US Utility Xcel Energy's Nuclear Plant Life Extension Boosts Q2 Earnings Significantly

Xcel Energy, a multi-state regulated electric and gas utility headquartered in Minneapolis, USA, achieved significant earnings growth in the second quarter, primarily driven by reduced depreciation expenses resulting from extended operating lives of its nuclear power plants. The company extended the expected operating lives of its nuclear plants to 2050 and beyond, thereby lowering quarterly depreciation costs and positively impacting its financial performance. Despite a decline in operating revenues, net income still grew by 32% to $586 million, with diluted earnings per share rising from $0.75 to $0.93. The extension of nuclear plant operating lives does not imply an immediate increase in cash flow or power generation...

2026-08-03

Fuse Signs Five-Year Cooperative R&D Agreement with Nevada National Security Sites

U.S. fusion energy company Fuse Energy Technologies Corporation (Fuse) announced on August 2 that it has signed a five-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS) at the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS). MSTS manages and operates NNSS. The agreement establishes a long-term collaboration framework between Fuse and NNSS. The initial research projects will focus on next-generation fusion technology validation, tritium-related capability enhancement, increasing neutron yield from pulsed fusion generators, and U.S. domestic...

2026-08-03

Danube Water Levels Continue to Drop, Putting Pressure on Romania's Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant Operations

Romanian official Sorin Lindasu said on August 1 that if the Danube River water level continues to decline, the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant in Constanța County, southeastern Romania, may only be able to continue operating for 4 to 5 days. To ensure the water level required for continuous plant operation, relevant parties have begun implementing hydraulic engineering works on the Danube. Lindasu stated that the Danube water level is currently dropping at a rate of about 2 to 3 centimeters per day. A flow rate of 1,590 cubic meters per second has been recorded at the Baziaș inlet where the Danube enters Romanian territory, and this figure is expected to continue declining, potentially falling to about 1,450 cubic meters per second by August 7. Under these conditions, Cernavodă...

2026-08-03

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant currently relies on only one external power line for electricity supply

Alexey Likhachev, President of Rosatom, stated that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant currently obtains electricity through only one 330 kV external transmission line—Ferrosplavnaya-1—and that the instability of external power supply remains one of the main safety hazards facing the facility. According to the company's press office, Likhachev noted that the lack of a second operational external transmission line at the Zaporizhzhia NPP increases the risk to the safe operation of the plant's units. Although the plant is in a shutdown state, its safety-critical systems still require a stable power supply to ensure the continued operation of equipment related to nuclear safety...

2026-08-03

Nitrogen Supply Unit at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Resumes Operation After Malfunction

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) reported on August 1 that a reactor nitrogen supply unit at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station malfunctioned that day, but was subsequently repaired and resumed gas supply. The company stated that during the malfunction, no significant fluctuations were observed in hydrogen concentrations inside the reactors of Units 1 to 3 or in surrounding radiation monitoring data, and no risk of hydrogen explosion was confirmed. The reactor containments and pressure vessels of Units 1 to 3 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station require continuous nitrogen injection to suppress hydrogen accumulation resulting from radiolysis of water. If hydrogen concentrations exceed a certain level, the risk of hydrogen explosion may increase. According to TEPCO, at 11:14 a.m. on August 1, a worker...

2026-08-03

Danube at Record Low, Hungary's Paks Nuclear Plant Faces First Full Shutdown in 44 Years

On August 2, Hungarian authorities stated that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant may halt electricity generation due to the Danube River dropping to a historic low. This is the country's only nuclear power plant, with an installed capacity of approximately 2 gigawatts, generating nearly half of Hungary's total electricity output. The Paks Nuclear Power Plant draws water from the Danube for cooling. Due to persistent high temperatures and insufficient rainfall, the Danube's water level has been continuously declining recently. Hungarian water authorities predict that the river, which flows from Germany to the Black Sea, will see further drops in water levels in the coming days. As of 18:37 GMT on August 2, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant's output was only slightly above 10% of its installed capacity. Péter M...

2026-08-03

Adani Group Enters Nuclear Power, India's Energy Landscape May See Transformation

The Adani Group plans to triple its power generation capacity by 2035, becoming the largest private power producer. Currently, feasibility studies at Bina and Nigari are progressing intensively, and the CEO of Adani Power has also hinted at related information. Although no official announcement has been made, the company has clearly stated that it is actively evaluating the relevant possibilities. At present, only two state-owned enterprises in India produce nuclear power: the Nuclear Power Corporation and NTPC Limited. The former plans to develop 30 GW of nuclear capacity, while the latter is also preparing to develop 30 GW. Adani Power has an operating capacity of over 3.2 GW and is currently conducting evaluations...

