Electricity consumption in China reached 650 billion kWh in the first four months of 2004 - up 16% on a year earlier, and mainly in secondary and service industries. In the context of a hydro deficit due to low rainfall, all plants are running at maximum possible capacity, with no reserves. In 24 provinces blackouts and brownouts, with power disconnections (load shedding) up to 12 hours per day, are routine, as is rationing. In 2003 orders for new generating plant amounted to over 10% of existing capacity. Electricity demand growth of only 4.3% per annum to 2025 had been projected.
In the context of this, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is moving to build eight large new reactors, almost doubling the nuclear capacity from that existing (6587 MWe) and under construction (1900 MWe). Four of the units - at Lingdong and Sanmen - already have preliminary approval in its tenth economic plan to 2005, and this has since been confirmed by the State Council. The four pairs are:
Lingdong, in Guangdong province, to duplicate the Lingao nuclear plant,
Sanmen, in Zhejiang province, using foreign technology and design for 1000 MWe units,
Qinshan, in Zhejiang province, phase 4 to duplicate phase 2 of the Qinshan nuclear plant, and
Yangjiang, in Guangdong province, using foreign technology and design for 1000 MWe units.
In June, two significant agreements of intent were signed by French-based Areva and Chinese utilities in the presence of the French Prime Minister and the Chinese Vice Premier. The agreements follow earlier cooperation between Framatome ANP and Guangdong/CNNC over 18 years.
The first, with the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company, covers technical cooperation for construction of two 1000 MWe reactors at Lingdong, effectively duplicating the Lingao plant which uses Framatome-ANP technology. The second agreement is with CNNC for technical cooperation in construction of two reactors - apparently of 600 MWe - at Qinshan in Zhejiang province, duplicating phase 2 of that plant which is substantially indigenous. The two utilities are expected to let contracts for the four reactors by the end of the year and commission them by 2010.
CNNC is expected to call for bids on the four further large reactors, two at Sanmen in Zhejiang province and two at Yangjiang in Guangdong province, so as to let contracts in 2005. While these have been proposed as 1000 MWe units, CNNC is also interested in an updated version of Framatome ANP's 1500 MWe N4 design as most recently built in France, and also the third-generation EPR (1600 MWe) such as is being built in Finland. For a smaller unit Framatome would bid its CNP 1000 reactor, developed with CNNC from the Lingao design. Westinghouse is likely to bid its AP1000 and Atomstroyexport its VVER-91 model such as the two now nearly completed construction at Jiangsu Tianwan in Liangyungang province.
China plans to quadruple nuclear capacity, to 36,000 MWe, by 2020.
Xinhua 3/6/04, FT 12/8 & 4/12/03, 9/7/04, EIA China brief July 2004, Areva 11/6/04, Nucleonics Week 17/6/04, 'Areva in China', China Daily 26/5 & 22/7/04, FT 27/5/04,
The Australian federal Government's Energy White Paper has affirmed the future of coal, which now provides practically all of the country's power, and undergirds a significant portion of both direct and indirect exports. The policy document is a bold repudiation of populist sentiment regarding the scope for renewable energy technologies in Australia's future. It resists special pleading to provide a blank cheque for intermittent renewables, despite their admirable clean energy virtues.
In that regard it is a welcome contrast to other national policies such as UK's, which have expansively projected up to 20% of their electricity supply coming from wind etc within a couple of decades, without a hope of that being realised.
But, with over 40% of Australia's energy exports (in thermal terms) being uranium, the absence of this in future scenarios for the country is peculiar, to say the least. Not that it is rejected, it is simply not considered in the White Paper. It leaves government open to the accusation that it is content to mouth off about greenhouse concerns while doing little more than political window-dressing in moving to effective clean energy.
As cryptically acknowledged in the White Paper (p 135), nuclear energy "can deliver electricity with virtually zero emissions." But, while "industrialised countries on average generate 24 percent of their electricity from nuclear power, Australia is not contemplating the domestic use of nuclear power."
