Radiation detector malfunction at Unit 2 of Japan's Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant causes hundreds of abnormal reading fluctuations

Tohoku Electric Power Company of Japan announced on August 6 that a detection equipment malfunction occurred at Unit 2 of the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant, located in Onagawa Town and Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. The issue involved detectors used to measure radiation levels in the main steam lines, which transport steam generated by the reactor to the turbine. Among the four detectors, one displayed readings in the central control room that surged and dropped sharply, repeating hundreds of times. Based on publicly available information, Tohoku Electric has classified this incident as a detector malfunction rather than an abnormal release of radioactive materials or a sudden change in reactor operating conditions. The company stated that the situation does not constitute a problem under security regulations, meaning that from...

2026-08-07

U.S. Environmental Groups Sue, Claiming Turkey Point Nuclear Plant License Renewal Requires Additional Environmental Review

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) faces a legal challenge over its renewal of operating licenses for Units 3 and 4 at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant near Miami, Florida. Florida environmental group Miami Waterkeeper Inc. has petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, arguing that the agency failed to follow proper procedures during the license renewal process and overlooked significant environmental concerns. At the heart of the lawsuit is Miami Waterkeeper's assertion that the NRC should not have proceeded with the license renewal after denying the group's hearing request. The organization had participated in the related administrative proceedings and raised objections concerning the plant's environmental impact review, but the NRC concluded those proceedings in March of this year...

2026-08-07

US Tennessee Valley Authority Accelerates Negotiations to Deploy Small Modular Reactors at Alabama Bellefonte Site

The US Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) confirmed it is in active negotiations with industry partners to develop a new nuclear power generation project at the long-idle Bellefonte Nuclear Plant site in North Alabama. TVA Interim CEO Mike Skaggs stated at a nuclear industry conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, that the negotiations are progressing at a rapid pace, with a focus on partnering with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy to build small modular reactors at Bellefonte in Alabama and the Clinch River nuclear site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. TVA emphasized in a statement that no final investment or construction decisions have been made yet, but multiple potential sites are being evaluated...

2026-08-07

Curio, NuScale and Framatome Sign MOU to Advance Next-Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Solutions

Curio, NuScale Power and Framatome Inc. recently signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to jointly evaluate integrated nuclear fuel solutions aimed at strengthening the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain and supporting the international nuclear energy market and the deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies. Under the agreement, the three parties will conduct evaluations centered on Curio's proprietary NuCycle recycling technology, focusing on the conversion pathways of recyclable nuclear materials from "source to product" and from "source to fuel." The collaboration also encompasses future engineering coordination, fuel development, fuel qualification, manufacturing and commercialization, as well as advancing the integration of nuclear supply chain-related segments...

2026-08-07

Three U.S. Nuclear Energy Companies Explore Manufacturing Next-Generation Reactor Fuel from Recycled Nuclear Materials

U.S. nuclear energy companies Curio, NuScale Power, and Framatome have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate the feasibility of converting recycled nuclear materials into next-generation reactor fuel and related products. The tri-party collaboration is not focused on immediate commercial production, but rather on research into technical feasibility, fuel development, manufacturing capabilities, supply chain integration, and future commercial deployment, seeking to connect spent fuel recycling, fuel fabrication, and advanced reactor applications into a more complete industrial chain. Under this collaboration, Curio will provide its NuCycle nuclear fuel recycling technology, aiming to recover reusable strategic nuclear materials from spent fuel, with claims of reducing residual waste volume by up to 97%.

2026-08-07

US DOE Approves Nuclear Safety Design Agreement for Deep Fission Underground SMR

Deep Fission, a US advanced nuclear energy company, announced on August 6 that the US Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement (NSDA) for its Gravity reactor. The company stated that this milestone means its reactor design meets the requirements for continued advancement under the DOE's Reactor Pilot Program. Deep Fission is developing a small modular pressurized water reactor concept, with plans to place the reactor in a borehole approximately 1 mile, or about 1.6 kilometers, underground. The approved Nuclear Safety Design Agreement will serve as the safety framework for subsequent reactor development work. According to the company's plans, the project will proceed into the DOE authorization process...

2026-08-07

Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization Publishes Final Design for Centre of Expertise in Ontario

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has published the final design for its Centre of Expertise, to be located in the Township of Ignace, Ontario. Ignace is one of the host communities for Canada's deep geological repository project for used nuclear fuel. With an investment of approximately CAD 50 million and expected to open in 2028, the centre is positioned as a key platform supporting the construction and long-term operation of the repository. According to the NWMO, the Centre of Expertise design incorporates input from the local community and will feature flexible multi-purpose spaces, educational areas, public viewing galleries, interactive exhibits, and learning zones, while emphasizing integration with the natural environment and a location that facilitates connection to community amenities...

