Greetings Grecia!

In this week’s issue, we share PGS President Ken Luongo’s appearance on Veriten's podcast during which he discusses nuclear geopolitics, developments in the nuclear market, and the implications of the U.S. decision to cutoff Russian uranium imports. We spotlight the passage of the ADVANCE Act and examine its significance for the U.S. nuclear energy sector going forward. Finally, we highlight key nuclear technology, security, and geopolitical developments, reports, and analyses.

This issue of Nuclear News and Views was produced by PGS Program Director, Patrick Kendall, and Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellow, Emily Day.

PGS President Ken Luongo joined Veriten’s podcast for a conversation on the role of nuclear geopolitics, developments in the nuclear market, and the implications of the U.S. decision to cutoff Russian uranium imports. On the heels of the U.S. government committing over $3 billion to support the domestic uranium supply chain, Luongo shared his perspective on how Russian aggression in Ukraine and Russia’s outsized role in the global uranium supply chain has caused many U.S. policymakers to rethink their strategy. Additionally, the podcast discussed where U.S. funding in the uranium sector might be applied and whether it will be enough to reduce the United States’ dependence on Russian uranium and nuclear fuel. Luongo also discussed China’s role in the global energy security picture, as well as a recently published study on the proliferation risks of some potential advanced reactor uranium supply chains.

Patrick Kendall, Program Director, Partnership for Global Security

Spotlight

President Joe Biden signed the Accelerating Development of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act following its recent passage in the Congress. The ADVANCE Act aims to incentivize and support the development and deployment of new advanced nuclear technologies, including measures to streamline the regulatory approvals process. The legislation directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to look for ways to speed up its licensing process for advanced reactor technologies, as well as to enhance its ability to qualify and license accident-tolerant fuels and advanced nuclear fuels. The act will support the development of advanced nuclear reactors in other countries, empowering the NRC to lead in international forums to develop regulations for advanced nuclear reactors. The legislation also revises the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to allow for the foreign ownership of nuclear power plants in the United States so long as it does not threaten national security or public safety. The ADVANCE Act was introduced in the Senate in March 2023, passing through the House of Representatives and the Senate this year.

Patrick Kendall, Program Director, Partnership for Global Security

The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution demanding Russia immediately withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and return control to Ukraine. The resolution emphasizes the assembly's ongoing calls for Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine and uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. There have been at least three IAEA confirmed attacks since early April of this year. Russian deputy ambassador to the U.N., Dmitry Polyansky, claimed the West sneaked in political elements to the resolution and promoted a false narrative about the source of threats to nuclear facilities.

A power unit at one of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants has been reconnected to the grid ahead of schedule following fuel reloading and repairs. Energoatom, Ukraine's national nuclear energy operator, emphasized that this will significantly bolster the country's energy system amidst current challenges.

The Czech Republic has selected Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) over Électricité de France (EDF) as the preferred bidder for a $22 billion project to build nuclear power plants for the Czech Republic. The project involves the construction of four nuclear reactors at the Dukovany and Temelin Nuclear Power Plants, with KHNP collaborating with a number of Korean and Czech companies on the project. This marks a major market capture for a Korean nuclear reactor export project since the 2009 agreement for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates.

In response to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) winning the bid to construct nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, U.S. company Westinghouse claims KHNP is not authorized to use its reactor technology for the tender without Westinghouse’s agreement. Westinghouse asserts that its protected technology is included in the Korean reactor. This has been an ongoing dispute since the Trump administration, and the dispute currently is being adjudicated through arbitration. Westinghouse stated that because of the inclusion of its technology, KHNP has failed to comply with U.S. export rules that require authorization from the U.S. government before its technology can be shared. A Westinghouse spokesperson added that Westinghouse will reserve its right to challenge the tender in front of the relevant national and international jurisdictions.