Historically this has been because of its magnificent, high-quality coal reserves, distributed more or less where they are needed. Some 85% of the country's electricity comes from burning that coal, the cost of which is almost the lowest in the world. Australian electricity prices are around 40% of Japan's and 60-70% of most in Europe.
But if - and it seems to be a big "if" - one factors in carbon values to price the emission of carbon dioxide from coal burning, the figures look different. Nuclear power is very much in the ballpark economically, and it actually eliminates the carbon emissions rather than subjecting them to complex economic wheeling and dealing.
The White Paper sensibly supports measures to capture and bury the carbon dioxide from making electricity, and this is a most exciting prospect. But even the coal industry's own projections admit that the cost will be high - way above the cost of nuclear power. The problem is not so much burying the CO2, but capturing it in the first place.
Nuclear power remains an option for countries like Australia in providing continuous reliable supply of electricity on a large scale. And it is getting more attractive as greenhouse concerns increase.
The world sceneA large new-generation reactor is now being built in Finland, after very careful cost-benefit analysis and public consultation, and a similar unit has been announced for France. In the USA, both government and industry are gearing up for a new phase of nuclear plant construction.
Today, some 440 reactors provide 16 percent of the world's electricity. Importantly, this is virtually without greenhouse gas emissions. About 30 more power reactors are under construction.
In Australia's corner of the world, China and India plan at least a fourfold increase in nuclear capacity by 2020, while those territories which already meet a substantial proportion of their electricity demand from nuclear power plan steady expansion - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.
France is thoroughly committed to nuclear power - 80% of supply, making it the world's largest net exporter of electricity due to the very low costs. Europe depends on nuclear power for one third of its electricity.
In Canada, Ontario has resolved to close down its coal-fired plants in 2007. Its task force report rejects reliance on gas and points to more nuclear for replacement capacity. The government has supported this.
Energy security is another consideration for some countries: gas is difficult and expensive to store in large quantities, uranium (either ex-mine or as fabricated fuel) can readily and relatively cheaply be stockpiled in any quantity.
Public opinion has been influenced by the 1986 Chernobyl accident and the strenuous incitement to fear by those ideologically opposed to such technologies (currently GM foods are the focus of this), but scaremongering eventually wears thin. In the USA public opinion is increasingly positive on the grounds of forward price stability for electricity, clean air values, and reliability of supply.
There is increasing awareness everywhere that future electricity supplies will need to be from all available options, albeit with a bias to those with least environmental impact and best resource base.
The low greenhouse gas intensity of nuclear power means it is prudent for Australia to assess the role of nuclear power in the energy mix. In a carbon-constrained future, other options for base-load zero emission technologies are evidently too expensive or unavailable.
From UIC Opinion piece in AFR 24/6/04
Contractors sought for nuclear R&D and new reactors
The US Department of Energy has sought proposals to develop the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) from two existing entities and run it as the major US centre for nuclear energy R&D. It will begin operation as the new INL in 2005 and will focus on advanced, next-generation nuclear power systems both for electricity and hydrogen production on a very large scale.
The DOE is also seeking a partner to develop the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP), a Generation IV reactor of some kind, as its leading concept to achieve this. A pilot plant demonstrating technical feasibility is envisaged by 2020 at INL but with international collaboration. If successful, the NGNP "will be smaller, safer, more flexible and more cost-effective than any commercial nuclear plant in history. The NGNP will secure a major role for nuclear energy for the long-term future and also provide the US with a practical path toward replacing imported oil with domestically produced, clean, and economic hydrogen." The DOE goals for a commercial NGNP are: electricity at <1.5 c/kwh, hydrogen at < 40 c/litre gasoline equivalent, overnight capital cost < $1000/kw dropping to half that.
DOE 26/5/04.
Government backs reactor study
The US Department of Energy has agreed to fund half the $4.25 million costs of a feasibility study on building a 2-unit Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) at Bellefonte in Alabama. The industry team led by the Tennessee Valley Authority includes GE, Toshiba, and Bechtel. Following completion of the study next year, TVA will decide whether to lodge a combined Construction and Operating Licence (COL) for ABWR units on the site. The 3rd generation ABWR already has US Nuclear Regulatory Commission design certification, and three units are operating in Japan.
