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Lightbridge Approved to Conduct Advanced Nuclear Fuel Irradiation Testing at Idaho National Laboratory

On September 9, Lightbridge Corporation (Lightbridge, Nasdaq: LTBR), a developer of advanced nuclear fuel technology, announced that it has completed the signing of Project Task Statement No. 2 (PTS No. 2) under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the operating contractor of Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Under this task statement, Lightbridge will gain access to the loop test facility of the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory to conduct irradiation testing of Lightbridge Fuel™ cladded fuel rods. The loop...

2026-09-10

NRA Commissioner Inspects Radiation Management at Shimane Nuclear Power Station

Reiko Kanda, a Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan, visited Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, from September 7 to 8 to inspect radiation level management and on-site inspection work at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station. The NRA has a dedicated inspection team stationed at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station and conducts a related inspection once a year to confirm that resident inspectors can properly manage and monitor radiation levels. On September 8, the NRA inspected the emergency response center used by the nuclear power station in the event of a severe accident, focusing on confirming the inspectors' emergency response procedures. Reiko Kanda observed the inspection process on site. Reiko Kanda stated that the inspection work was carried out properly and that this inspection will serve as a reference for the NRA's future work.

2026-09-10

Construction Site Leveling and Excavation Kicks Off for Hualong One Version 2.0 Demonstration Project of Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power Phase II

On the morning of September 9, Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power held a mobilization meeting for high-quality construction of the Hualong One Version 2.0 demonstration project of Phase II, marking the full launch of site leveling and excavation work for Phase II. At the event, Yao Zhaohong, General Manager of Jinqimen Nuclear Power, presented the flag to the Party Member Commando Team for High-Quality Commencement of the Demonstration Project. Zhong Hua, Party Secretary and Chairman of Jinqimen Nuclear Power, delivered a mobilization speech and announced the start of site leveling and excavation work. At 11:11, the first blast for the main excavation of Phase II was successfully detonated, marking that the project construction has entered a stage of accelerated advancement. The mobilization meeting stated that Jinqimen Nuclear Power undertakes the task of constructing the Hualong One Version 2.0 demonstration project, and all participating units and builders must fulfill safety and quality responsibilities, adhere to safety first and quality first, steadily advance project construction, and build a high-standard "New Quality Hualong Demonstration Project."

2026-09-10

Kansai Electric Revises Site Survey Plan for Additional Units at Mihama Nuclear Power Station

On September 9, 2026, Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) announced a revision to its voluntary site survey plan for additional units at the Mihama Nuclear Power Station, extending the completion of the preliminary survey from March 2027 to March 2028, while the detailed survey remains scheduled for completion in 2030. Kansai Electric stated that it resumed the voluntary site survey, which had been suspended since March 12, 2011, on November 5, 2025, for the potential additional units at the Mihama site. Under the original plan announced on September 17, 2025, Kansai Electric first conducted a broad preliminary survey both inside and outside the plant site, then selected a more advantageous area based on geological conditions, and carried out a detailed survey in that area...

2026-09-09

Canada and UK Nuclear Institutes Sign Reciprocal Membership Agreement to Strengthen Nuclear Professional Cooperation

On September 8, 2026, the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS) and the UK's Nuclear Institute (NI) announced the signing of a cooperation agreement at the Canada-UK Nuclear Day, establishing a reciprocal membership mechanism and promoting closer collaboration between the two professional organizations. Under the agreement, members of either organization can join the other free of charge and enjoy corresponding membership benefits, including registering for conferences and events hosted by the other organization at member discount rates. The arrangement aims to facilitate skills exchange, knowledge sharing, and professional networking between nuclear professionals in Canada and the UK, while supporting the career development of members in both countries. CNS President Daniel Gammage stated that the Canadian Nuclear Society is...

2026-09-09

UK Tokamak Energy completes testing of Demo4 fusion high-temperature superconducting magnet system

On September 9, 2026, Tokamak Energy of the UK announced the completion of a 14-month testing campaign for its Demo4 fusion magnet system, validating the company's capabilities in the design, manufacture, integration, and operation of complete high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet systems. The technical experience gained from Demo4 testing is now being applied to the collaboration between Tokamak Energy and UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), supporting the development of HTS magnet systems for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) fusion program. The results also target HTS commercial applications beyond fusion, and...

