownership of nuclear materials has been seen as a barrier to competitiveness and other Russian corporate entities will now be allowed to hold civil-grade nuclear materials, under state control. More broadly, the variety of joint stock companies and governmental entities will be replaced. The State Duma (lower house) voted to 372 to 43 on the second reading and 351 to 57 on the third reading to approve the law, which includes safety improvement measures and rules for nonproliferation compliance.
Novosti 6/12/06 & 19/1/07, Reuters 18/1/07, Nucleonics Week 25/1/07.
UK closes four old reactors
The UK's four oldest reactors, Sizewell A 1&2 and Dungeness A 1&2 were closed down on 31 December after 40-41 years operation, removing 870 MWe net from the grid. They bring the total of retired UK Magnox reactors to 22. The next units to close will be Oldbury 1&2 at the end of 2008. All these are first-generation Magnox units operated by BNFL's British Nuclear Group under contract to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Bulgaria closes two reactors prematurely
In line with its commitment in joining the EU, Bulgaria has closed its Soviet-era Kozloduy units 3 & 4, each 440 MWe. This is despite major upgrading of these two units through to 2002, including replacement of control systems. In 2003, after a two-week scrutiny by 18 international inspectors, the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) reported that the units met all necessary international standards for safe operation. This confirmed an earlier IAEA report. They would have reached their 30-year mark in 2008 and 2010 and were reported to be producing electricity at EUR 2 cents/kWh. Removing this 816 MWe (net) will curtail the country's electricity exports - 7.8 billion kWh per year. Kozloduy 5 & 6 are more modern 1000 MWe Russian plants. (Kozloduy units 1 & 2 were shut down at the end of 2002.)
Following the closure of Kozloduy units 3 & 4 on 31 December, the government is seeking higher compensation from the European Commission. The EC had promised EUR 550 million to cover the premature shutdown of units 1 & 2 in 2002 and units 3 & 4 recently. The government now says that if agreement cannot be reached on restarting units 3 & 4 to address electricity shortages in the Balkan region, a sum of EUR 1 billion would be reasonable to compensate for the lost electricity exports.
AFP 21/12/06 & 5/1/07, Nucleonics Week 21/12/06.
Slovakia closes reactor prematurely
As earlier agreed as a condition of joining the EU, Slovakia shut down one unit of its Bohunice V1 nuclear power plant at the end of December. It was an older Soviet era VVER-440 type. Closure of the 28 year old unit eliminated 408 MWe net, supplying about 9% of Slovakia's electricity. The twin second unit of the V1 plant is to be closed at the end of 2008. Both units have had major upgrades and international expert reviews have confirmed their safety. The Prime Minister said that he respected the decision to shut down the plant, but considered it as "energy treason" by the previous government, with Slovakia now becoming an electricity importer.
AFP 31/12/06, VUJE 2/1/07.
France to build new fast reactor by 2020
The French government's Atomic Energy Committee has decided to proceed with a 4th generation sodium-cooled fast reactor prototype from 2012. A gas-cooled fast reactor design will be developed in parallel. These are planned for commercial deployment in France and for export after 2035-2040. The design will be developed from France's earlier fast reactors, Phenix and Superphenix. The prototype, possibly built at Marcoule, will be about 800 MWe and is expected to cost about EUR 1.5 billion. The project will be led by the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
Platts 21/12/06.
Russia to build new fast reactor for research
The BOR-60 research reactor which started up in 1969 is to be replaced about 2015 with a new large (100 MW) sodium-cooled research reactor capable of testing lead, lead-bismuth and gas coolants as well as sodium, and running on mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. The Russian Institute of Atomic Reactors (RIAR) at Dimitrovgrad, 1300 km SE of Moscow, operates the BOR-60 fast reactor along with six other research reactors. RIAR intends to set up an on-site closed fuel cycle, using pyrochemical reprocessing it has developed at pilot scale.
NucNet news #265/06.
Italian reprocessing agreement
A bilateral French - Italian agreement has cleared the way for SOGIN - Italy's nuclear waste management body - to sign a contract with Areva NC for reprocessing 235 tonnes of used nuclear fuel now in storage. It is to be shipped to the La Hague plant through to 2015 and the wastes are to be returned after 2020.