2026-08-02

Four new units at India's Kudankulam nuclear power plant delayed by three years, cost overrun of 55% to $14.4 billion

The construction cost of four new units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant being built by Russia's Rosatom in India has increased by 55% since 2024 due to delays. Each unit has a capacity of 1 gigawatt, and the updated total construction cost has reached 1.38 trillion Indian rupees (approximately $14.4 billion). Among them, the construction cost of Units 3 and 4 has increased by 73%, while the cost of Units 5 and 6 has risen by 40%. Russia had previously provided India with $4.2 billion in state credit for the construction of Units 3 and 4. Indian officials stated that the reasons for the delays include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, difficulties in the supply of specific materials and equipment, and problems faced by contractors. Despite...

2026-08-02

Nuclear Emergency Seminar Held in Angra dos Reis, Brazil to Strengthen Risk Prevention and Control

On August 1, 2026, the 5th Nuclear Emergency Seminar concluded successfully in Angra dos Reis. Organized by the Civil Defense Department of Rio de Janeiro State, the event brought together public institutions, professionals, and authoritative representatives to strengthen cooperation in nuclear emergency prevention, integration, and response. Participants focused on updating operational procedures, exchanging experiences, and developing strategies oriented toward protecting the public. The seminar placed special emphasis on crisis management procedures, inter-institutional communication, and the improvement of preventive measures, aiming to ensure rapid and effective responses in emergency situations. The event highlighted the importance of coordinated action among federal, state, and municipal governments, while also...

2026-08-02

Romanian Army Deploys on the Danube to Protect Nuclear Power Plant Operations

The Romanian Ministry of National Defense announced that the Romanian Army has been mobilized to protect the operation of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant and conduct hydrographic measurements on the Danube River. The Ministry stated that this measure was taken in response to the current critical situation on the Danube to ensure the safe operation of the nuclear power plant. The military action aims to obtain the technical data required for the construction of a mobile weir that will redirect a portion of the Danube's flow into the Old Danube. Naval forces are conducting measurements at kilometers 345 to 346 of the Danube, in the area where the Bala branch converges, to determine the parameters needed for implementing the weir. Military experts are analyzing the riverbed and water depth, and transmitting the collected data to the relevant administrative authorities. The Ministry emphasized that these measures...

2026-08-02

Japan's Nuclear Plant Renewal Faces Labor Shortage Challenges

Japan is planning to replace its aging nuclear reactors to enhance the nation's energy independence. However, the key issue is that labor shortages are threatening the progress of this effort. According to reports, up to 70% of related companies have reported difficulties in recruiting personnel, placing greater strain on an already tight schedule. The government has approved plans to build up to five new nuclear reactors by 2040, but the human resource bottleneck at the operational level is becoming an increasingly serious problem. The labor shortage not only affects the progress of new projects but also puts pressure on the safe operation and maintenance of existing nuclear power plants. As aging reactors are gradually...

2026-08-02

Illinois Restarts Nuclear Power in Bid to Address Energy Challenges

Illinois is actively exploring nuclear energy to address potential electricity shortages. Governor Pritzker signed an executive order requiring agencies to study adding at least 2 gigawatts of energy supply, enough to power 2 million homes or 20 large data centers. Earlier, in January of this year, the state passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordable Act, lifting a nearly four-decade ban on building new large-scale nuclear plants. This move aims to ensure stability of power supply and affordability of prices, especially amid growing energy demand. Illinois's nuclear development is not without challenges. For a long time, the United States has lacked a solution for safely storing nuclear waste...

2026-08-02

Romania Stands by NuScale SMR Project Amid Growing Controversy

The Romanian government and state-owned nuclear operator Nuclearelectrica have been progressively advancing plans since 2021 to deploy small modular reactors (SMRs) developed by the U.S. company NuScale, with the site located at Doicesti. Following the failure of NuScale's first U.S. project and an increase in cost estimates for the Doicesti project, doubts have emerged over Romania's choice, which would involve six 77 MW SMRs. Earlier this month, Romania's Ministry of Energy—the largest shareholder of Nuclearelectrica—reaffirmed its partnership with NuScale and rejected Nuclearelectrica's request to reassess the supplier selection. Nevertheless, the project still...

2026-08-02

Italy Moves to Approve Advanced Nuclear Legal Framework, Paving Way for Small Modular Reactors

Italy's parliament is expected to approve a bill next week establishing a legal framework for advanced nuclear technologies, covering next-generation nuclear solutions such as small modular reactors (SMRs). If passed, the bill would authorize the government to formulate specific rules within one year on reactor licensing, safety regulation, radioactive waste management, and site selection. Italy's Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, stated that the government's current responsibility is to create the necessary conditions so that entities responsible for future construction decisions can proceed in accordance with the law. In June this year, the Italian Chamber of Deputies...