Russia's state-owned nuclear power company, Rosatom, is leading the bid to construct Turkey's second nuclear power plant, building on its ongoing work at the Akkuyu plant. This positions Rosatom favorably for the Sinop plant project, amid Turkey's strategic energy collaborations with Moscow despite NATO tensions. Turkey is also negotiating with South Korea for the Sinop project and China and the United States on other nuclear projects, including small modular reactors and conventional plants, as it aims to significantly expand its nuclear capacity by 2050. The United States wants to reduce Turkey's reliance on Russian nuclear energy.

Mali's ruling military junta and Russia’s Rosatom have signed three cooperation deals, including plans for a Russian-designed low-power nuclear power plant in Mali. This agreement is part of Rosatom's broader strategy to expand its influence in Africa, especially among West African countries that have distanced themselves from traditional Western allies. The discussions also covered solar power generation and geological exploration, emphasizing the ongoing collaboration between Mali and Rosatom on various energy projects.

India and Russia are advancing their nuclear energy collaboration, with plans to allocate a site in India for a new VVER-1200 nuclear power plant. During a visit to Moscow, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the strategic importance of nuclear cooperation, discussing the progress of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and potential new projects. The discussions also covered non-energy applications of nuclear technology, further localization of nuclear plant construction in India, and expanding cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle and related technologies.

The 123 agreement between the Philippines and the United States went into effect on July 2, allowing the export of U.S. nuclear technology to the Philippines for peaceful uses. This deal supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s plan to utilize nuclear energy to meet the nation's growing power demands, and work towards its targets of increasing the share of renewable energy to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. The agreement builds on nearly 80 years of peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two countries and aims to enhance bilateral relations and energy security.

Armenia and the United States are advancing discussions on constructing a new nuclear power plant, entering a substantive phase focused on establishing a legal framework. The existing Metsamor plant, which provides 40% of Armenia's electricity, is set for decommissioning by 2036, prompting the search for new nuclear solutions, including possible small modular reactors from the United States. While the United States aims to persuade Armenia to distance itself from Russia, Armenia is still considering Russia, the United States, and South Korea for the building of a new nuclear power plant.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is planning to reintroduce nuclear energy in the country 35 years after the closure of its last nuclear power plant. Environment and energy security minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin told the Financial Times that Rome plans to introduce legislation to enable investments in small modular reactors, adding that nuclear power should account for at least 11% of the country’s total electricity consumption by 2050. Italy built 4 nuclear power stations in the 1960s and 1970s but decided to shut down these facilities following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. In support of this effort, Italy's Edison, French nuclear reactor firm Framatome, and Milan's Politecnico University have formed an alliance to advance nuclear energy research and innovation.

Polish company ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) has signed agreements with North American firms to support the deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) in Poland. The agreements involve Aecon Group Inc, AtkinsRéalis, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. This initiative is part of Poland's strategy to modernize its power grid by shifting from coal to nuclear power, with the first SMR expected to be operational before the end of the decade.

Rosatom director general Alexey Likhachev stated that sanctions against Russia are hampering the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey. Likhachev went on to accuse the United States of “seizing” the money earmarked for the $25 billion nuclear power plant project. The first Akkuyu reactor unit was originally expected to become operational in 2023, but it has been delayed because of difficulties getting equipment from third countries due to sanctions. The U.S. House of Representatives is currently considering legislation that would sanction Rosatom and foreign transactions with Russia, which would likely impact the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project if signed into law.

Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy and representatives from the government, academic faculties, scientific institutes, and energy companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the development of nuclear energy in Serbia. A preliminary study will now be planned to provide an analysis of the available and requirements to help inform the government’s decisions in adopting nuclear energy. The construction of nuclear power plants and other facilities has been forbidden in Serbia since 1989, although the current government is aiming to reverse this ban.

United Arab Emirates official Hamad Alkaabi told Reuters that the Gulf state is considering building a second nuclear power facility in order to meet growing demand for electricity. While the government has yet to budget for the project or decide on the size or the location, Alkaabi said it was possible that a tender could be issued this year. The United Arab Emirates has become a proponent of nuclear power as it seeks to diversify its energy sector, with its inaugural Barakah Nuclear Power Plant entering commercial operation in 2021.

