World Nuclear News

A special report on the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2024 international forum, co-organised by the Nuclear Energy Institute and World Nuclear Association. The two day event included discussions from leading industry figures on all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, and enrichment companies, utilities, fuel suppliers and waste management specialists. One key question was the challenge of being able to supply the fuel which would be required for the tripling of nuclear energy capacity which many countries have pledged to aim for as part of their climate change goals. Also in Claire Maden's special report, hear about the use of innovative technologies in the nuclear fuel sector - including machine learning and neural network techniques and laser enrichment. The fuel cycle event was held alongside the World Nuclear Spotlight event, focused on Kazakhstan and its plans for a nuclear power programme. The news round-up includes BWXT announcing expansion plans, and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi outlining why the agency is not pointing the finger of blame over the drone attacks on or near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Fuel cycle players explore opportunities and challenges World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2024 BWXT announces expansion of Ontario manufacturing plant IAEA's Grossi explains why blame is not being attributed for Zaporizhzhia attacks WNN Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Professor Tim Tinsley prefers not to use the label of nuclear waste, instead referring to "legacy material". And it's not hard to see why, given the projects currently taking place to extract radionuclides from the material for use in pioneering treatments for cancer. It is also providing a new source of power and heat for spacecraft. Tinsley, Professor of Space Nuclear Power at the University of Leicester and Account Director for Space and Radioisotopes at the National Nuclear Laboratory in the UK, joins host Alex Hunt to give details on the life-saving and space-exploring projects and explains what value there is hidden within what has long just been seen as a problem. With the promising early stage clinical trials, and the plans to provide power for a mission to Mars in 2028, the newly discovered value in the legacy material is one of the factors which may be taken into account in plans for the safe longterm disposal of the material. There could yet be future discoveries that more of the material could become valuable in the years ahead, so, suggests Tinsley, being able to dispose of the material in a form that it is retrievable at minimal cost might be a good idea. Also this month, there is a report on the gathering of leaders and senior government representatives at the first-of-its-kind Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, including snippets of what the IAEA's Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and co-host Belgian PM Alexander de Croo had to say. Plus Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, French President Emmanuel Macron and COP29 host Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Leaders commit to 'unlock potential' of nuclear Nuclear Energy Summit Declaration National Nuclear Laboratory University of Leicester Nuclear Energy Summit WNN Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The ambitious aim for NexGen Energy, is to be supplying 25% of the world's mined supply of uranium - and about 50% of the western world's mined supply - when its Rook 1 project in Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada starts production, says its CEO, President and founder, Leigh Curyer. He joins host Alex Hunt and Claire Maden to outline how he got into the industry and the decision to set up NexGen - and the good news that interrupted a Valentine's Day meal in 2014. As well as outlining the plans and likely timeline for the Rook 1 project - and further exploration in the area - Leigh also gives his thoughts on the global uranium market, and prospects more broadly for the nuclear energy sector in the coming years, including signs of a change of mood in his native Australia. The World Nuclear News reports this month are from Claire Maden, on India's growing nuclear energy plans, and Warwick Pipe, who covers the recent International Energy Agency's ministerial meeting communique recognising nuclear as one technology for achieving nergy security and decarbonisation. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News NexGen Energy IEA Ministerial Meeting recognises role of nuclear India to seek nuclear investors as Kakrapar units inaugurated Ministerial approval for NexGen uranium project mail newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The UK operations managing director of Newcleo, Andrew Murdoch, joins host Alex Hunt to discuss the prospects for the company's lead-cooled fast reactor. It has Italian roots and expanding operations in France, but he says the company has the ambitious target of having 20 reactors in the UK by 2050. January saw EDF revise the schedule and projected budget for the Hinkley Point C project in the UK. Hear how Hinkley Point C managing director Stuart Crooks explained the revision in a message to staff, and also stressed the benefits likely to flow at the replica project at Sizewell C. There is also a round-up from World Nuclear News's Claire Maden of the raft of encouraging news from the uranium sector, fuelled by soaring spot prices and a generally positive outlook for nuclear power. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Newcleo EDF announces Hinkley Point C delay and rise in project cost Mining to resume at McClean Lake IAEA's Grossi's UN press conference on Ukraine Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The UK has plans to quadruple its nuclear energy capacity to 24GW by 2050. The government released its plan to get to that figure with its Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050. The arms-length delivery body established for new nuclear is Great British Nuclear, and in this episode, its Chairman Simon Bowen discusses the plans, and the changes proposed in how sites are chosen and in establishing other routes to market for new nuclear. Bowen also sets out the latest on the UK's on-going small modular reactor competition. At the moment there are six shortlisted - EDF, GE Hitachi, Holtec, NuScale, Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse. The aim is to get the invitation to tender documents out very soon, he said, with contracts agreed later this year with up to four of them, which would take them through to a financial investment decision by 2029. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Great British Nuclear Consultation on siting new nuclear Consultation on alternative routes to market UK SMR selection contest: Six companies into next stage Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