Platts 27/11/06.
Spain reduces wind subsidy
While increasing subsidies for biomass and doubling them for solar, the Spanish government is reducing subsidies for wind power from about EUR 9.7c/kWh this year to between 6.7 and 8.4 cents/kWh. The total subsidy to wind power is expected to be EUR 1.8 billion per year to 2010 to help boost wind from the current 0.75% of production. Nuclear power, providing 20% of Spain's electricity, receives no subsidies, although former phase-out policies have been put on hold.
IHT 4/12/06, Environmental Finance 7/12/06.
Westinghouse wins China bid
After 22 months deliberation extending to high political levels, Westinghouse has been selected by the State Nuclear Power Technology Company to build four of its AP1000 nuclear power reactors in China. These are the pioneer 3rd generation plants for China, and major technology transfer is involved. Two of the 1100 MWe units will be built at Sanmen in Zhejiang province for China National Nuclear Corporation and two are designated for Yangjiang in Guangdong province for China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co. Areva was the losing bidder with its EPR, though it still expects to sell two of these for another site in China. Atomstroyexport (ASE) also bid but was eliminated earlier.
The deal is estimated to be worth some US$ 5 billion for the nuclear portion of the plants only (the turbines are subject to separate tender). They will have about 50% local content and the first are expected to be operating in 2013. The US Energy Secretary signed an agreement with the National Development and Reform Commission regarding transfer of nuclear technology to China. Contracts are expected to be signed early in 2007.
Meanwhile Tianwan unit 1 built by ASE is reported to have entered commercial production and unit 2 is preparing to load fuel.
Westinghouse 16/12/06, Nucleonics Week 21/12/06, Nuclear.Ru 17/1/07.
Japan's MOX policy moves forward
In further progress towards use of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel in Japan's nuclear power plants, Shikoku Electric Power has contracted with Mitsubishi to manufacture 21 MOX fuel assemblies for its Ikata nuclear plant using 600 kg of reactor-grade plutonium. The plutonium has been recovered by Areva at La Hague from Shikoku's used fuel and the MOX will be fabricated at Areva's Melox plant, also in France.
Atoms in Japan 22/11/06, Areva 29/11/06.
Canadian agreement aids Argentina
Three months after announcing a US$ 3.5 billion strategic plan for its nuclear power sector, Nucleoelectrica Argentina SA has signed up Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) to refurbish its first CANDU 6 power station - Embalse, and undertake a feasibility study for a new 700 MWe CANDU 6 unit to be built 2010-15. It also covers assistance with the part-built Atucha-2 unit, to be completed in 2010. The Embalse work involves extending its life by 25 years and will cost about US$ 400 million, while the new reactor would cost about $2 billion. Argentina can join AECL in providing heavy water.
AECL 27/11/06, CP Wire 28/11/06.
New Kazakh mine in production
Production has commenced at the Zarechnoye mine, a joint venture between Russia and Kazakhstan. Further phases are planned to come into production from 2008 and 2010 to exploit total reserves of 19,048 tU. Techsnabexport (Tenex) and KazAtomProm each hold 49.33% in the project, while Atomredmetzoloto of Russia and the Kara Balta Mining Combine of Kyrgyzstan each hold 0.67%. Industry officials attending an inauguration ceremony signed an agreement for an "integrated program" of nuclear energy between Russia and Kazakhstan which would "lead the world" in uranium mining and enrichment.
Nuclear.Ru 13/12/06.
Delays at Iran's Bushehr reactor
Russia's Atomstroyexport (ASE) is completing the 1000 MWe Bushehr pressurized water reactor, started by Siemens in 1975, quite separately from Iran's indigenous uranium enrichment program. Bushehr is scheduled to start up in November 2007, but reports say Iranian officials insist on letter-perfect execution of the contract, yet are consistently short of funding: US$ 37 million short in October-November. Meanwhile, ASE has increased the project workforce by 500. Fuel is expected to be shipped from Russia before mid year.