DOE 23/5/04.
Reactor performance and capacity continue to rise
Last year the 103 US reactors generated 764 billion kWh, slightly less than in 2002 due to downtime for major equipment upgrades including replacement of eight reactor vessel heads and four steam generators. One quarter of the US reactors have now been granted 20-year licence extensions to take their life expectancy to 60 years, and another 60 are expected to join them, thereby justifying major expenditure on refurbishing. WANO data shows high performance and safety levels.
Over the last 17 years the median capacity factor of US nuclear power reactors has risen steadily from 67% to 90%, on the basis of 3-year periods. For the 102 reactors in mainly routine operation, the net capacity factors ranged from 70 to 99% over 2001-03.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission expects 12 new applications for reactor power uprates this year and 12 more by 2008. If approved, these would increase US nuclear generating capacity by 1692 MWe gross.
Nucleonics Week 24/6 & 15/7/04, Nuclear News, May 2004.
US public opinion firms
An April poll showed that US public support for nuclear power had increased to its highest level in more than two decades. Among college graduates, three times as many support it than oppose. Overall 65% are in favour of using nuclear energy for electricity, but more specifically 82% support licence renewal for nuclear plants and 64% would be happy for a new reactor to be added to their nearest nuclear plant. Three quarters supported collaboration between utilities and the Department of Energy to develop new reactor designs.
NEI Insight June 2004.
US assistance for fuel repatriation
The USA and Russia have signed an agreement to expedite the repatriation of Russian-origin high-enriched research reactor fuel and the conversion of reactors using it to enable use of low-enriched fuel. More than a dozen countries will become eligible for US assistance under the program. Since 1999, the USA, Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency have identified more than 20 reactors in 17 countries with Russian/Soviet fuel which are a concern. The new initiative comes in the context of the US Reduced Enrichment for Research & Test Reactors (RERTR) program and a similar Russian initiative, both dating from 1978. Consequently, US and Russian exports of high-enriched uranium ended by 1993. New higher-density low-enriched fuels are being developed to replace them.
US DOE 27/5/04, cf Research Reactors paper.
Yucca Mountain on display
The US Department of Energy has made available on the web a database of 1.2 million documents relating to the Yucca Mountain project for the US spent fuel repository, representing 20 years of scientific investigations on it. The document release prepares the way for submitting a licence application later this year.
Ux Weekly 5/7/04, www.ocrwm.doe.gov
French decision to build large new reactor
The board of Electricité de France has decided to build the first demonstration unit of an expected series of European Pressurised Water Reactors (EPRs). Construction of France's first 1600 MWe Framatome ANP reactor is expected to start in 2007, following public consultation which will include finalising the site, and licensing. Construction is then expected to take 57 months to start up in 2012. EdF is aiming to firm up an industrial partnership with other European utilities or power users for construction of the initial EPR before the end of the year - negotiations continue with German utilities. (Finland is also building an EPR unit at Olkiluoto.)
EdF is expected to announce its preference of sites in September following discussions with representatives from several places eager to have it. The leading candidates are apparently Penly and Flamanville in Normandy. After experience with the initial EPR units, a decision would be taken about 2015 on whether to build more of them over 30 years or so to replace the present EdF fleet, or switch to alternative designs such as Westinghouse's AP1000 or GE's ASBWR.
Meanwhile the Senate has approved by a large majority the energy policy bill which was passed 358 to 157 by the National Assembly at the end of May. It endorses nuclear energy as a priority and supports construction of a demonstration EPR.
Nucleonics Week 17 & 24/6, 1 & 22/7/04, NucNet news # 137/04.
French reprocessing gives cost advantage
A review of nuclear power economics in Japan and France shows that nuclear is competitive with other base-load options in both countries, but more so in France due to lower back-end reprocessing costs - these being about 6% of the power cost. The main output of this plutonium for mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel.
Nucleonics Week 15/7/04.
