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Fuel Loading Begins at U.S. Palisades Nuclear Plant to Advance Restart

Holtec Nuclear announced on August 31 that fuel loading has begun into the reactor pressure vessel at the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township, Michigan, U.S. This milestone marks a critical step toward restoring operation at the permanently shut down commercial nuclear plant, advancing the restart process into Mode 6, the refueling mode, under the plant's technical specifications. The Palisades reactor core consists of 204 fuel assemblies, including new fuel and partially used fuel remaining from the plant's previous operating cycle. The core is designed to support the plant's 805 MW electrical output. Holtec...

2026-09-01

U.S. Lightbridge Selected for DOE LaunchPad INL Program to Advance Commercialization of Advanced Nuclear Fuel

Lightbridge Corporation, a U.S. advanced nuclear fuel technology company, announced on August 31 that it has been selected for the Nuclear Energy LaunchPad program (LaunchPad INL) managed by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The company stated that the program will provide an accelerated pathway for it to design, construct, and operate a dedicated facility at INL to manufacture lead test assemblies (LTAs) of Lightbridge Fuel™, with subsequent testing supported at U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. Lead test assemblies are generally regarded as a critical qualification step for nuclear fuel after reactor testing and before commercial fuel sales...

2026-09-01

U.S. Molten Salt Solutions Completes $7 Million Seed Funding Round

On August 31, Molten Salt Solutions (MSS), headquartered in New Mexico, U.S., announced that it had completed an oversubscribed $7 million seed funding round. The round was led by Dolby Family Ventures (DFV), with participation from Vanedge Capital Partners, Alumni Ventures, Gaingels, True Ventures, and Future Ventures. MSS primarily develops enriched stable isotopes for the fusion and advanced nuclear energy markets...

2026-09-01

KHNP Holds Executive Forum to Discuss Future Nuclear Power Strategies

On August 31, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) held an executive forum at its headquarters, with approximately 50 key executives in attendance to discuss the company's future vision and mid-to-long-term management direction. The meeting was designed to allow KHNP President Kim Hoi-tyun to share insights gained from his recent on-site management and inspections of domestic and international business operations, and to discuss the company's next-phase development priorities based on these findings. Agenda items included the application of artificial intelligence in the nuclear energy sector, enhancement of nuclear power plant operational capabilities, and strategic directions for the future small modular reactor (SMR) market. Participants assessed the company's existing business foundation and internal ca...

2026-09-01

US Westinghouse Electric Seeks to Restart Nuclear Expansion via IPO

US nuclear power company Westinghouse Electric Company is seeking to advance its business revival through an initial public offering. The company previously fell into bankruptcy due to project delays and sharp cost overruns in its nuclear projects, and has since undergone changes in ownership. Recently disclosed information shows that Westinghouse Electric submitted a confidential IPO application last July, with the specific listing date and offering size yet to be determined. Market observers believe that growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence development, along with the policy environment promoting nuclear power expansion in the US, is improving valuation expectations for nuclear power companies. David Nicholas, CEO of nuclear energy ETF manager Xfunds...

2026-09-01

Russia's Far East Plans to Build Two Nuclear Power Plants by 2042

Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, said on September 1 during the Eastern Economic Forum that the Russian Far East plans to complete two nuclear power plants by 2042, with a total installed capacity of 3.2 GW. Chekunkov noted that during the same period, the Far East also plans to commission six hydroelectric power plants with a total installed capacity of 3.77 GW, and construct approximately 4,000 kilometers of new power grid. He stated that energy construction is not limited to new power generation projects but also includes supporting grid infrastructure to meet the region's long-term development needs. According to the relevant arrangements, the first phase of construction will last until 2030. During this period, the Far East plans to add 8.3 GW of thermal power installed capacity, including...

