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Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant may fully resume operations in about a week

Hungarian authorities stated that if weather forecasts hold true, rainfall in the Danube basin areas of Austria and Germany on Thursday will raise river water levels, and the Paks Nuclear Power Plant may fully resume operations in about a week. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on social media that if meteorological and hydrological calculations are accurate and significant precipitation occurs in the relevant Danube basin regions, water levels are expected to rise to the level required for plant operation. At that point, the turbines and units at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant can be restarted. Located along the Danube River in Hungary, the plant's unit operations are closely linked to river hydrological conditions...

2026-08-05

WANO Peer Review Successfully Conducted for Hainan Nuclear Power Units 1 and 2

From July 13 to 31, the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) conducted a three-week operational peer review of Hainan Nuclear Power Units 1 and 2. The review involved 22 industry experts from 5 countries and regions, who carried out a comprehensive and systematic assessment of Hainan Nuclear Power across ten core areas including organizational management, operations, maintenance, and technology, through various methods such as on-site observations, personnel interviews, and document reviews. In addition, the expert team conducted a special evaluation of the plant's nuclear safety culture status and the implementation of Significant Operating Experience Reports (SOER). At the review summary meeting, the review team announced the assessment results and provided professional recommendations for the plant's continuous improvement. ...

2026-08-05

Cold Functional Test of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 8 Successfully Completed

On August 3, the cold functional test (hereinafter referred to as the "cold test") of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 8, constructed by China Nuclear Industry 23 Construction Co., Ltd. (CNI23), was successfully completed, marking the official transition of the unit from the engineering installation phase to the system commissioning and testing phase, laying a solid foundation for subsequent hot functional test, reactor fuel loading, and grid connection. The cold test is the first comprehensive commissioning test after a nuclear power unit enters the system commissioning phase and is one of the important milestone nodes in nuclear power plant engineering construction. Its main purpose is to verify the integrity and leak-tightness of the pressure boundary, including primary loop pipeline welds, equipment, and high-pressure sections of connected systems, comprehensively inspect on-site installation quality, and precisely identify potential hazards. It serves as the first comprehensive and systematic "physical examination" of the reactor before its operation.

2026-08-05

Smolensk NPP Successfully Conducts Emergency Drill Multi-Agency Coordination Tests Response Capabilities

On August 3, the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant successfully conducted an accident response drill, with the participation of the Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Assistance Team (OPAS) of Rosenergoatom and emergency service departments. The drill brought together nuclear power plant staff, the crisis center team of Rosatom, local fire departments, medical institutions, and government representatives from the city of Smolensk and the Yelnya district. During the drill, all parties focused on practicing key tasks such as the alert and preparation of emergency response forces under non-routine conditions, organizing protective measures for personnel and local residents, and monitoring unit status and safety levels. The drill also included simulated fire...

2026-08-04

Balakovo NPP Conducts Special Traffic Safety Inspection Jointly with State Traffic Police

Balakovo NPP and the traffic administration recently conducted a joint preventive inspection aimed at improving road safety in the station area and preventing traffic accidents. The operation was carried out by experts from the NPP's transport workshop together with traffic police officers from the Balakovo City Police Department, as part of the annual safety inspection campaign. During the inspection, inspectors carefully checked compliance with traffic rules by vehicle drivers and pedestrians within the NPP premises. The results showed that no violations were detected, which fully reflects the high level of discipline and responsible attitude toward safety requirements demonstrated by Balakovo NPP employees and those of its contractors. The traffic police department stated that the main objective of such inspections is...

2026-08-04

NPCIL launches engineering design tender for 220 MWe Bharat Small Reactor

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has issued a tender notice inviting bids for plant engineering design and 3D modeling services for its 220 MWe-class Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) project. The reactor design is based on India's existing 220 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) technology, with a bid submission deadline of August 10. The scope of this tender covers general design and engineering services for civil, process, mechanical, piping, electrical, control and instrumentation systems, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, pipe stress analysis, and 3D computer modeling. NPCIL aims to select a supplier capable of delivering an integrated engineering solution and providing support for subsequent detailed design verification, construction and commissioning documentation. The project requires suppliers to prioritize quality assurance and comply with relevant regulatory and technical standards.

2026-08-04

Russian Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker "Yakutia" Provides First Escort for Luxury Cruise Ship to Wrangel Island Nature Reserve

This summer, the second group of tourists to Wrangel Island successfully landed on the nature reserve. 150 tourists were able to witness with their own eyes this mysterious island known as the "birthplace of polar bears." This was made possible thanks to the nuclear-powered icebreaker Yakutia providing ice escort services for the luxury cruise ship SH Minerva, ensuring navigational safety. This year, ice conditions in the Chukotka region were relatively complex, posing challenges to the cruise ship's operations. Previously, SH Minerva had failed to reach Wrangel Island due to its inability to break through sea ice, so the trip organizers took special measures this time. RussiaDiscovery and Vodokhod companies submitted a request to Rosatomflot...