2026-08-07

Drought Lowers Danube Water Levels, Romania Plans to Restrict Industrial Power Use if Necessary

Romania's Acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said after a cabinet meeting on August 6 that the government has developed a comprehensive risk prevention plan covering multiple risk scenarios, including earthquakes, public health events, and the current drought, with corresponding response measures clearly defined. Under the plan, Romania will establish a national operations center in the energy sector. Bolojan stated that the government will approve on August 7 measures by Transelectrica to take action when necessary: with 24 hours' prior notice, certain industrial users may be disconnected from the national grid. He also emphasized that power supply to ordinary citizens, apartments, and residential users will not be...

2026-08-07

X-Energy and Centrus Sign HALEU Supply Agreement, Accelerating U.S. Advanced Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain

X-Energy and Centrus Energy have signed a low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium supply agreement, marking a more concrete commercialization phase in fuel assurance for U.S. advanced nuclear reactors. Under the agreement, Centrus will provide uranium enrichment services at its American Centrifuge Plant in Pike County, Ohio, with the HALEU to be supplied to X-Energy's fuel subsidiary TRISO-X for the production of TRISO-coated particle fuel at its Oak Ridge, Tennessee fuel fabrication facility, serving the Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled small modular reactor. The significance of this agreement lies not only in the supply itself but also in its phased advance payment arrangement. X-Energy will support Centrus through advance payments...

2026-08-07

Türkiye plans to commission subsequent Akkuyu nuclear power plant units at one-year intervals

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on August 6 that Türkiye plans to commission subsequent units of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) at one-year intervals after the first unit goes into operation. Bayraktar stated that Unit 1 of the Akkuyu NPP is scheduled to begin generating electricity by the end of the year, with work on the first reactor's commissioning currently progressing at full speed. According to Türkiye's plan, after Unit 1 enters service, the remaining units will successively enter the commissioning phase. The Akkuyu NPP is Türkiye's first nuclear power plant, constructed by Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom). The project plans four units, all using Russia-designed Generation III+...

2026-08-07

KHNP's Comprehensive Nuclear Power Plant Maintenance Qualification System Recognized by South Korean Government

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced on August 7 that its comprehensive nuclear power plant maintenance qualification system has received government recognition from the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, an affiliate of South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor. The system is primarily designed for nuclear power plant maintenance positions, aiming to enhance the professional knowledge and on-site technical capabilities of practitioners. Government recognition refers to the formal confirmation by the government of a qualification certification system used within a company to improve employee skills. KHNP believes this signifies that the objectivity and credibility of its qualification assessments have been recognized at the national level, contributing to...

2026-08-07

Unit 2 of Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant Resumes Grid Connection

According to the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 2 of the station was reconnected to the grid on August 4. The plant stated that after completing diagnostic testing of the electrical equipment of Unit 2, the unit was put into operation and reached rated operating parameters. Previously, Unit 2 of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant was disconnected from the grid at the end of July.

2026-08-07

IAEA Publishes Report on Aging Management of Spent Fuel Dry Storage Systems

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published the findings of a decade-long study on aging management of spent fuel dry storage systems. According to IAEA estimates, by the end of 2024, spent fuel discharged from nuclear power plants worldwide had exceeded 400,000 tonnes of heavy metal (tHM). Of this, 106,000 tHM is in dry storage, a long-term storage method that is becoming increasingly common compared with wet storage. Most IAEA member states are still decades away from commissioning permanent spent fuel repositories, which means dry storage systems will likely need to continue operating safely beyond their design lifetimes. Wet storage has been in operation for decades, and the IAEA states that aging management of such facilities is generally well understood. Utilities choose dry storage for its passive safety features, and many dry storage facilities have already received license extensions. The IAEA expects demand for dry storage to continue growing, with service periods extending well beyond the original 20-to-40-year licensing terms, potentially exceeding 120 years. Aging management programs (AMPs) are therefore needed to verify continued safe operation.

2026-08-06

IAEA Director General to Inspect Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant

Preparations are in the final stages for IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's first inspection of Tokyo Electric Power Company's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, expected to take place on August 18. Grossi has previously stated that there are "no obstacles to a swift restart," signaling a positive attitude toward the plant's reactivation. This inspection suggests that discussions surrounding the restart may accelerate. However, it is worth noting that local residents still harbor concerns, adopting a cautiously optimistic outlook on future developments. This marks Grossi's first visit to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, making it a significant event. Against the backdrop of growing attention to nuclear safety, the IAEA's...

