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Two UK nuclear companies sign memorandum of understanding to jointly develop nuclear microreactor

Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) and Cambridge Atomworks have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which the two companies will engage in deep collaboration on a UK-built nuclear microreactor. Cambridge Atomworks is an ambitious and vibrant nuclear engineering startup whose core goal is to build a nuclear microreactor in the UK for off-grid applications. The signing of this memorandum of understanding marks that the two companies will jointly explore how to maximize CVE's deep expertise in electron beam welding, including the company's Ebflow technology, which has been proven to significantly accelerate the production process of key nuclear power components such as reactor vessels...

2026-09-18

Deep Fission Discloses Safety Design Agreement for Kansas Nuclear Pilot Project

Deep Fission, the company building a nuclear reactor one mile underground in Parsons, Kansas, made its federally approved safety report public on Monday. The U.S. Department of Energy approved the company's safety design for its Gravity nuclear reactor in July of this year. A press release stated that the company publicly released the report, with only a very small number of details involving safety privacy redacted. Liz Muller, co-founder and CEO of Deep Fission, said in the press release that the company disclosed the complete Nuclear Safety Design Agreement because they believe the public has the right to see the true safety...

2026-09-18

The SM-1 Nuclear Power Plant at Fort Belvoir, United States, Has Completed All On-Site Decommissioning and Dismantlement Work

The Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced that the SM-1 nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, has completed all on-site decommissioning and dismantlement work. On September 9, 2026, at the closing ceremony of the SM-1 nuclear power plant decommissioning and dismantlement project held at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, leaders from the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Fort Belvoir Garrison, and the project contractor posed for a photo with the original 1957 building sign of the SM-1 nuclear power plant. The ceremony marked the successful completion of all on-site work related to the decommissioning and dismantlement of the nuclear power plant. The U.S. Army's SM-1 (Stationary Medium Power Reactor Prototype No. 1) is a 2-megawatt experimental small...

2026-09-17

UK and Cook Islands Sign International Legal Instruments, Reaffirming Commitment to International Nuclear Cooperation

At the annual treaty signing event held during the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, the United Kingdom and the Cook Islands each deposited relevant legal instruments, demonstrating their strong commitment to the international legal framework supporting the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that by acceding to such treaties, contracting parties not only assume important national responsibilities but also signal to the international community their dedication to building a solid legal framework to ensure the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technology. During the event, the United Kingdom deposited the ratification of the Amendment to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage...

2026-09-17

Indonesia is accelerating its nuclear energy development plan

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that, with the support of the IAEA, Indonesia is accelerating its nuclear energy development plan, including small modular reactors (SMRs). Grossi met with Arif Satria, Head of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), during the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna. The two sides reviewed existing cooperation projects and discussed the agency's technical support following Indonesia's recent earthquake, including the application of non-destructive testing technology and isotope hydrology technology...

2026-09-17

Rwanda Plans to Introduce Nuclear Technology to Boost Agricultural Production and Address Climate Change

Armand Zingiro, Minister of State in Rwanda's Ministry of Infrastructure, stated at the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held in Vienna that the government is exploring the use of nuclear and isotope technologies to improve agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and enhance capacity to address climate change. The conference was held from September 14 to 18, and Zingiro led the Rwandan delegation to attend the meeting. Zingiro pointed out that Rwanda fully recognizes the enormous potential of nuclear and isotope technologies in the fields of agriculture and food security. The application of nuclear technology in agriculture is mainly reflected in improving crop yields, controlling...

2026-09-17

Oman Reaffirms Cooperation Commitment at IAEA General Conference, Promotes Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology

The Sultanate of Oman delivered a statement at the 70th Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference held in Vienna, Austria, expressing appreciation for the work of the IAEA Secretariat and reaffirming its continued close cooperation with the Agency and its Member States to achieve strategic objectives and further enhance the key role of nuclear technology in peace and modern development. The statement was delivered on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman by Faiza Saif Al Siyabi, Chargé d'Affaires of Oman's Permanent Mission to the IAEA. In its statement, Oman welcomed the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as a new member of the IAEA. Oman emphasized in its statement its active participation...

2026-09-17

Focusing on Nuclear Safety Assessment and Future Strategic Priorities, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's Working Group on Accident Analysis and Management (WGAMA) Holds Its 29th Annual Meeting

The Working Group on Accident Analysis and Management (WGAMA), a subsidiary body of the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA), held its 29th Annual Meeting from September 7 to 9, 2026, at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris, France. Sixty-one delegates from 21 countries, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC), attended the meeting. Participants included experts from regulatory bodies, technical support organizations, research institutions, industry, and international organizations, who jointly assessed current activities, approved new projects, and discussed future strategic priorities in the field of accident analysis and management. As an international platform advancing the technical basis for nuclear reactor safety assessment, WGAMA at this meeting...