2026-08-04

Unit 2 of Kola NPP begins 30-day scheduled preventive maintenance

On August 2, 2026, Unit 2 of the Kola Nuclear Power Plant launched scheduled preventive maintenance (SPM) incorporating modernization elements, expected to last approximately 30 days. During this mid-cycle overhaul, specialists will carry out extensive work on critical equipment. In the reactor shop, major repairs will be performed on part of the steam generators, main circulation pumps, and primary circuit piping. Plans also include disassembly and reassembly of the reactor plant, nuclear fuel replacement, and repair of the reactor internals and safety system equipment. In the turbine shop, turbine units, turbogenerators, circulation pumps, low-pressure heaters, and separators-superheaters will be repaired. On the electrical side, transformers and diesel generators will undergo maintenance. Additionally, upgrades are planned for the automatic chemical control system of the primary coolant and the DC power distribution panels for the entire station and individual units.

2026-08-04

X-energy and SGL Carbon to Expand Nuclear-Grade Graphite Production Capacity

X-Energy and SGL Carbon announced on August 3 that they have signed a binding agreement to expand production capacity for NBG-18 medium-grained isotropic nuclear-grade graphite. NBG-18 is a critical specialty material for X-Energy's Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, supporting the company's subsequent commercial project deployments. Under the agreement, X-Energy will invest up to $8 million in phases to support the construction of new facilities and equipment upgrades at SGL Carbon's plant in Chedde, France. Upon completion of the expansion, the plant will be capable of producing graphite billets annually sufficient for up to eight Xe-100 reactors. SGL Carbon has also agreed to expand its graphite billet processing capacity in the United States to enhance the stability of this safety-critical material supply chain.

2026-08-04

CCTE Signs Supply Agreement with BWXT Canada to Advance Commercial Demonstration of ANEEL Fuel

U.S. nuclear fuel company Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) announced on August 3 that it has signed a fuel manufacturing supply agreement with BWXT Canada Ltd. to further refine manufacturing conditions for the commercial demonstration of its ANEEL nuclear fuel platform. Under the agreement, BWXT Canada will provide qualified fuel assembly hardware for integration with ANEEL fuel pellets, and assemble them into complete, reactor-representative full-scale demonstration fuel assemblies at the Chalk River Laboratories under Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). CCTE is responsible for providing ANEEL fuel...

2026-08-04

T-Robotics to Participate in South Korea's Radioactive Waste Management Robot Demonstration Project

T-Robotics, a South Korean industrial humanoid robot and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) company, announced on August 4 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the 2026 large-scale integrated robot demonstration project. The MOU was jointly signed by T-Robotics, the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD), Klobot, and the Gyeongbuk ICT Convergence Industry Promotion Association. The parties plan to jointly pursue a government demonstration project targeting high-risk radioactive waste safety management scenarios, exploring the collaborative application of multiple types of robots in radioactive waste disposal facilities. Under the agreement, the participating organizations will establish...

2026-08-04

Dominion Energy Renews Early Site Permit for North Anna Nuclear Plant

Dominion Energy Virginia is taking steps to renew the early site permit for its North Anna nuclear power plant, originally issued in 2007. Located in Louisa County, the North Anna plant currently operates two reactors. The company submitted an application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 14, seeking to extend the early site permit for a period of 20 years, or 20 years from the date of issuance, whichever is later. The NRC has formally acknowledged receipt of the request and is reviewing it for docketing acceptance. An early site permit is an optional process through which the NRC can confirm whether a site is suitable for a new nuclear power plant; obtaining such a permit can reduce risks of delays during the licensing and construction process...

2026-08-04

Russia Says Balkhash NPP Construction Will Boost Kazakhstan's Nuclear Energy Industry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin recently stated that the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant, the Balkhash NPP, will help the country establish a modern nuclear energy industry. Rosatom, Russia's state atomic energy corporation, is participating in the project as the lead party. Speaking at the plenary session of the Third Russia-Kazakhstan Media Forum, Galuzin said that Russia and Kazakhstan cooperate in multiple areas, with the Balkhash NPP being one of the recent collaborative projects. He noted that the plant will be built to a Russian design and, once completed, will provide a foundation for the development of Kazakhstan's nuclear energy industry. According to current plans, the Balkhash NPP project is scheduled to begin construction in 2027...

2026-08-04

Valar Atomics Completes $1 Billion Equity Financing, Sequoia Capital Partner Joins Board

Nuclear energy startup Valar Atomics confirmed on August 3 that it has completed a $1 billion equity financing round led by Sequoia Capital. Company founder and CEO Isaiah Taylor stated that Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire has joined the company's board of directors. In addition to the equity financing, Valar Atomics also secured a $200 million credit facility from Erebor and other banks. Valar Atomics did not disclose its post-financing valuation. Reports indicate the company is valued at approximately $6 billion. Valar Atomics primarily...

2026-08-04

Russian Researchers Develop High-Wear-Resistant Steel Sample for Nuclear Waste Processing

Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) recently announced that Russian researchers have developed a steel sample with reinforcing elements. Experimental results show that the durability of this material is approximately 4 times that of 5KhNM tool steel currently used in nuclear power plant waste processing equipment. The research focuses on improving precipitation hardening steel structures. Precipitation hardening steel is a special class of alloy material that, after quenching and holding at specific temperatures, precipitates fine, hard particles within the steel, thereby enhancing strength and wear resistance. The researchers aim to replace existing 5KhNM tool steel with new high-strength alloys...

2026-08-04