BNFL reports MOX plant problems
In its annual report BNFL mentions the ongoing problems it has had in commissioning the Sellafield Mixed-Oxide fuel fabrication plant, its flagship MOX facility. With full production delayed, four fabrication orders have been subcontracted to European competitors. First commercial production is now scheduled for March 2005, more than three years after plutonium was introduced. An organic oil exuding from glovebox sealant was apparently contaminating the fuel pellets.
BNFL report, Nucleonics Week 15/7/04, Platts 22/7/04.
Ukraine's Khmelnitsky-2 licensed
Energoatom has received an operating licence for the Khmelnitsky-2 nuclear reactor from Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Administration, on the basis that its safety conforms to current standards. Fuel loading, with a new design of assembly from Russia's TVEL, is complete and the unit is expected to start up in August. Rovno-4 is two months behind it, and is also expected to start up this year. Both are 950 MWe V-320 model (VVER-1000) reactors being completed by Energoatom using a consortium of Framatome ANP and Atomstroyexport.
After nine years of negotiation, the European Bank of Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) has approved a scaled-down loan of US$ 42 million to modernise and improve safety of the two units. This sum is being matched by US$ 83 million from Euratom, approved by the EC. Conditions for the loan include upgrading all 13 operating power reactors in Ukraine to K2-R4 standards, implementing revised tariffs to fund this, setting up a decommissioning fund and "reaching an internationally agreed level of nuclear liability insurance". Earlier attempts to agree loan conditions were thwarted by EBRD insistence on higher electricity tariffs. Construction of three further reactors - Khmelnitsky 3 & 4 and South Ukraine 4 - remains stalled.
Ux Weekly 5/7/04, EBRD 6/7/04, EC 20/7/04, Nucleonics Week 22/7/04.
Reprieve sought for Slovak and Bulgarian reactors
Slovakia is proposing to seek from other EU members a postponement to the agreed shutdown dates for its older Bohunice 1 & 2 reactors in the light of international expert reviews which have confirmed their safety. Under duress from the EU, Slovakia agreed in 1999 to close them in 2006 and 2008, four years before their design lifetimes ended, and leaving the country critically short of generating capacity until its planned Mochovce 3 & 4 reactors are completed. Bohunice 1 & 2 have been cited as prime examples of the high safety standards which early Soviet reactors could achieve through upgrading, with input from western firms such as Siemens.
A similar question arises with Bulgaria, which also in 1999 agreed to close down its older Soviet reactors as a condition of EU entry anticipated in 2007. Two units were closed in 2002, but discussion now centres on two more modern ones which the EC wants closed in 2006, well before their design lifetime ends. The Bulgarian president has called the agreement "a mistake". Members of the European Parliament and a group of 200 international experts have weighed in to support Bulgaria's plea to let them remain in operation, subject only to normal EU safety considerations and standards, at least until new nuclear capacity is completed at Belene.
Nucleonics Week 10/6/04.
Veteran British nuclear plant closes
After 45 years operation, the oldest UK nuclear power plant - Chaplecross - has closed down for decommissioning. The four 49 MWe Magnox reactors are no longer economic to run. This leaves four 2-unit UK Magnox power stations in operation (with much larger reactors) and due to close down over 2006-10. They are the last of the first-generation power reactors in the world, and the last of 11 UK Magnox power stations with 26 reactors.
British Nuclear Group 29/6/04.
IAEA supports Russian spent fuel plans
The IAEA Director General has reiterated his support for multinational spent fuel repositories and welcomed Russia's provision for building a state of the art geological repository and being the first in the world "to accept foreign spent fuel" for it. However, the head of Rosatom dampened this somewhat by confirming that while "Russia has all the necessary legal basis for the creation of such a site, it does not mean that it will definitely be built in our country" and anyway it will be several years before such a decision is made. The Russian Prime Minister announced his support for IAEA proposals for international repositories and pointed out that Russia was the only country with legal provision for such. (In fact Russia has already accepted a good deal of spent fuel from Finland and East Europe, but this was primarily for reprocessing.)
President Putin affirmed the role of IAEA and said that Russia was actively supporting it.