A special report on nuclear's role at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, better known as COP28, in Dubai. It was the first time nuclear energy has been formally specified as one of the solutions to climate change in a COP agreement. Jonathan Cobb, senior communication manager at World Nuclear Association, was in the UAE for the event and he reports on declarations by governments, and by industry, backing a tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050 as part of the Net Zero Nuclear intiative, as well as the inclusion of nuclear in the final text of the Global Stocktake. Henry Preston, external communication manager for the association, reports on the many side events featuring nuclear, including a focus on potential newcomer countries such as the Philippines and Australia. As the new year gets under way Sama Bilbao y León, director general of World Nuclear Association, considers the significance of COP28 for nuclear and looks back at the sector's main achievements of 2023 as well as looking ahead to the coming year's main goals and key moments to watch out for. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Net Zero Nuclear COP28 agreement recognises nuclear's role Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge backed by 120 companies Ministerial declaration puts nuclear at heart of climate action COP28 Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Technology and function, ensuring their reliable and safe operation have long been the priorities when designing nuclear power plants. But why can't they look beautiful too? Dutch architect and designer Erick van Egeraat says that part of the way to continue to build public support for nuclear energy is to make nuclear power plants look good, "to make people feel good" when they see them. The award-winning professor and director of Design Erick van Egeraat outlined his thinking at World Nuclear Symposium, explaining the background to the work he is doing at Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is being built in Turkey. In the World Nuclear News monthly round-up Warwick Pipe reports on Sweden's plans for a "massive" expansion of nuclear energy and Claire Maden covers the end of NuScale and Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems' Carbon Free Power Project. And David Hess looks at how the conversation about nuclear has evolved and changed during his 14 years at World Nuclear Association, most recently as ESG programme lead. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Design Erick van Egeraat NuScale CEO remains upbeat after CFPP cancellation Sweden plans 'massive' expansion of nuclear energy Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

With the projected growth of nuclear projects over the coming decades, how will the supply chain in different parts of the world cope? EDF's Laurent-Olivier Coudeyre is chairman of World Nuclear Association's Supply Chain and Long-Term Operation Working Group, he joins us to outline how the supply chain works, the focus on quality, localisation and how it can develop in the future. We also hear from Nathan Paterson, the staff director of the association's working group, about some of the key themes from the recently published World Nuclear Supply Chain Report. Also in this edition, Claire Maden joins host Alex Hunt to report on developments in Canada where Bruce Power is getting the ball rolling for a potential Bruce C plant and Alberta is looking into the possible use of small modular reactors in its oil sands industry. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Supply Chain and Long-Term Operation Working Group Supply chain must expand to meet new build plans, report warns Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

World Nuclear Symposium, held in London, brought together key figures from across the global industry, who took part in a variety of panel discussions on many of the current big issues in the sector. In this special edition of the podcast, World Nuclear News reports on those sessions: The topics covered, in order: We hear from, in order of appearance: Key links to find out more: World Nuclear Symposium 2023 Nuclear Fuel Report 2023 Nuclear industry urged 'take advantage of window of opportunity' Net Zero Nuclear campaign launched, seeking to triple capacity by 2050 The challenge of recruiting a rapidly growing nuclear workforce Positive trends continue for global nuclear fuel cycle Successful nuclear projects key for future investments Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Reports from Claire Maden and Warwick Pipe. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production.

It was in 2003 that World Nuclear University was founded by World Nuclear Association, the International Atomic Energy Agency, World Association of Nuclear Operators and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, with a mission to provide comprehensive leadership, communications and technical training to support the next generation of nuclear leaders. As it marks its 20th birthday, host Alex Hunt is joined by World Nuclear University (WNU) director Isis Leslie to learn more about its work and also its exciting plans for the future. We also hear first-hand what the WNU experience is like from Estiner Katengeza, one of the fellows at this year's Summer Institute, which was held in Japan. In the World Nuclear News round-up Claire Maden reports on developments in Niger and considers the impact on the uranium sector, Warwick Pipe reports on the start of the discharge of treated water from Fukushima and there is also a report on the good news out of the USA from Vogtle. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear University WNU Alumni on Linkedin Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The annual World Nuclear Performance Report has all the statistics and numbers anyone interested in the nuclear energy sector could possibly want. It breaks down the performance of reactors across the world by type, by age and by country. The author behind it is World Nuclear Association's Jonathan Cobb, who joins us to discuss this year's findings. As well as explaining the reason why some parts of the world saw a small decline in nuclear energy output in 2022, he has a bundle of fascinating stats - including those which suggest the oldest reactors, ie over 50 years old, are more than matching the performance of the newer and younger ones. In the July World Nuclear News round-up Claire Maden covers a bundle of good news stories from Canada, Warwick Pipe reports on developments in France and Poland, while host Alex Hunt hears from UK Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps as he launched Great British Nuclear, the arms-length organisation intended to help the country hit its target of 24 GW of nuclear by 2050. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Performance Report 2023 Great British Nuclear Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