Regnum.Ru 12/12/06; Nuclear.Ru 13/12/06.
Asian summit focuses on energy
A 16-nation East Asia summit at Cebu in the Philippines has resulted in an accord to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance regional energy security. The Chinese premier pledged to take an active part. The declaration said that "renewable energy and nuclear power will represent an increasing share" of supply. As well as ASEAN nations, China, India, Japan, South Korea and Australia were involved.
AFP 15/1/07, http://www.aseansec.org/
New Namibian uranium mine starts
Paladin Resources' Langer Heinrich uranium mine in Namibia has produced its first concentrate, and will ramp up to 1000 tU/yr in 2007.
Paladin 28/12/06.
Canada announces clean energy ambition
Having frozen a number of programs when it came to office, the Conservative government has announced C$ 230 million (US$ 200 million) investment over four years for researching clean energy technologies including next-generation nuclear power. It also flagged the possibility of using nuclear power for extracting oil from Alberta's oil sands, reducing the substantial demand for natural gas and cutting CO2 emissions from this.
Globe & Mail 18/1/07, CBC18/1/07.
Australian parliamentary report published
After 20 months work the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry & Resources has published a 732-page report Australia's Uranium: Greenhouse Friendly Fuel for an Energy Hungry World. Its Chairman said that the Committee had "reached a unanimous and bipartisan position on the need to remove all impediments to the further development of Australia's uranium resources. All members are agreed that present restrictions on uranium exploration and mining are illogical, inconsistent and anti-competitive". "Australia is uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to emissions reductions though increased production and supply of uranium." He said that "Australia should throw the world a climate lifeline through the expanded production and export of this greenhouse-friendly fuel" since renewables and energy efficiency "alone have no prospect whatsoever of meeting rapidly-growing demands for energy and abating greenhouse gas emissions to the degree required."
In respect to uranium exports to developing countries such as China: "As a matter of energy justice, Australia should not deny countries who wish to use nuclear power in a responsible manner the benefits from doing so." Parliament has now approved the bilateral treaty with China.
HOR SC report
Australian nuclear power report released
After six months work the report from the Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review was released by the Prime Minister in December. He said that in the context of meeting increased energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions "if we are to have a sensible response we have to include nuclear power". "The report provides a thorough examination of all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle and the possible role of nuclear power in generating electricity in Australia in the longer term. It provides a clear and comprehensive analysis of the facts surrounding the nuclear industry and debunks a number of myths. I am certain that the report will make a significant contribution to informing public debate on these issues.
"The report demonstrates clearly that there are no sound reasons to prevent uranium mining in Australia and that the global growth in uranium demand provides a timely opportunity for Australia. I call upon state governments to end their bans on uranium mining and exploration, which stand in the way of investment, jobs and exports. The report's analysis of the relative greenhouse gas emissions and costs associated with different forms of electricity generation will be available for consideration by the Emissions Trading Taskforce, which is to report by the end of May 2007."
PM media release 29/12/06, UMPNER web site
ERA to build new plant
ERA has announced that it will build a $28 million processing plant at Ranger to treat 1.6 million tonnes of stockpiled lateritic ore over seven years from 2008. This is part of 42 Mt of stockpiled low-grade material. Following initial treatment it will be fed into the main plant, contributing 400 t/yr U3O8 to production.
ERA 29/11/06.
Australia and China ratify agreements
The bilateral Nuclear Transfer Agreement and the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with China have now been ratified through an exchange of diplomatic notes in Beijing and will enter force in 30 days. Australian uranium can then be exported to China for power generation. A series of public hearings in Australia last year paved the way for a recommendation to Australian parliament in December.
News.com.au 5/1/07.
Nuclear capacity up but reactor numbers down in 2006
During 2006 installed world nuclear capacity increased by about 475 MWe but operating reactor numbers dropped by six to 435 due to closure of eight older plants. China's new Tianwan-1 was connected to the grid in May and India's Tarapur-3 in June. Spain's Zorita closed in April, the UK's four oldest reactors closed in December, as did Bulgaria's two oldest units and Slovakia's oldest unit as a condition of EU entry. There were nine power uprates. Compared with January 2006, two more reactors were under construction, 25 more were planned and 45 more were proposed.
