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South Korea Launches Standard Design Approval Review for i-SMR

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea is set to initiate a safety review of the standard design approval application for the innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR). This project is part of the small modular reactor research and development program led by the South Korean government. The NSSC stated on August 28 that, at its 13th meeting of 2026 held on August 27, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) reported on the review plan for the i-SMR standard design approval application. KINS had previously conducted a suitability review of the standard design approval application documents submitted in February of this year and determined that the documents met the conditions for entering the safety review phase, thereby establishing a subsequent review plan. The standard design approval system is designed to...

2026-08-28

Construction Advances for Holtec's SMR-300 Test Facility at Idaho National Laboratory

Holtec International recently announced that construction of its HI-TEST test facility, supporting the SMR-300 small modular reactor, is advancing at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), with manufacturing of key test components and preparation for facility installation already underway. The facility simulates the SMR-300 plant at approximately one-third scale and is designed to quantify reactor design and operational performance margins, providing a test basis for potential future power uprates. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), the HI-TEST facility's primary mission is to validate SMR-300 design margins under steady-state and transient conditions, offering physical test data for the plant's power generation capacity, resilience, and operability...

2026-08-28

Finland's Onkalo Spent Fuel Disposal Facility Starts Drilling of First Disposal Hole

On the afternoon of August 26, 2026, Finland's Onkalo spent fuel final disposal facility commenced drilling of its first disposal hole deep in the bedrock at Olkiluoto. Posiva stated that the drilling operation is being carried out at a depth of more than 400 meters underground, with the drill bit beginning to cut into the approximately 1.9-billion-year-old Olkiluoto bedrock. Kimmo Lehtola, Posiva's Operations Construction Manager, explained that a kick-off meeting had been held the day before the operation, focusing on reviewing safety matters, technical specifications, and the detailed drilling plan. On the morning and early afternoon of the drilling day, the team completed final adjustments to the equipment, after which the drilling rig began its work. He noted that the team had previously completed...

2026-08-28

Sweden's Oskarshamn New Nuclear Project Applies for State Aid

NuCore Energi AB, a project company under Fortum, has submitted a state aid application to the Swedish government to initiate consultations on the framework and conditions for a new nuclear power project in Oskarshamn municipality. The project is planned to proceed near the existing Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant, with options covering small modular reactors (SMRs) and large reactors, with a total installed capacity expected to range between 1,200 MW and 3,400 MW. NuCore Energi submitted the state aid application on August 27, 2026. In the photo, from left to right: NuCore Energi CEO Laurent Leveugle and Minister Niklas Wykman. Fortum...

2026-08-28

Russia and Egypt Plan to Cooperate on Construction of Nuclear Medicine Center and Radiopharmaceutical Plant

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, recently stated that Russia and Egypt are expanding cooperation in non-energy nuclear technologies, with one of Egypt's key priorities being the construction of a high-performance nuclear medicine center based on a research reactor. According to reports, the project will adopt a comprehensive approach, including a radiopharmaceutical production plant, isotope production facilities, and modern diagnostic systems based on PET and SPECT technologies. Some diagnostic systems will use Russian equipment. Once completed, the project is expected to conduct up to 30,000 diagnostic examinations annually and provide treatment services for 400 patients. Construction of the medical facility is expected to begin as early as 2027...

2026-08-28

Bristol Myers Squibb to Invest $173 Million in New Radiopharmaceutical Plant in Indiana, USA

Bristol Myers Squibb's RayzeBio will build a new radiopharmaceutical production facility in Whitestown, Indiana, USA, with an investment of $173 million. The project will be located at the Anson Industrial Park in Boone County, with construction planned to begin this year, complementing RayzeBio's existing operational radiopharmaceutical plant in Indianapolis. According to information released by the state of Indiana, the new facility will cover approximately 225,000 square feet. Bristol Myers Squibb expects the two production sites to add 100 new positions by the end of 2029, with annual salaries for new positions expected to exceed $130,000. Bristol Myers Squibb acquired San Diego-based RayzeBio in 2023 for $4.1 billion...

2026-08-28

Egyptian Minister of Electricity Inspects Small Modular Reactor Technology in Russia

On August 27, 2026, Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat visited a small nuclear reactor manufacturing and assembly plant operated by Rosatom during an official visit to Russia. The inspection focused on the latest advancements in small modular reactor-related technologies, industrial application status, and potential cooperation opportunities between the two sides. The Egyptian side stated that such visits align with the country's direction of diversifying energy sources and enhancing the security and sustainability of electricity supply. During the visit, Esmat was briefed on the manufacturing and assembly processes of small reactor components, as well as related safety systems...

2026-08-28

India's Draft Nuclear Regulations May Affect Foreign Reactor Technology Introduction

A draft nuclear regulatory framework in India could introduce new uncertainty to its nuclear power expansion plans. Multiple industry insiders and legal experts believe that the draft's additional approval requirements for imported reactors may push companies toward domestic technology and delay the entry of foreign capital and advanced reactor technology into the Indian market. India passed a new nuclear energy law last year, allowing private enterprises to enter the nuclear power sector, which had long been strictly controlled by the state, and is attempting to expand nuclear power capacity by introducing foreign technology and investment. India plans to increase its nuclear power installed capacity nearly tenfold over the next two decades to 100 gigawatts, with estimated investment needs approaching $210 billion. The target is seen as...