What is the current position with nuclear energy in the continent of Africa and what are the prospects for the future? Lassina Zerbo is the former head of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization and current chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board - he joins us to discuss the situation at the moment and look ahead to the future. He talks about the history and considers why there is only one country in the continent with an operating nuclear power plant, and how changes in public opinion and nuclear technology are helping to drive a wide range of planned developments. Director of World Nuclear Association's Harmony programme, King Lee, also outlines some of the many initiatives taking place which could transform the nuclear energy picture in Africa in the years to come. June has been another busy month for World Nuclear News and Warwick Pipe reports on developments with China's molten salt reactor, while Claire Maden sets out the USA's efforts to tackle the issue of HALEU fuel supplies for the next generation of nuclear reactors. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries Nuclear 'gaining traction' as option in many African countries, says IAEA Viewpoint: Nuclear energy is critical to Africa's agenda for sustainable development Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The World Nuclear Fuel Cycle international forum is co-organised by the Nuclear Energy Institute and World Nuclear Association. As the name suggests, this conference is very much focused on the commercial nuclear fuel cycle and the economic competitiveness of nuclear energy, so as you'd expect, the programme is firmly based around the issues that are of significance in the fuel marketplace - and that's certainly a complex and challenging place right now. Claire Maden has put together a special report on this year's gathering, which took place in April in the Netherlands. There has been a dramatic fall in the price of electricity in Finland over the past six months. Can that be linked to Olkiluoto 3's recent move into commercial operation? World Nuclear Association's Alec Mitchell crunches the numbers and explains the price fluctuation. The past month has also seen the unveiling of Westinghouse's proposed AP300 small modular reactor. Warwick Pipe reports on the launch and the back-story to the latest SMR contender. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Nuclear Fuel Cycle 2023 Nuclear Power in Finland Westinghouse's AP300 Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The French nuclear giant EDF and its partners have been working on their Nuward small nuclear reactor and have now spun the operation into a subsidiary company. Renaud Crassous, president of Nuward joins us to discuss its plans and timelines, and explains why the decision to set up a subsidiary company was taken. During a wide-ranging interview Crassous talks about the pioneering early design regulatory review being jointly carried out by regulators in three countries, and explains why the aim is for Nuward to be 'Europe's SMR' rather than just a French one. April has been a busy month for World Nuclear News's Warwick Pipe and Claire Maden who join host Alex Hunt to report on Germany exiting the nuclear energy scene as its last three nuclear reactors were shut down in the middle of the month. Plus, on a brighter note, they also explain the significance just a few days later of a ceremony held to inaugurate the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, as Turkey officially joined the league of nations with nuclear energy capacity. And there's time too for some positive news from Finland and its Olkiluoto 3 EPR. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Nuward A guide: The end of Germany’s nuclear power Presidents address ceremony inaugurating Turkey's first nuclear plant TVO accepts Olkiluoto EPR ahead of commercial operation Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency released a report in March which it described as the first publicly available international data on gender balance in the nuclear sector. Claire Maden reports on the report's key findings (that there's still a long way to go to boost female representation in the sector) and also on what NEA Director General William D Magwood IV and Fiona Rayment, chair of the NEA's Gender Balance Task Group had to say about the situation. The need to encourage more women into the nuclear sector is an issue returned to in an interview with Corhyn Parr, CEO of Nuclear Waste Services, who says her own experience has shown it is a great career choice. She also tells host Alex Hunt that with the expansion of nuclear in the coming years and the need to hit net zero targets, the sector needs to be able to attract and welcome the most talented people from across society. Parr also discusses progress made on the UK's plans for a Geological Disposal Facility. The aim is to narrow the current shortlisted areas down to two options by 2026, with the longer-term timescale looking at an operating start in 2050. The European Union's member states have been split over the position of nuclear energy within its sustainability framework and green taxonomy. Those differences are continuing with the EU's Net Zero Industry Act - Andrei Goicea, policy director for Nucleareurope, explains what the act is, what place nuclear has in it at the moment, and what happens next. In the news round-up World Nuclear News's Warwick Pipe reports on the contrasting nuclear energy developments taking place in Taiwan and South Korea. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News NEA: Gender Balance in the Nuclear Sector Nucleareurope Nuclear Waste Services Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Brandon Munro, CEO of Bannerman Energy, joins us to consider the impact on the uranium and wider nuclear sector of the Russia-Ukraine war as it continues into a second year. Munro sees a bright future for the uranium sector and also talks about the prospects for an expansion of nuclear in Africa and why he sees the Cameco-Westinghouse deal as a good thing, and one which gives more backing for the idea of nuclear energy being part of green taxonomies. And what about those people who are opposed to nuclear energy? Is it possible to change minds? Munro, who has around 20,000 followers on Twitter (@brandon_munro) says that conversations are key - in his experience once people know the facts they tend to be in favour. Never before has one country's military occupied another country's nuclear power plants. World Nuclear News's Claire Maden joins host Alex Hunt to recap a timeline of some of the key events. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Bannerman Energy IAEA report on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