2026-09-01

Russia Says Prospects Broad for Cooperation with Iran on Large and Small Nuclear Power Plants

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Russia's Rosatom, recently stated that the company sees significant room for cooperation with Iran in nuclear power construction, covering both large gigawatt-scale nuclear power units and small nuclear power plants. Likhachev said that Rosatom and Iran have broad prospects in expanding the construction of large nuclear power units and advancing small plant projects. Currently, Rosatom is already involved in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant project. Unit 1 of the Bushehr plant was put into operation in 2013. The second phase of the plant, covering Units 2 and...

2026-09-01

Kansai Electric Power Applies to Build Dry Cask Storage Facilities for Spent Fuel

Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) announced on August 31 that it has submitted an application to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) seeking approval for the design and construction plans of dry cask storage facilities for spent fuel at its Mihama and Takahama nuclear power plants in Fukui Prefecture. The company plans to begin construction in 2027 and aims to complete the facilities by 2029. This application covers the first-phase construction at the Mihama and Takahama nuclear power plants. KEPCO had previously planned to build a total of four dry cask storage facilities for spent fuel at three nuclear power plants within Fukui Prefecture, including the Mihama, Takahama, and Ohi nuclear power plants. Currently, the related project at the Ohi nuclear power plant and the second-phase construction at the Takahama nuclear power plant remain...

2026-09-01

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station begins 23rd discharge of treated nuclear-contaminated water

At 11:29 on August 31, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station began its fifth discharge of treated nuclear-contaminated water in fiscal year 2026 and the 23rd overall. The operation is scheduled to last 19 days, concluding on September 18, with an estimated discharge of approximately 7,800 tonnes of nuclear-contaminated water diluted with seawater, equivalent to the capacity of about 8 storage tanks. The total tritium content is estimated at approximately 1.2 trillion becquerels. The reactors of Units 1 to 3 at Fukushima Daiichi still contain nuclear fuel that melted and solidified during the accident, known as fuel debris. Groundwater and rainwater that come into contact with this fuel debris form contaminated water. Since the discharge of treated nuclear-contaminated water began in August 2023, Fukushima Daiichi has cumulatively released approximately 173,000 tonnes, equivalent to about 173 storage tanks' capacity.

2026-09-01

Japan Requests Hitachiomiya City in Ibaraki Prefecture to Conduct Literature Survey for High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Site

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on August 31 requested Hitachiomiya City in Ibaraki Prefecture to conduct a literature survey, as the first step in siting a final disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste generated from nuclear power plant operations. If Hitachiomiya City agrees, it will become the fifth municipality in Japan to accept such a literature survey, and the second time the Japanese government has proactively requested a survey from a local government, following Minamitorishima in Ogasawara Village, Tokyo. On the same day, Takashi Kume, Vice Commissioner of Japan's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, visited the Hitachiomiya City government and submitted the survey request to Mayor Sadanori Suzuki. Suzuki stated that he personally takes a positive stance toward accepting the literature survey, and noted that the city faces issues such as rapid population decline and a weak local economy, adding that if the area has favorable geological conditions, participating in the national geological disposal policy would be of "significant importance." He said he would make a decision after hearing the views of the city assembly, with the matter possibly being discussed at the regular assembly meeting as early as September.

2026-09-01

Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Holds Special Symposium on Nuclear Safety Management

Recently, Gao Zhigang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Fangchenggang Nuclear Power, presided over a special symposium centered on the theme of "firmly holding the nuclear safety 'rice bowl' in our own hands," engaging in exchanges with departments including Operations Division I, Operations Division II, Nuclear Safety and Licensing Department, and Training Department, while also delivering relay training in accordance with the requirements of CGN's 2026 "Red Egret - Party Committee Member Plan" training program. At the symposium, department representatives shared work insights and best practices based on their job responsibilities and frontline work realities, focusing on role positioning, capability enhancement, value creation, and cognitive upgrading, while also offering suggestions on production safety management, risk prevention and control, and on-site execution. Gao Zhigang...