2026-08-02

KHNP Unveils Research Findings on High-Temperature Steam Electrolysis Demonstration Planning Integrated with Nuclear Power Plants

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) recently participated in the 3rd K-SOC Symposium, hosted by the Korean Ceramic Society and held at OSCO in Cheongju on July 23. During the event, KHNP held a special session on high-temperature steam electrolysis, engaging in discussions with experts from industry, academia, and research institutions on technology development directions and demonstration deployment strategies. The K-SOC Symposium is a major academic event in the field of solid-state ion engineering in South Korea, held every three years, covering topics such as materials, cells, stacks, systems, and processes for solid oxide batteries. At this special session, KHNP presented the preliminary findings of its self-conducted study on the demonstration planning of high-temperature steam electrolysis integrated with nuclear power plants...

2026-08-02

Japan's Chugoku Electric Power swings to loss in FY2026 Q1 as nuclear shutdown raises costs

Japan's Chugoku Electric Power Co. announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter (April-June) of fiscal year 2026 on July 31. During the reporting period, the company's sales increased 4.4% year-on-year to 343.9 billion yen, up 14.3 billion yen from the same period last year, mainly driven by growth in electricity sales volume. Profit performance, however, came under significant pressure. The company posted an operating loss of 5.3 billion yen, an ordinary loss of 3.2 billion yen, and a net loss of 3.7 billion yen for the first quarter, compared with a net profit of 26.8 billion yen in the same period last year, a year-on-year decrease of 30.5 billion yen. This marks the first time since the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 that the company has recorded simultaneous losses in operating profit, ordinary profit, and net profit over a four-year period. The company stated...

2026-08-02

Wachtebeke Municipal Council Reintroduces Nuclear Power Plant Motion

The municipal council of Wachtebeke, Belgium, has once again seen a motion regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant in Paulina Polder, but this time, unlike before, the motion has gained the support of the far-right PVV party. Previously, the plan had been highly controversial, with local residents and environmental organizations strongly opposing the construction of a new nuclear power plant in this sensitive wetland area. They fear irreversible environmental impacts and question the necessity of building new nuclear plants during the energy transition. The introduction of this motion marks a further strengthening of opposition to the project. The PVV's support increases the likelihood of the motion passing and places greater pressure on local authorities. More...

2026-08-01

Six Polish companies enter final stage of supplier qualification for Westinghouse AP1000 first reactor

Poland's Mostostal Kielce, along with five other Polish companies, has entered the final stage of qualification jointly organized by Westinghouse and Polish Nuclear Power Company (PEJ), with the potential to participate in the construction of Poland's first nuclear power plant. The plant will be located in the Choczewo municipality and will use AP1000 technology. The six companies entering the final stage include Mostostal Kielce, FAMAK, Ferrum Welded Structures Plant, Mostostal Siedlce, Mostostal Kraków, and Energomontaż-Północ Gdynia. In the final round, they will produce structural mock-ups to verify compliance with ASME NQA-1, the international quality standard for the nuclear sector. Prior to this...

2026-08-01

Units 3 and 4 of Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant to Undergo Joint Maintenance of Shared Systems

Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant staff will initiate a planned extended outage for Unit 4 on the evening of August 1, while Unit 3 will remain in its outage state. Both units will be offline simultaneously in August, and the plant will use this window to conduct comprehensive inspections, maintenance, and modernization of the shared facilities of Units 3 and 4. Bohdan Zronek, member of the Board of Directors of ČEZ Group and head of the nuclear energy division, stated that the simultaneous shutdown of Units 3 and 4 at Dukovany will place the plant under an intensive work schedule over the coming weeks. Experts from ČEZ and its suppliers will handle hundreds of tasks, and the effectiveness of the outage work depends on precise coordination across all stages. According to...

2026-08-01

Portuguese Parliament Advised to Assess Feasibility of Small Modular Reactors in the Country

On July 30, the Portuguese Parliament received a draft resolution recommending that the government adopt a pro-nuclear stance and conduct an assessment of the feasibility of using small modular reactors in the country. The draft emphasizes that, against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, successive wars in the Middle East, and the increasing fragility of international supply routes, energy security is no longer merely an economic or environmental issue but a core element of national sovereignty and strategic autonomy. Portugal should not ideologically exclude any low-carbon technology without objective research. The draft resolution points out that Portugal's current energy policy should balance supply security, economic competitiveness, consumer protection, and emission reduction goals, without preemptively rejecting any technology that could contribute to these...

2026-08-01

Vietnam's National Assembly Committee on Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs officially reviews approval contents related to Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant

On the morning of July 31, the National Assembly's Committee for Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs of Vietnam officially commenced the review of approval contents related to the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant. At the plenary session held at the National Assembly office building, the Committee's Standing Board convened its second formal review meeting to approve contents related to the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant. The meeting was chaired by Le Tan Toi, member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Committee for Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs, with Vu Hai Ha, member of the Party Central Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Committee for Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs, responsible for the organization and coordination of the meeting. At the meeting, representatives from the Office of the President submitted relevant reports, and leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade also delivered presentations. Participants...

2026-08-01