What can be done to improve the process of getting approval for new nuclear in different countries? If a reactor, for example a small modular reactor, is approved in one country, can that help to speed up the process in a different country? Jay Wileman is president and CEO of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy so is well placed to outline what the issues are for companies such as his, which is currently in the process of getting approvals from multiple countries for the BWRX-300 SMR. Wileman is a key figure in World Nuclear Association's Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licencing Group, better known as the CORDEL working group, which focuses on the benefits and means of achieving a worldwide convergence of reactor safety standards and approaches to licensing reactor designs. Doing so would have big cost savings and allow much faster adoption of nuclear energy in different countries. Joint CORDEL programme leader, Ronan Tanguy, joins us to explain how the group works, and sets out some specific goals. It has been a busy start to the year and World Nuclear News's Warwick Pipe and Claire Maden join host Alex Hunt to discuss the positive nuclear policy changes in countries stretching from Sweden to South Korea, and also outline expectations of as many as 10 reactor start-ups scheduled for 2023. There is also an update on the US strategic reserve of domestically produced uranium. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News CORDEL: Different Interpretations of Regulatory Requirements GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

Uranium is a key part of the nuclear energy sector and there has been a growing focus on it, and the entire nuclear fuel cycle, following Russia's military action in Ukraine. Claire Maden sets out the fascinating history of uranium and John Ciampaglia, CEO of Sprott Asset Management, joins us to discuss the uranium market in 2022 and how that is linked to wider nuclear sector developments. As a new year begins, World Nuclear Association's director general Sama Bilbao y León reviews the main achievements and challenges of 2022 and sets out her hopes for the sector in 2023. There is also a special focus on India, with an overview of its nuclear energy history from Shah Nawaz Ahmad, the WNA's India expert, as well as an overview of current and future developments. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Guide to uranium (from World Nuclear Asssociation) Sprott A guide to nuclear power in India Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The World Association of Nuclear Operators generally keeps a low public profile, but its CEO Ingemar Engkvist joins us to explain why that low public profile is deliberate, and outlines how the organisation works and how its members support each other. He also discusses the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. Watch out for Engkvist's very unusual story about how he first became involved in the nuclear field, and as he comes to the end of his three-year term he talks about the exciting prospects for nuclear energy in the decades ahead. In the news round-up for November, the focus is on the role nuclear played at COP27. World Nuclear Association's Jonathan Cobb and Henry Preston report on the event and from some of the expert sessions staged at the #Atoms4Climate pavilion at the event in Egypt - the first time there has been such a platform at a COP. Speakers featured included: Juice:How Electricity Explains the World Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News World Association of Nuclear Operators World Nuclear Association COP27 in-depth report Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

October saw the big news that a strategic partnership of Cameco Corporation and Brookfield Renewable Partners is to acquire Westinghouse Electric Company for a total enterprise value of approximately USD8 billion. Brookfield Renewable, together with its institutional partners, will own a 51% interest in Westinghouse and Cameco will own 49%. Closing of the transaction is expected in the second half of 2023, subject to certain conditions, including approval from Brookfield Business Partners unit holders and regulatory approvals. So who better to explain the thinking behind the deal than Cameco President and CEO Tim Gitzel, who says why he thinks the timing is right for the deal and how it fits into what he sees as the future growth of the global nuclear energy sector. He also outlines the current state and outlook for the uranium/fuel business, reflects on the impact of the Russian war with Ukraine on the global nuclear industry and says that with new technological developments nuclear has an increasingly crucial role to play in efforts to combat climate change. In the news round-up for the month Claire Maden covers the start of fuel loading at Vogtle 3, the USA's first completely new nuclear unit for more than three decades, while Warwick Pipe outlines the latest state of play in Germany and the decision to rethink the end of year shutdown plans for its final nuclear power plants. We also hear what Greta Thunberg and Bill Gates have been saying about nuclear energy. Key links to find out more: World Nuclear News Cameco Closing nuclear in Germany while increasing coal 'a mistake', says Greta Thunberg IAEA interview with Bill Gates Pandora's Promise, official website Email newsletter: Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups Contact info: alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production