2026-09-01

Multiple Units at Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Go Live with Self-Developed EPM System

On August 31, the EPM system, a production management platform independently developed by China National Nuclear Power (CNNP), was officially launched at Units 3, 4, 7, and 8 of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. This launch marks a new stage of standardized management and control for Jiangsu Nuclear Power's production management, and also provides a practical example from Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant for CNNP's digital transformation. The EPM system is a new-generation nuclear power plant production management system independently developed by CNNP with fully independent intellectual property rights. Designed to meet the operational needs of nuclear power plant field operations, the system integrates business processes such as planning, operations, maintenance, equipment, and safety permits, unifies plant-wide work execution standards, and achieves closed-loop control across the entire production management chain. The system covers...

2026-09-01

First Batch of Shift Supervisors and Deputy Shift Supervisors Assume Duties at Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 & 4

On August 28, Liaoning Nuclear Power held the appointment ceremony for the first batch of shift supervisors and deputy shift supervisors for Units 3 & 4 of the Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant, with relevant company leaders in attendance. At the ceremony, Liaoning Nuclear Power announced the appointment decisions, officially marking the assumption of duties by the first batch of shift supervisors and deputy shift supervisors for Units 3 & 4. A documentary short film played at the event reviewed the growth journey of the operations team, from theoretical study and systematic training to on-site practical operations and on-the-job experience. Having undergone training, practice, selection, and assessment, the personnel have now entered key positions in plant operations. On the same day, the head of the Operations Department signed annual business performance responsibility agreements with representatives of the first batch of shift supervisors, clarifying their accountabilities for safe performance of duties. Subsequently, the first batch of shift supervisors and deputy shift supervisors collectively...

2026-09-01

Manur Nuclear Power Produces Domestically Heaviest Slender Withdrawal-Type ESR Ingot

On August 30, 2026, the 60t withdrawal station of the 150-ton-class atmosphere-protected electroslag remelting (ESR) furnace at Yantai Taihai Manur Nuclear Power Equipment Co., Ltd. successfully produced a slender ESR ingot with a diameter of approximately 1270 mm and a weight of 61.2 tons, setting a new record for domestically manufactured special metallurgy equipment and consolidating the equipment foundation for the supply of high-end nuclear power forgings. The 61.2-ton slender withdrawal-type ESR ingot produced this time features a regular appearance and excellent surface quality. During the smelting process, equipment and operations including atmosphere protection, melt rate control, precise molten metal level control, fully automatic electrode exchange, and the complete withdrawal process remained stable and controllable. This ingot is currently the heaviest slender withdrawal-type ESR ingot produced in China, representing another critical leap in domestically manufactured large-tonnage withdrawal-type ESR equipment...

2026-08-31

CGN and CSSC Deepen Cooperation in Nuclear Power and New Energy Sectors

On August 28, Pang Songtao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of China General Nuclear Power Group Co., Ltd. (CGN), met with Xu Peng and his delegation, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), at the CGN Tower. The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges on cooperation in areas such as nuclear power, new energy, industrial software, and technological innovation. Peng Yuanpu, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy General Manager of CSSC, Ma Yunxiang, Assistant to the General Manager, Cai Zhen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of CGN, and Zhou Jianping, Member of the Party Committee of CGN, Vice President and General Counsel of CGN Power, attended the meeting. Pang Songtao extended a warm welcome to Xu Peng and his delegation. He noted that the cooperation between CGN and CSSC began with the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant and has spanned over four decades, with cooperation areas gradually expanding from nuclear power to environmental governance, new energy development, industrial software, and other fields, achieving fruitful results in areas such as nuclear emergency diesel generators and wind power equipment. Looking toward the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, he expressed the hope that both sides would further expand cooperation in new areas such as equipment manufacturing and technological innovation while consolidating the existing cooperation foundation, so as to better serve the national strategic agenda.

2026-08-31