2026-08-06

Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Conducts Safety Inspection at Hanul Nuclear Power Plant

Amid the ongoing heatwave, Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission is closely monitoring safety inspections at domestic nuclear power plants. On August 6, Commission Chairman Choi Won-ho visited the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, for an on-site inspection. The primary purpose of this inspection was to verify whether the plant's safety systems can operate properly under continuously rising seawater temperatures. As rising seawater temperature is a factor that directly affects the cooling system, the Hanul plant conducted detailed checks on heat exchanger performance and thermometer conditions. Chairman Choi also held prior discussions via video conference with relevant nuclear agencies on response measures to high temperatures. During the subsequent on-site inspection, he reviewed...

2026-08-06

Yeonggwang Fire Station in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, visited Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant to strengthen the disaster response coordination system.

On August 6, Lee Min-seok, Chief of Yeonggwang Fire Station in South Jeolla Province, led a team of 10 commanders and working-level personnel, including the head of the Prevention Safety Division and the captain of the Field Response Unit, to visit the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, a Class A national critical facility, for an on-site inspection and special check aimed at establishing a rapid and effective initial response system in the event of a disaster. The visit placed particular emphasis on the unique characteristics of nuclear power facilities, with the goal of consolidating the coordination system with KHNP's self-defense fire brigade and enhancing the disaster response capabilities of field commanders. At the site, the fire station confirmed the status of major fire protection facilities and firefighting equipment at the nuclear power plant, inspected access routes and fire water supply facilities for fire and disaster situations, toured major power generation facilities, and reviewed disaster response routes. Discussions were also held on the linked response system and cooperation plans with KHNP's self-defense fire brigade.

2026-08-06

Final Voyage Completed for Rebar Cage Sea Transport to Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station

This summer, the cargo vessel Anfield Peak departed from the Port of Bristol in the UK, heading to Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station in Somerset. This marked the vessel's final voyage for the related transport mission. Previously, it had made over 100 round trips between the two locations, delivering factory-prefabricated rebar cages to the nuclear construction site. These rebar cages are large in volume and high in density, serving as critical foundational components in civil engineering construction. Under traditional practices, such rebar cages are typically prefabricated on-site before concrete pouring. The Hinkley Point C project, however, has shifted part of the rebar cage prefabrication process to a factory in Bristol, with the cages then transported by sea to the site for installation...

2026-08-06

United States to Host IAEA ATLAS Initiative Ministerial Launch

The United States will host the ministerial launch of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Atoms for Transport Licensing and Applications at Sea (ATLAS) Initiative in Washington, D.C., on August 26-27, 2026. The event will bring together ministers, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss topics related to the safe and reliable application of nuclear technology in the maritime domain. The ATLAS Initiative aims to establish an international framework to harmonize legal and regulatory issues facing maritime nuclear energy applications and to support the deployment of related civilian nuclear technologies. Building on the IAEA's experience in nuclear safety, nuclear security, and safeguards, the Initiative emphasizes technology neutrality and places safety, security, and non-proliferation requirements as the foundation for advancing maritime nuclear applications...

2026-08-06

Argentina's nuclear power generates 4.45 million kWh in half a year, accounting for over 7% of national electricity and meeting the residential electricity needs of 6 million people

Operating data from Nucleoeléctrica Argentina for the first half of 2026 shows that the Atucha 2 and Embalse nuclear power plants generated a combined 4,450,355 kWh, accounting for over 7% of the country's total electricity generation during the period and covering 13% of national residential electricity demand. Notably, although Atucha 1 is temporarily out of service due to a life extension project, the nuclear plants are still able to supply electricity to approximately 6 million people. In addition to its operational breakthroughs, Nucleoeléctrica Argentina is also actively expanding its international business. The company has formally established a new business unit aimed at...

2026-08-06

Rwandan Delegation Visits the Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety in Russia

On August 4, 2026, a delegation from the Republic of Rwanda visited the Federal Budgetary Institution "Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety" (FBU STC NRS) during its visit to the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor). The delegation was led by Claude Nkusi, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). At the beginning of the meeting, Alexander Khamaza, Director of the Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, delivered a welcome speech and introduced the Center's main activities in providing scientific and technical support to Rostekhnadzor. During the visit, the Rwandan delegation also learned about the...

2026-08-06

"Academician Lomonosov" Floating Nuclear Power Plant Passes Two-Week Audit by International Experts, with Significantly Fewer Findings Compared to 2022

An international team of inspectors at the Arctic port of Pevek conducted a two-week safety assessment of the Akademik Lomonosov, the world's only operating floating nuclear power plant. The experts observed daily operations and studied documentation in key areas. The audit focused on management organization, engineering support, maintenance and repair, radiation protection, and preparedness for various emergency scenarios. The final report shows a significant reduction in the number of findings compared to inspections prior to 2022. This is attributed to the professionalism of management and staff, who followed domestic and international best practices, thereby achieving a high level of safety and operational culture. The plant's nuclear...

2026-08-06