South Africa’s Koeberg nuclear power plant will be allowed to run one of its two units for another 20 years after lengthy deliberations. The 40-year-old operating license of Unit 1 was due to expire this month before the extension, and the government is still assessing Eskom’s application to extend the life of Koeberg Unit 2 by 20 years. Some environmental activists opposed the application during public consultations, citing safety concerns that were raised by the IAEA during an inspection of the plant two years ago.

The European Commission has issued a positive opinion on the technical and nuclear safety aspects of the construction of Units 3 and Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant in Romania. EnergoNuclear, a subsidiary of Nuclearelectrica, notified the European Commission about the planned construction of two Canadian-designed CANDU-6 pressurized heavy water reactors at Cernavoda-3 and 4 in May 2023. Cernavoda-3 is scheduled to start commercial operation in 2030 and Unit 4 the following year.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy submitted its proposal for Great British Nuclear’s small modular reactor (SMR) competition. The proposal supports GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR technology, with GE Hitachi and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) currently working on deploying the first ever BWRX-300 unit in Canada. GE Hitachi is already collaborating with Great Britain company Sheffield Forgemasters on potential SMR deployment and the construction of an SMR component manufacturing facility.

Électricité de France (EDF) has withdrawn its Nuward model from Great British Nuclear’s small modular reactor (SMR) selection contest. An EDF spokesperson told World Nuclear News the company decided to pull out of the competition due to incompatibility between the level of commitment and the time schedule required by Great British Nuclear, as well as the maturity of the Nuward SMR. Last year, Great British Nuclear invited EDF, GE Hitachi, Holtec, NuScale Power, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse to bid for UK government contracts for an SMR power plant.

The Polish Economic Institute is launching a research project to gauge the interest of Polish companies in participating in the country’s first nuclear power plant. The study aims to determine the potential of the Polish industry for the needs of the ongoing nuclear power plant project in Pomerania, as well as formulating solutions that meet the needs of companies related to participation in investing in the power plant and indicating tools necessary to participate in the planned nuclear supply chain. Poland currently has large-scale plans to develop nuclear energy capacity and will be building its first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site.

Brazil is expected to establish a permanent repository for low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste by early 2029, storing waste produced by nuclear power plants, medical facilities, and the food industry. The repository is a key component of the Nuclear and Environmental Technology Centre, which will provide permanent storage for radioactive waste and also house support buildings for operational activities and facilities for research and technological development. Currently, radioactive waste generated by Brazil’s Angra Nuclear Power Plant is stored in nearby warehouses which have the capacity to receive additional material until 2030.

South Korea’s Mokpo National University has opened the world’s first small modular reactor (SMR) Ship Research Institute, aiming to develop a global hub for SMR ship research and education. The new research institute will focus on developing and commercializing SMR ship technology and developing and operating educational programs to train specialized personnel. Starting in 2050, all ships operating at sea will be required to use carbon-free fuels under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention, with nuclear energy being among several options for powering ships.

Reflecting a significant change in policy after the recent coup, the government of Niger informed Canadian company GoviEx that it no longer has rights over the perimeter of the Madaouela mining permit, which is now in the public domain. GoviEx began operations at the Madaouela mine in 2007, and the company responded to the decision by stating it does not follow the withdrawal procedure prescribed under the applicable mining code. This follows another recent cancellation of Orano’s operating permit at the Imouraren uranium mine by Niger’s authorities.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) completed the third round of its discharges of treated wastewater from the shuttered Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the sea. In this round, about 7,800 tons were discharged from a point about 1 kilometer offshore from the plant through an underwater tunnel after being diluted with seawater. Tepco plans four more rounds for the fiscal year, aiming to release 54,600 tons of treated water for the year.

Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill intended to accelerate the growth of nuclear energy in the state of Virginia. S.B. 454 will advance the development, testing, and deployment of small modular reactors (SMR) in Virginia, with some of these SMRs potentially sited at the operational North Anna Nuclear Power Plant. Governor Youngkin has been a consistent supporter of deploying advanced nuclear power facilities in Virginia and turning the state into a leading nuclear innovation hub with the goal of building the first SMR within the next 10 years.

Dominion Energy Inc. is asking nuclear technology companies to submit plans for new reactors at a Virginia power plant amid growing support for using nuclear power to supply a surge in electricity demand. The company announced the request for proposals at an event at its North Anna Nuclear Power Plant in Virginia, requesting developers provide plans for small modular reactors (SMR). Dominion’s North Anna plant is near a growing cluster of power-hungry data centers that are looking for utilities to deliver more electricity.

Exelon, the company that owns Unit 1 at the shuttered Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, is reportedly considering the possibility of reopening the nuclear reactor. Unit 1 closed in 2019 because Exelon said it wasn’t competitive against alternative energy sources at the time, but this has changed with the growing demand for energy coming from the rise of data centers and new technologies. Unit 1 was not affected by the infamous Three Mile Island accident in 1979, and had been licensed to operate until 2034 before its closure.

BWX Technologies (BWXT) signed a cooperation agreement with the Wyoming Energy Authority to evaluate locations for a potential tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel production facility in the state. The 18-month effort will evaluate such areas as potential factory locations, product specifications, facility design and engineering, estimated capital expenditures and operating costs, and supply chain requirements. BWXT is currently the only U.S. company manufacturing TRISO fuel using production-scale equipment at its Specialty Fuel Facility in Virginia, and the company is also negotiating with Wyoming in evaluating options for constructing and deploying microreactors.

Nuclear energy company Oklo announced the successful completion of the first end-to-end demonstration of the key stages of its advanced nuclear fuel recycling process. Supported by a $5 million cost-share award from the Department of Energy’s ONWARDS program, Oklo is collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory to facilitate the deployment of a commercial-scale advanced fuel recycling facility. Oklo’s fuel recycling technology is engineered to extract over 90% of the remaining potential energy from used fuel, which will be utilized in Oklo’s advanced nuclear reactors.

A new nuclear energy startup, The Nuclear Company, told Axios that it has ambitious plans to spur the construction of fleets of new nuclear power plants in the United States. The Nuclear Company aims to build its first fleet that would add up to 6 GW by the mid-2030s. The new venture also aims to serve as a project developer of multiple series of nuclear power plants, working as a matchmaker among utilities, manufacturers, and funders.

Florida state regulators will publish the feasibility of adding nuclear power reactors in the coming months after the issue was included in a wide-ranging energy bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The Florida Public Service Commission has scheduled a September 5 workshop as it begins carrying out a legislative directive to submit a report by April 2025 about the possibility of using advanced nuclear technologies, including the possibility of adding nuclear power at military bases. Nuclear power plants currently generate about 13% of Florida’s electricity, although the state has not built any new nuclear reactors since the 1980s.

Holtec International has joined the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the U.S. Federal Government in filing petitions asking the Supreme Court to reinstate Holtec’s license for a proposed interim storage facility for used fuel to be built in New Mexico. The NRC issued the license in 2023 for Holtec to build and operate the HI-STORE consolidated interim storage facility in New Mexico, but the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals published a decision to vacate the license following a similar ruling against another private interim storage license in Texas. Holtec Senior Vice President Joy Russell stated that the construction of the facility is “a key part of future growth of nuclear energy and a vitally important part of our nation’s energy security.”