2026-08-28

Fukui Prefecture in Japan Aims to Promote Local Utilization of Nuclear Power

On the 27th, Fukui Prefecture in Japan held a co-creation meeting to exchange views on development measures for areas hosting nuclear power plants. The meeting confirmed a new policy aimed at promoting the local use of electricity generated by nuclear plants to drive related industrial development, including attracting large-scale data centers and other high-power-consuming businesses. Fukui Prefecture has held co-creation meetings for the past five consecutive years, with participants including the Fukui Prefectural Government, local governments in areas within the prefecture hosting nuclear plants, Japan's central government, and representatives of electric power companies. The meeting focused on how to combine the stable power supply and carbon-dioxide-free operation of nuclear plants with regional industrial revitalization...

2026-08-28

Japan's Tokai No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant Seawall Reinforcement Plan Receives Basic Approval

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) held a review meeting on the 27th local time and basically approved the seawall structural modification plan for the Tokai No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant submitted by Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC). The plant is located in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and the relevant seawall is an important component of the safety measures required for restart, with foundation defects having been discovered during construction. According to JAPC's explanation, the modification plan does not remove the underground foundation where defects were found, but instead adds pile foundations around it and uses cement-based materials to reinforce the ground. Regarding this plan, JAPC submitted an assessment of the seawall's seismic and tsunami resistance performance after modification, concluding that the structurally adjusted seawall can still fulfill the functions required of a tsunami protection facility.

2026-08-28

South Korea's Pohang to Build Core Component Factory for Small Modular Reactors

The city of Pohang and North Gyeongsang Province recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Heavy Industries Turbomachinery Co., Ltd. to build a large-scale production plant for eco-friendly turbomachinery and core components for small modular reactors (SMRs) at the fourth comprehensive industrial complex in Pohang's Yeongil Bay, with an investment of approximately 100 billion KRW. Under the agreement, Hyundai Heavy Industries Turbomachinery plans to carry out the project between 2026 and 2029, constructing related production facilities on a 101,128-square-meter site within the complex. Upon completion, the project is expected to create approximately 100 new jobs and boost the local manufacturing sector...

2026-08-28

3D Systems Collaborates with Savannah River National Laboratory to Advance 3D Printing in Nuclear Energy Systems

3D Systems Corporation of the United States announced on August 27 that it has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), under which the two parties will conduct joint research and development on additive manufacturing technology to advance its application in advanced energy production, nuclear energy systems, energy infrastructure resilience, and related mission scenarios. Under the agreement, the two parties will leverage SRNL's Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) to advance work in advanced materials development, equipment upgrades, AI and machine learning-assisted process optimization, manufacturing systems, cybersecurity, and workforce development. Collaboration goals include developing next-generation additive manufacturing materials, real-time process optimization tools, and scalable production solutions...

2026-08-28

South Korean research team evaluates pipe rupture risk in nuclear power plants using probabilistic analysis

Researchers from Seoul National University of Science and Technology in South Korea have recently proposed a sensitivity analysis method based on probabilistic fracture mechanics to evaluate the rupture frequency of main coolant piping systems in nuclear power plants. This method can analyze the impact of uncertainties and modeling assumptions on prediction results, helping engineers distinguish extremely low-probability events from relatively more likely failure scenarios. In nuclear power plants, the main coolant piping system plays a critical role in maintaining structural integrity under normal reactor operating conditions. A pipe rupture could trigger a loss-of-coolant accident, and therefore this system has long been included in the key scope of nuclear power plant safety design and assessment.

2026-08-28

Bruce Power Aims to Generate Over CAD 13.3 Billion in Economic Impact in Canada Over Next 18 Months

Bruce Power recently stated that over the next 18 months, the company expects to generate more than CAD 13.3 billion in economic impact across Canada, with related investments primarily stemming from its nuclear plant operations and life extension programs, supporting businesses and jobs in Ontario and other regions of Canada. Bruce Power stated that since launching the "Canada First" program in 2025, the company has invested over CAD 6.6 billion in Canada between January 2025 and June 2026, and plans to invest an additional CAD 7.7 billion by the end of 2027. The company noted that its spending within Canada accounts for more than 95% of total expenditures. As a nuclear operator located in Bruce County, Ontario...

2026-08-28

South Korean Lawmaker Proposes Special Act on Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Yoo Yong-won, a lawmaker from South Korea's People Power Party (PPP), proposed a draft of the Special Act on the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Project on August 27, aiming to establish a dedicated legal basis for introducing nuclear-powered submarines to South Korea. The South Korean government is currently advancing the nuclear-powered submarine project as a national strategic initiative. At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Yoo stated that the existing Defense Acquisition Program Act and Nuclear Safety Act have limitations in fully reflecting the unique characteristics of military nuclear propulsion systems, making it necessary to enact a special law. The draft proposes establishing a Nuclear-Powered Submarine Strategic Committee under the president's leadership to deliberate on major related matters...

2026-08-28