Agence France Presse 28/4/04, Platts 30/6/04, NucNet news # 144/04.
European renewables jack up electricity prices
A report from a consumer body says that incentives to promote renewable energy technologies in Europe add significantly to electricity costs - eg EUR 0.45 cents/kWh in Germany. The International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers' report said that "Most EU schemes simply guarantee premium tariffs for electricity generated from renewable energy. Š All too often consumers are required to pay high rates for inefficiently generated power. In addition (they) are also paying to maintain fossil-based generation capacity to guarantee supply during periods when renewables cannot deliver." In the UK the subsidy per kWh of renewables is significantly more than the wholesale electricity price.
Modern Power Systems June 2004, Nuclear Issues June 2004.
Call for nuclear option at German renewables conference
During the international Renewables 2004 energy conference in Bonn attended by 3000 people from 154 nations, a strong call was made by German opposition members to acknowledge the vital role of nuclear power and keep it as a live option. In a strategy paper on energy policy, the Christian Social Union (CSU) also highlighted Germany's undue dependence on oil and other hydrocarbons and advocated reversing the country's nuclear phase-out accord and extending the lives of operating reactors.
Deutsche Welle 4/6/04, Nucleonics Week 10/6/04.
Japanese reactor hits temperature target
Japan's small High Temperature Test Reactor (HTTR) has achieved a coolant outlet temperature of 950 degrees - a world first. The Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) 30 MW helium-cooled unit has operated since 1998 at slightly lower temperatures, but now achieving 950°C means that it is able to undertake thermochemical production of hydrogen from water, using the iodine-sulfur process which JAERI has been testing at bench scale. On the basis of the HTTR, JAERI is developing a larger (600 MWt module) version coupled to a gas turbine for electricity.
JAERI 19/4/04.
South Korean counties compete for waste dump
Following a government request last year - with the prospect of financial compensation - some ten counties in two provinces have applied to be considered as host location for South Korea's low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste repository. Each application has the signatures of one third of the county's voting adults. Bids are open until September and will then need to be confirmed by majority vote. A Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Energy (MOCIE) committee will then make a choice by year end.
Korea Times 31/5/04.
South Korean waste study on track
A ten-year study assessing options for South Korea's high-level wastes is on track to report to the government in 2007. Deep geological disposal in crystalline rock (granite or gneiss) is favoured on the basis of tests conducted so far by the Korea Atomic Research Institute, but the question of reprocessing the spent fuel remains open.
NuclearFuel 19/7/04.
Iran censured by IAEA
The Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency has adopted a resolution criticising Iran for failing to cooperate adequately with IAEA investigations of its nuclear program, aspects of which have no obvious peaceful application.
IAEA 18/6/04.
Security concern with Congo mine
The Shinkolobwe mine in southeastern Congo, which provided uranium for the US military program during the Second World War, has been closed for some years. However, a large number of people are gouging the remaining cobalt, nickel and platinum from it despite considerable health and safety risks, as evident in recent deaths. Some 6000 tonnes of ore per month are said to be leaving the site, and significant traces of uranium are included.
Times 22/7/04.
Ontario commits to reactor refurbishment
Pickering unit 1, Canada's oldest nuclear reactor, is to be put back into service at a total cost of C$ 900 million. The Ontario government has endorsed a decision by Ontario Power Generation, and the 515 MWe unit is expected back on line late in 2005 after being shut down since the end of 1997. Some C$ 325 million has already been spent on unit 1 in connection with the unit 4 refurbishing, so the project is partly complete. No decision has been taken yet on units 2 & 3, which were shut down at the same time. Unit 4 restarted in August 2003.
OPG 7/7/04.
Canadian Energy coalition urges investment
A submission calling for action to attract more private investment into energy supply projects has been presented to Canada's energy ministers by the Energy Dialogue Group, representing 14 energy sector associations. The immediate need for such investment is highlighted in the context of environmental constraints and likely higher fossil fuel prices. Governments are urged to give energy a higher priority and to co-operate with industry to build on Canada's energy advantages in the context of expanding world markets. Energy efficiency and the need for better public information on energy are also addressed, along with streamlining regulations and competitive tax treatment. Canada's "historic comparative advantage" in energy has diminished, and to meet anticipated 30-40% growth in demand over the next two decades while replacing ageing infrastructure, substantial investment is required.