Aalo Atomics has prepared a pre-application regulatory engagement plan (REP) with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its Aalo-1 microreactor. Aalo added that the project will initially feature seven independent Aalo-1 reactors with the potential of expanding to an additional seven reactor units. This May, Aalo announced it had completed the conceptual design of the Aalo-1 sodium-cooled microreactor and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Energy to deploy its first microreactor at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

U.S. fusion developer Type One Energy has selected Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRéalis to develop the pre-concept design for its Fusion Pilot Plant. AtkinsRéalis said its United Kingdom fusion team will work alongside U.S. capabilities and expertise to provide multi-disciplinary engineering services, developing the full plant requirements, pre-conceptual facility designs, and a preliminary site layout. In February of this year, Type One Energy announced plans to build its Infinity One reactor at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Bull Run Fossil Plant in Tennessee, with construction beginning as early as 2025.

Researchers at the University of Michigan conducted a study ranking the feasibility of converting 245 operational coal power plants in the United States into advanced nuclear reactors. The study systematically evaluates the potential for coal-to-nuclear energy transitions using the Siting Tool for Advanced Nuclear Development (STAND), which enables users to input socioeconomic factors, safety, and proximity parameters to select development sites. Using the STAND feasibility scores, the RM Schahfer coal plant in Indiana was found to be the most feasible smaller electric capacity site, while the AES Petersburg plant in Indiana was top ranked among the larger capacity sites. The possibility of replacing coal power plants with nuclear reactors is being actively explored in the United States, with advanced reactor companies laying out plans for repurposing coal-fired sites with small modular reactor technology.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published an article and audio brief on how nuclear energy can be used to meet Japan’s growing demand for energy. Much of Japan’s rising demand is fueled by the rapid build-out of data centers which have the potential to bring in billions of dollars for Japan over the next decade. CSIS examines the increasing trend of Japanese policymakers and executives supporting nuclear energy expansion and reactor restarts, the decreasing public opposition to nuclear power, and how quickly Japan could fully restore its nuclear fleet. The article’s authors also argue that Japan’s formulation of its nuclear strategy will be consequential for preserving its industrial competitiveness while also strengthening energy security and advancing decarbonization.

Chatham House published a report arguing that the nuclear energy sector is not properly equipped to confront the threat posed by cyberattacks and needs to do more to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure. Currently, Chatham House states that the sector does not have effective resilience strategies in place and also warns that nuclear power plants in war zones such as Ukraine face increased vulnerability to cyberattacks. Additionally, the adoption of new technologies will increase the likelihood of nuclear facilities becoming targets. Chatham House concludes by stating that the growing deployment of nuclear energy around the world makes the consideration of cybersecurity risks more critical than ever.

The Fusion Industry Association released the 2024 edition of its Global Fusion Industry report documenting the developments in the nuclear fusion industry in the past year. The report found that more than $900 million has been invested in nuclear fusion in the past year, and more than 1,000 jobs have been created in this time span. The survey reports that fusion companies remain optimistic that fusion will provide electricity to the grid by the end of the 2030s. The fourth edition of this report surveyed 45 companies, which suggested that the overall industry has attracted more than $7.1 billion of investment over recent years.

Nuclear Must Be Part of the Solution

Foreign Affairs, July 18

Why Everyone Wants a Piece of Ghana’s Nuclear Energy Sector

Oil Price, July 16

Nuclear Energy Gets a Much-Needed Boost

Bloomberg, July 12

ADVANCE Act Strikes Right Balance for Nuclear Energy Regulation

Harvard Law Review, July 11

Biden Signs a Big Nuclear Bill. Can It Remake the Industry?

E&E News, July 10

A Nuclear Accident Made Three Mile Island Infamous. AI’s Needs May Revive It.

The Washington Post, July 10

€130 Billion Nuclear Dream in Europe Meets Financial Reality

Bloomberg, July 9

Europe’s Nuclear Renaissance Could Strengthen Transatlantic Bonds

Center for European Policy Analysis, July 9

Sanctions on Russian Oil Brought Putin and Modi Together. Now They’re In a Nuclear Embrace.

CNN, July 9

Blackstart (and Advanced Reactors) to the Rescue

The Breakthrough Institute, July 8