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Finland's Olkiluoto 3 unit reduces power output due to main coolant pump fault

Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) said on August 17 that Unit 3 of the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant (OL3) will continue to operate at a stable power output of approximately 1,300 MW, about 84% of full capacity, for the coming weeks due to technical faults in two main coolant pumps in the nuclear island. The unit's rated generating capacity is approximately 1,600 MW. TVO stated that the faults were discovered during this summer. Since then, the unit has reduced its output power and investigations have been conducted into the causes of the faults and corrective measures. Under the latest arrangement, OL3 will continue operating at a reduced power level to monitor the effectiveness of corrective actions until the unit begins its scheduled annual outage on September 10, 2026. TVO...

2026-08-18

Rostov NPP Transfers New Specialized Firefighting Vehicle to Fire Department

On August 17, local time, the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant handed over a new specialized firefighting vehicle to the 9th Special Department responsible for fire protection at the plant site. The vehicle was delivered as donated equipment to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 72nd Special Directorate of the Federal Fire Service of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry. This directorate is tasked with fire protection for Russian nuclear power plants. The professional firefighting force at the Rostov NPP has been on duty at the plant site since June 1984. At that time, the fire brigade was equipped with only four fire engines. Over the years, the relevant firefighting force has been outfitted with modern vehicles, specialized equipment, and communications gear for fire protection and emergency response at nuclear power plant facilities. The 9th Special Department...

2026-08-18

China National Nuclear Power Deeply Studies and Practices the Ecological Environment Code, Undertaking the Historic Mission of Green and Low-Carbon Energy Transition

The Ecological Environment Code of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the Ecological Environment Code) officially came into effect on August 15, 2026. The Ecological Environment Code is an important achievement in implementing Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization and Xi Jinping's Thought on the Rule of Law. It is the second law in China named after a "Code" following the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China, providing solid legal safeguards and fundamental legal guidance for the construction of a Beautiful China. China National Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as China National Nuclear Power), as a main force in China's nuclear energy development and an important force in achieving the "dual carbon" goals, deeply implements the Ecological Environment Code, practices the concept of green development, contributes safe and clean energy, and empowers the construction of a Beautiful China...

2026-08-18

Safety measure costs after Japan's nuclear plant accident rise to at least 6.606 trillion yen

A survey of 11 Japanese electric power companies shows that the total cost of safety measures required for nuclear plants to meet new regulatory standards following the Fukushima Daiichi accident has reached at least 6.606 trillion yen. Affected by rising prices, this figure has increased slightly from the previous year. About half of the surveyed companies said that rising costs of materials, equipment, and construction have pushed up related expenses, and the total may continue to rise in the future. After the Fukushima Daiichi accident, Japan implemented new nuclear regulatory standards requiring plants to strengthen earthquake and tsunami protection and improve severe accident response measures. Related costs mainly include seawalls, emergency power supplies, filtered venting equipment, and...

2026-08-18

Multiple regions in Japan demand nuclear power operators strengthen safety management and information disclosure

On August 17, Keisuke Yokoo, the new chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), visited the Niigata Prefectural Government and met with Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi. Yokoo assumed his post in June, becoming the first chairman of TEPCO to come from a financial institution. The meeting is seen as an arrangement for the new TEPCO management, following its official launch, to communicate with local governments on nuclear safety and trust rebuilding. Yokoo stated that, as the party responsible for the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, TEPCO will always bear in mind that there is no end to safety and will continuously improve the safety level of its nuclear power plants. He also expressed his commitment to ensuring the safe operation of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. Hanazumi said at the meeting...

2026-08-18

Russia to Develop General Safety Rules for Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion Facilities

The Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia (Rostekhnadzor) has completed the development of the draft federal norms and rules in the field of atomic energy use, "General Provisions for Ensuring the Safety of Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion Facilities," and has been soliciting comments and suggestions on the results of the draft review since August 17, 2026, with a feedback deadline of September 17, 2026. According to the draft, the document applies to controlled thermonuclear fusion facilities equipped with thermonuclear reactors or thermonuclear devices. The scope of application includes thermonuclear devices with a neutron production intensity exceeding 10²⁰ neutrons per second, or, in pulsed operation with a single pulse of less than 1 second, exceeding 10²⁰ neutrons per pulse, as well as...