EDG 19/7/04 - www.centreforenergy.com
Canadians deliberate waste options
Canada's Nuclear Waste Management Organisation (NWMO) has published three conceptual designs for what it might do with Canada's high-level radioactive waste, mainly spent fuel from power reactors. In conjunction with a public consultation, NWMO commissioned a study of the technical options specified in the 2002 Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, based on proven technologies, and then published the results earlier this year. NWMO was set up by the three nuclear utilities, and with AECL it is required to maintain trust funds for spent fuel management and probable disposal, and to explore options for storage and disposal. Less than 3000 tonnes of spent fuel per year from Candu reactors is involved.
Reactor Site Extended Storage (at 7 sites) is found to be feasible, requiring only some further dry storage facilities to be built. Centralised Extended Storage is similar to systems operating in 12 countries already, but longer term. Dry storage is also preferred in this case, with two options on the surface and two below ground level. A deep geological repository is the third possibility, allowing later retrieval if required. It is most closely aligned with international consensus and has already been the subject of environmental review in Canada.
A further public discussion phase this year will lead to recommendations to government early in 2005.
NWMO speech 8/6/04, conceptual designs overview (www.nwmo.ca).
Australian uranium production
ERA has reported 2307 tonnes U3O8 (1956 tU) production from Ranger for the half year to 30 June, WMCR reported 2228 t UOC (2205t U3O8, 1870 tU) from Olympic Dam.
ERA 22/7/04, WMCR 15/7/04.
Backflip on waste repository
Bowing to state-level political implications, the Australian government has abandoned plans to construct a national low-level waste repository in outback South Australia and told the states each to set up their own, to international standards. This failure in cooperation appears to conclude twelve years of thorough bipartisan progress to locate and licence a single national facility. "All states and territories accepted the need for the safe and secure disposal, in one place, of low-level waste. But no-one wants it in their backyard." The Commonwealth government, owner of most existing low-level waste (totalling about 3700 cubic metres), will immediately look for a new site on commonwealth land and in due course co-locate the proposed intermediate-level waste store there. Australia produces about 45 cubic metres of low and intermediate-level wastes per year compared with a world total of about 150,000 cubic metres per year which ends up in some 70 repositories.
PM media release 14/7/04.
Olympic Dam to double?
WMC Resources has announced that it will spend A$ 50 million over two years to assess the potential for doubling the size of its Olympic Dam copper-uranium mine in South Australia. The capital cost involved would be A$2-4 billion. Some $4 billion has already been invested in the mine, including $680 million in the last 3.5 years, and last year the mine generated A$ 670 million in export income. The study will include 72 km of drilling on the southern deposit and assessing mining options including possibly a massive open pit to access the orebody which starts 350 metres down. Proved and probable reserves are some 368,000 t U3O8 (312,000 tU), the total resource being over 1.2 million tonnes (1 MtU). Present production capacity is 4500 t/yr U3O8 with 235,000 t copper.
SA Premier media release 26/5/04.
Uranium resource update
The 2003 edition of the "Red Book" - the IAEA-OECD/NEA biennial Uranium: Resources, Production & Demand, has been published. It shows a 17% increase in known conventional resources over two years, to 4.6 million tonnes uranium recoverable at less than US$ 130/kgU. Of this, 2.5 MtU is reasonably assured resources (RAR) at less than US$ 80/kgU, with Australia holding 28.5% of this, followed by Kazakhstan (15.6%) and Canada (13.6%). Current world demand is 67,000 tU/yr and spot price US$ 48/kgU. The report notes that "significant additional production capability" will be necessary by 2020 unless more secondary supplies (from stockpiles or military sources) appear.
Considering known recoverable resources below US$ 40/kgU, Australia's figures have improved by 15% to 965,000 tonnes - 40% of world total, virtually all of which is in six deposits: Olympic Dam, Ranger, Jabiluka, Koongarrra, Kintyre and Yeelirrie. Canada and Kazakhstan have most of the rest in the low-cost category.