Uranium price finishes high
The spot price of uranium quoted by Ux Consulting finished 2006 at US$ 72/lb U3O8 ($187/kgU), almost double the level a year ago and ten times the price six years ago.
Rio Tinto rethinks uranium divestment
Rio Tinto Energy America has withdrawn its US uranium assets from sale due to "significant and unexpected changes" in world uranium market since it signed an agreement with SXR Uranium One in July 2006. The aborted $110 million deal involved the Sweetwater uranium mill and associated leases in Wyoming which Rio bought in the early 1990s but has never operated.
SXR Uranium One 8/1/07.
EU carbon emission allowances fall
The price of an allowance to emit one tonne of CO2 in 2007 fell below EUR 6 in the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) at the end of 2006 and below EUR 4 in January. This is the lowest level since trading began, and comes at the start of the last year of a three-year first phase of the ETS. Part of the reason is an oversupply of allowances granted earlier, and part is due to the price of gas falling significantly, improving the economics of burning gas instead of coal for electricity generation. CO2 emission allowances for December 2008, the first year of the second phase of the ETS, were trading at EUR 17.50/t at end of year, indicating a perception that allocations for the second phase will be tighter.
Earlier, the European Commission rejected all but one of the first batch of National Allocation Plans submitted for the second phase of the EU ETS, 2008-2012 and allocated emissions targets on average of 7% below those proposed by governments and 1% lower than the actual emissions from those Member States in 2005. Only the UK had its proposed target approved. Earlier in the year the EU ETS suffered a loss of credibility when it emerged that the emissions allocations for 2005-2007 were too generous. This triggered a collapse in the price of emissions allowances and was widely seen as damaging the ability of the ETS to signal a long term price for carbon to stimulate investment in lower emissions technologies. Governments have protested and Germany in particular claims the new targets will mean increases in power prices. The EU ETS covers around half of all emissions in the EU and excludes transport, where emissions are rising rapidly. Other national plans are being assessed.
The Age 4/1/07.
Momentum builds for wider carbon pricing
A number of large energy-using companies are becoming more vocal in several parts of the world, urging governments to put a price on the emission of greenhouse gases, notably CO2, so that they can make investment decisions with less uncertainty. A new Vattenfall study shows that the potential for reducing these emissions is quite evenly distributed among sectors and geographic regions, and is considerable. It suggests that emissions from the power sector (at present emitting 9.5 billion tonnes CO2 per year) can be reduced by about 6 billion tonnes by various means including greater use of nuclear power. It says that the cost of achieving this would be around EUR 15 (US$ 20) per tonne CO2, with much of it (40%) financed by increased efficiency.
WNN 23/1/07.
Reactor table
Nuclear power in the world today
Economics of nuclear power
Safety of nuclear power reactors
World energy needs & nuclear power
Civil liability for nuclear damage, insurance
Cooperation in nuclear power industry
Small nuclear power reactors
Nuclear fusion power
Geology of uranium deposits
Research reactors
Renewable energy & electricity
ISL mining of uranium
Nuclear energy prospects in Australia
Australian research reactors
Early Soviet reactors and EU accession
Emerging nuclear energy countries
Nuclear power in UK
Nuclear power in USA
Nuclear power in Argentina
Nuclear power in Bulgaria
Canada's uranium & nuclear power
Nuclear power in China
Nuclear power in Germany
Nuclear power in Russia
Nuclear power in Italy
Nuclear power in Slovakia
Nuclear power in South Africa
Policy responses to global warming
Nuclear powered ships
Australian uranium deposits & prospective mines (mines paper)
See also Ux Consulting graphs
World reactor changes in last two months:
UK: Dungeness A 1&2 reactors shut down 31/12 450 MWe
Sizewell A 1&2 reactors shut down 31/12, 420 MWe
Bulgaria: Kozloduy 3 & 4 shut down 31/12, 816 MWe
Slovakia: Bohunice-1 shut down 31/12, 408 MWe
Netherlands: Borssele 30 MWe uprate, Jan 07
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