2026-08-17

Vietnam Electricity Advances Preparatory Work for Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is advancing preparatory work for the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project, focusing on supporting measures in legal framework, financial arrangements, project management, human resource development, and public communication. The project is regarded as Vietnam's first nuclear power plant project and holds significant importance for ensuring energy security, promoting energy structure transition, and reducing carbon emissions. During the 7th National Nuclear Regulatory Conference, EVN Deputy General Director Nguyen Thai Anh stated that the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project must meet the highest technical, engineering, and safety requirements currently applicable in Vietnam. In the preparatory phase, EVN is focusing on addressing three categories of challenges while simultaneously advancing five groups of solutions to ensure the project proceeds in accordance with...

2026-08-17

Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu Visits Zhejiang to Survey Ecological Environmental Protection and Nuclear Power Safety Regulation

From August 14 to 15, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu visited Lishui, Taizhou, and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province to survey ecological environmental protection efforts. During his tenure in Zhejiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Lishui multiple times and expressed high expectations for strengthening ecological environmental protection. Huang Runqiu visited Liandu District in Lishui to inspect on-site the outcomes of Oujiang River ecological environment governance, rural living environment improvement, and ecological protection efforts, and also toured the Ecological Product Value Realization Mechanism (Lishui) Exhibition Hall to gain in-depth understanding of local practical experience in advancing ecological product value accounting and exploring the "Two Mountains" transformation pathway. He stated that it is essential to thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, firmly establish and practice the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, adhere to ecological priority and green development, and effectively protect this beautiful landscape. It is necessary to fully leverage the role of demonstration models, deepen the application of the "Thousand Villages Demonstration, Ten Thousand Villages Improvement" experience, continuously improve the rural living environment, develop distinctive industries such as "ecology + cultural tourism" tailored to local conditions, and support rural ecological revitalization. It is also important to summarize and promote the "Two Mountains" transformation model, actively expand channels for realizing ecological product value, and continuously convert ecological advantages into development advantages. Actively, safely, and in an orderly manner developing nuclear power is an important measure for building a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system and for achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Huang Runqiu visited the Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in Taizhou, going deep into the main control room of the operating unit and the nuclear island building of the unit under construction to learn in detail about the operation status and construction progress of the nuclear power units, and to express condolences to and meet with the on-site supervision personnel of the East China Regional Office of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision. He emphasized the need to uphold the rational, coordinated, and balanced nuclear safety philosophy, place the assurance of nuclear safety at the highest priority, strengthen whole-process supervision of nuclear power plants, and consolidate the primary responsibility for nuclear safety. It is necessary to urge enterprises to strictly implement the requirements of nuclear safety regulations and standards, effectively ensure the safe operation of nuclear power units and controlled construction quality, enhance equipment stability and reliability, strengthen radiation environment monitoring at nuclear power plants, and safeguard the high-quality development of the nuclear power industry with high-level safety. Ensuring the construction quality of nuclear power units is crucial to improving the safety level of nuclear power plants. Huang Runqiu visited the nuclear island foundation area of the Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant in Ningbo to survey the construction progress and engaged in on-site exchanges with nuclear safety supervision personnel. He emphasized the need to implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches and instructions on nuclear safety work, always adhere to the principles of safety first and quality first, effectively operate the nuclear safety responsibility system and quality management system, and continuously strengthen experience feedback and safety improvements. It is necessary to continuously advance the development of nuclear safety culture, strengthen bottom-line thinking and extreme-scenario thinking, enhance natural disaster monitoring, early warning, and preventive response, and effectively build premium and safe projects to strongly support the sustainable development of China's nuclear power industry and its "going global" strategy. Relevant officials from Zhejiang Province participated in the survey. Principal officials from relevant departments and bureaus of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment participated in the survey. Officials from the Department of Ecology and Environment of Zhejiang Province and others participated in the survey.

2026-08-17

Repeated Power Outages at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Raise Concerns over Equipment Aging and Safety Risks

August 13 news, the issue of repeated interruptions to the external power supply at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continues to draw attention. Relevant data shows that since February 2022, the plant has experienced 26 power outages, 14 of which occurred in the first 8 months of 2026. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Once the external power supply is interrupted, the plant must switch to backup power to maintain the operation of essential safety systems. Frequent switching of power supply modes not only increases operational pressure but also poses additional risks to nuclear safety and radiation safety. Relevant parties have stated that signs of equipment aging at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are intensifying, with the condition of diesel generator sets being particularly concerning. The backup diesel generator sets are generally...