2026-09-17

An independent expert team has once again confirmed the environmental safety of Russia's Rostov Nuclear Power Plant

Recently, the annual ecological expedition involving students and researchers from Southern Federal University successfully completed its second phase, and an independent expert team has once again confirmed the environmental safety of Russia's Rostov Nuclear Power Plant. During the expedition, researchers collected 200 soil samples and conducted nearly 500 measurements of air γ radiation dose rates. These sampling points had been established long before the nuclear power plant was put into operation and have been used continuously over the years. Through analysis of these samples, experts were able to accurately assess the local natural radiation background. Dr. Yelena Buraeva, head of the ecological expedition team, briefed the media in detail on the monitoring results sustained over many years, emphasizing that 25 years of...

2026-09-17

The "Weaponized" Nuclear Power Plant: Dual Narratives and Governance Dilemmas in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Crisis

The "Weaponized" Nuclear Power Plant: Dual Narratives and Governance Dilemmas in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Crisis

2026-09-17

Holtec SMR project receives regulatory approval to proceed with early site construction

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted Holtec International a regulatory exemption allowing the company to advance certain early construction activities for two small modular reactor (SMR) units at the Palisades Energy Center in Michigan before obtaining a Limited Work Authorization (LWA). Palisades SMR, a wholly owned subsidiary of Holtec International, submitted the first part of a phased construction permit application to the NRC last December for the dual-unit SMR-300 project (Units Pioneer 1 and 2). The application included a request for a Limited Work Authorization to allow construction activities to begin before a construction permit or combined...

2026-09-17

Canada's Cameco Signs Exclusive Offtake Agreement to Lock Up All Future Output from U.S. Paducah Laser Enrichment Plant

Canadian nuclear fuel giant Cameco has signed a new exclusive offtake agreement with Global Laser Enrichment (GLE), under which Cameco will purchase all nuclear fuel products from the future production of the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF) that GLE plans to build in Kentucky, United States. This major agreement was formally announced by Australia's Silex Systems. GLE was founded in 2007 to develop and commercialize laser-based uranium enrichment technology in the United States. The company is currently 51% owned by Silex Systems, the developer of SILEX laser enrichment technology, and 49% by Cameco. Silex Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mike...

2026-09-17

Unit 2 of Japan's Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Completes Periodic Inspection and Resumes Commercial Operation After About 7 Months

The Chugoku Electric Power Company (Japanese: 中国電力株式会社), a large integrated electric power company responsible for supplying electricity to 5 prefectures in the Chugoku region of western Honshu, Japan, announced on September 16 that Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant has successfully completed the periodic inspection that began in February this year and officially resumed commercial operation on the 16th, returning to power supply after about 7 months. According to Chugoku Electric Power's estimate, in the overall power source mix, nuclear power generation will account for about 15% of the company's total power generation for this fiscal year, and this level of generation is expected to meet about 60% of the electricity demand of the two San'in prefectures. In addition, since Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant has reached 37 years since it began commercial operation, Chugoku Electric Power also collected, during this periodic inspection, data used as the basis for assessing the "special inspection" required for future extended operation beyond the standard service period (exceeding the 40-year operating limit).

2026-09-17

Kazakhstan is negotiating with potential suppliers on the construction of a second nuclear power plant

Gumar Sergazin, Vice Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan, stated at the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Kazakhstan is currently engaged in active negotiations with potential suppliers regarding the construction of the country's second nuclear power plant. In his remarks, Sergazin emphasized that within the framework of implementing the national nuclear energy program, Kazakhstan is not only preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant, but is also consulting with potential partners on preparations for a second nuclear power plant. Sergazin noted that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved in April 2026 the...

2026-09-17

Unit 1 of Japan's Ikata Nuclear Power Plant Enters the Second Phase of Decommissioning

The Ikata Town Assembly formally passed a resolution on September 17, determining that the plan to advance the decommissioning work of Unit 1 to the next phase starting from the next fiscal year is "appropriate." It is understood that Shikoku Electric Power Company has divided the decommissioning work of Unit 1 at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant into four phased processes to be carried out in an orderly manner. In July of this year, the company obtained official approval from Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority to commence the second-phase decommissioning plan, which includes the dismantling of equipment surrounding the reactor. According to relevant regulatory and local agreement requirements, the transition of decommissioning work to the second phase must obtain the understanding and consent of the local autonomous body. To this end, the Ikata Town Assembly specifically established a Special Committee on Nuclear Power Generation Countermeasures...

2026-09-17