FreshFuel 12/7/04, Ux Weekly 12 & 19/7/04.
G8 summit freezes nuclear equipment trade
As a first step towards tightened rules on transfer of sensitive nuclear technologies, the G8 leaders have agreed on a one-year freeze on transfers of uranium enrichment and nuclear reprocessing technologies to countries which do not already have such capabilities. The suspension is aimed at countries suspected of developing clandestine weapons programs under the guise or cover of a civil nuclear fuel cycle, but the proposal has not yet been considered or agreed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. (Large commercial uranium enrichment plants serving international customers operate in the USA, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands and Russia, and there are smaller plants in Japan, China, Pakistan, Argentina and Brazil. Iran is attempting to set up a plant. Reprocessing plants with civil application are in UK, France, Russia, Japan and India. Export guidelines are currently set by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, set up in 1974 and now with about 35 member countries.) Iran and North Korea were cited as being of particular concern.
Guardian 10/6/04, IHT 9/6/04, Dawn 11/6/04.
British ecologist vocal on nuclear need
James Lovelock, the world-famous British scientist who has been at the forefront of drawing attention to global warming, has again spoken out about the urgent need to develop nuclear power. He said that the Green lobbies had let us down and that they should "drop their wrongheaded objection to nuclear energy." "Civilisation is in imminent danger and has to use nuclear - the one safe, available energy source, now." Renewable energy sources are insufficient to make much difference. Professor Lovelock is best known for developing the Gaia hypothesis, suggesting that the Earth remains fit for life due to self-regulating chemistry and climate feedback - a notion that was slow to gain scientific credibility.
Independent 24/5/04.
Capital for small uranium ventures frees up
Denison Mines in Canada has announced a successful C$ 10 million private capital raising for uranium exploration and general purposes, while Paladin Resources in Australia has raised A$ 3.5 million in a private placement with Canadian investors for completing the feasibility study of its Langer Heinrich uranium mine in Namibia and other purposes.
Denison 31/5/04, Paladin 27/5/04.
World Energy Congress to feature nuclear power
The expected increasing "role of nuclear power in delivering sustainable energy in both developed and developing countries" will be a major topic of September's 19th World Energy Congress in Sydney. Its "advantages in terms of global warming, cost stability and high capacity factors" will be canvassed, with a focus on Asia. Sustainability is the conference theme, and according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers' survey, security of energy supply is the top issue for both energy companies and governments across the world.
WEC 25/6/04.
Colin Keay's Nuclear Issues books
The second edition of Nuclear Radiation Exposed in this series has just appeared, adding to the popular-level 40-page books in A5 format. His Nuclear Energy Fallacies, Nuclear Electricity Gigawatts and Nuclear Common Sense are the other three titles in the series. All are easily read and entertaining, pitched for the layman. The author is a retired physicist and astronomer from University of Newcastle.
Copies are obtainable from Enlightenment Press, PO Box 166, Waratah NSW 2298 @ $7 each posted or $25 for four posted. www.enlightenmentpress.com
Briefing & mines papers updated in last two months include:
Reactor table
Uranium markets
Canada's U production and nuclear power
US nuclear power industry
World uranium mining
Nuclear power in Germany
Nuclear power in Ukraine
Nuclear power in China (includes Taiwan)
Nuclear power in Bulgaria
Nuclear power in Finland
Nuclear power in Sweden
Nuclear power in UK
Nuclear power in South Korea
Nuclear power in Czech Republic (new)
Nuclear power in Slovakia (new)
Nuclear power in Hungary (new)
Nuclear power in Romania (new)
California's electricity
Civil liability for nuclear damage
The hydrogen economy
"Clean Coal" technology
The nuclear debate
Environmental aspects of U mining
Ux: 19 July US$ 18.50/lb U3O8, US$ 48/kgU.
See also Ux Consulting graphs
World reactor changes
UK: Chapelcross 1-4 closed, 196 MWe total
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