2026-08-15

Kazakhstan's National Nuclear Center Introduces Computer Modeling Methods for Reactor Safety

The National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC RK) recently presented its modern computer modeling methods used in the safety justification of reactor facilities. Arthur Suraev, a leading researcher at the laboratory of the branch Institute of Atomic Energy, stated that high-precision computational models have become an important tool for assessing reactor normal operation, design-basis accidents, and beyond-design-basis accident conditions. Suraev noted that computer modeling enables preliminary evaluation of neutron physics, thermal-hydraulic, and structural response processes inside a reactor before conducting complex and expensive experiments. By analyzing interrelated physical processes,...

2026-08-16

Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, Issues Plan for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy

The People's Committee of Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, recently issued Plan No. 299/KH-UBND, deploying the implementation of the province's strategy for the peaceful use of atomic energy through 2035, with a vision toward 2050. Signed by Mai Son, Standing Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee, the plan aims to implement national strategic tasks in line with local conditions, enhance management efficiency in the atomic energy sector, and promote atomic energy in serving socioeconomic development while ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security. Under the plan, Bac Ninh Province will focus on advancing research and applications of radiation technology and radioisotopes in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, natural resources and environment, and industry, while strengthening the safety management of radiation sources. Relevant applications will serve...

2026-08-15

The Ecological Environment Code of the People's Republic of China Officially Takes Effect Today

On August 15, 2026, coinciding with the fourth National Ecology Day, the Ecological Environment Code of the People's Republic of China officially took effect. The promulgation and implementation of this Code marks the formal entry of China's ecological environment protection legal system into a new stage of codification, representing a major milestone in the rule of law for advancing ecological civilization construction and the building of a Beautiful China. The Code's promulgation: A historic leap in the rule of law for ecological civilization construction. The Ecological Environment Code of the People's Republic of China is the second foundational law named as a "Code" after the Civil Code. The Code systematically integrates existing effective laws and regulations in areas including environmental protection, air pollution prevention and control, water pollution prevention and control, soil pollution prevention and control, solid waste pollution prevention and control, radioactive pollution prevention and control, and noise pollution prevention and control. It abolishes 10 separate laws, incorporates the essential provisions of more than 20 laws into the Code system, and makes comprehensive provisions on basic principles of ecological environment protection, supervision and management systems, pollution prevention and control, ecological protection and restoration, green and low-carbon development, and climate change response, establishing a complete and logically rigorous legal norm system. The Code also makes comprehensive provisions on radioactive pollution prevention and control...

2026-08-15

Morocco Conducts 18 Expert Missions with IAEA in 2025, Civil Nuclear Cooperation Expands to African Level

Morocco's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is shifting from mere technical assistance to more active participation in regional capacity building. In 2025, Moroccan experts completed 18 international expert missions under the IAEA Technical Cooperation framework, with the agency's assistance to Morocco reaching €1.17 million in the same year. This indicates that Morocco has established a certain foundation in nuclear science, nuclear technology applications, and regulatory capabilities, and is beginning to play a more significant role in Africa's nuclear technology cooperation network. The National Center for Energy, Nuclear Science and Nuclear Technology in Rabat was granted the status of IAEA Collaborating Centre in September 2024, with a cooperation cycle covering 2025 to...

2026-08-15

Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety to Host First Advanced Reactor Safety Technology Symposium

The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) announced that it will host the 1st Symposium on Advanced Reactor Safety Technology (SARST 2026) on September 1-2, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom on the first floor of the Commodore Hotel Busan. The event aims to facilitate exchanges on domestic and international advanced reactor technology trends and safety regulation issues, promoting technical communication and cooperation among regulatory bodies, developers, and research institutions. As the inaugural symposium, SARST is planned to be held annually thereafter. This year's conference will be divided into a plenary session and two technical sessions, covering topics such as the development of regulatory frameworks for advanced reactors, regulatory research progress, responses to standard design certification for innovative small modular reactors (i-SMR), and verification plans for related design features, among other subjects.

2026-08-16

IAEA "Lise Meitner Programme" Delegation Visits Russia's Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Lise Meitner Programme organized its first visit to Russia, with 14 female representatives from the nuclear field of 14 countries recently visiting the Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant (Kalinin NPP) to learn about plant operations, safety management, and personnel training. The Russian itinerary was organized by the Rosatom Technical Academy. The delegation toured the Kalinin NPP industrial site, the turbine halls of the units, and the main control room of Unit 4. Evgeny Solovyov, Deputy Chief Engineer for Safety and Reliability at Kalinin NPP, introduced the visitors to...

2026-08-16