2026-09-09

Toshiba Energy Systems Selected for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Demonstration Project

On September 9, 2026, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced that it has been selected for the second round of public solicitation under the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's FY2025 supplementary budget project "Support Program for Technology Development and Supply Chain Construction for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Development and Construction," undertaking the "Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Manufacturing Demonstration Project (Phase 2)." Figure: Image of iBR internal structure Following this selection, Toshiba Energy Systems will further expand its R&D efforts in reactor internal structures, building on the six projects previously selected in the first round. The company plans to collaborate with suppliers to...

2026-09-09

Estonia expects to identify preliminary nuclear power plant site by spring

Estonia's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications expects that by spring, the site selection analysis for a nuclear power plant will have progressed sufficiently to identify preliminary candidate sites. Currently, authorities are evaluating six potential locations in the coastal areas of Kunda and Lüganuse-Toila, with three candidate sites in each area. Agnes Lihtsa, adviser to the ministry's Land and Spatial Policy Department, stated that relevant authorities have developed a site evaluation framework containing 40 indicators, drawing on recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency. The evaluation covers nuclear safety requirements, geological and hydrological conditions, cooling water availability, potential impacts on the natural environment, and socio-economic factors. Lihtsa said that cooling water conditions are a key factor in site selection.

2026-09-09

United States and Colombia Sign Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding

On September 8, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Blas Escobar attended the signing ceremony of two memoranda of understanding in Barranquilla, Colombia. The related report was published and updated on September 9, 2026. Under the signing arrangement, the first document is a framework memorandum of understanding between the U.S. government and the Colombian government on securing the mining and processing supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements; the second document is a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. government and the Government of the Republic of Colombia on strategic civil nuclear cooperation. Following the signing ceremony, Rubio stated that the United States and Colombia...

2026-09-09

Indian, Russian Leaders to Meet Ahead of BRICS Summit; Talks on New Nuclear Power Plants on Agenda

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on September 8 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet this Friday, ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit scheduled for September 12-13 in New Delhi. Peskov stated that Russia is awaiting negotiations with India on new nuclear power plants. He also noted that the two leaders maintain close contact and are able to discuss sensitive issues in bilateral relations in an open and constructive manner. The Indian side has not yet issued an official statement regarding the bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin. India holds the presidency of the 2026 BRICS Summit. This year's summit will be held at the India Exposition Centre in New Delhi under the theme "Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development." During the summit, participants will exchange views on shared priorities and related global and regional issues.

2026-09-09

Planned outage at Sweden's Ringhals Unit 4 extended to November 30

The planned maintenance outage at Unit 4 of Sweden's Ringhals nuclear power plant will be extended to November 30 due to the need for additional cleaning work on site. During the planned maintenance outage at Ringhals Unit 3, inspectors discovered rubber residue in parts of the component cooling system. The rubber residue originated from leaking valves within the system. The cleaning work is a preventive measure aimed at avoiding reduced cooling performance or component damage. Sven-Anders Andersson stated that the valve replacement work had originally been scheduled for the coming years, but the rubber degradation exceeded expectations. He said: "We deeply regret the extended outage, but safety and equipment condition remain our top priorities."

2026-09-09

Russia's SKIF Synchrotron Considers Building Enterprise-Funded Experimental Stations

The Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron project in Russia is considering the construction of enterprise-funded experimental stations. Andrei Bukhtiyarov, Deputy Director of the SKIF Shared Use Center, stated that this idea is expected to advance after the first-phase experimental stations are put into operation and their operational capabilities are verified. According to reports, construction of the SKIF synchrotron was completed in June 2026. Once the facility becomes operational, it will help researchers obtain high-precision data on the internal structure and behavior of materials. The first phase of the SKIF project, located near Novosibirsk, plans a total of 7 experimental stations, all scheduled to become operational by August 2027, when research teams can begin conducting relevant experiments. Bukhtiyarov...

2026-09-09

Five Korean Local Governments Discuss Improvements to On-Site Storage Facilities at Nuclear Power Plants

On September 8, 2026, Gyeongju City announced that the 36th Administrative Meeting of Local Governments Hosting Nuclear Power Plants was held in Gyeongju that day. Heads of local governments from five regions hosting nuclear power plants—Gyeongju City, Gijang County in Busan, Ulju County in Ulsan, Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province, and Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province—attended the meeting. Photo of the administrative meeting of local governments hosting nuclear power plants held in Gyeongju on the 8th. Photo provided by Gyeongju City Government. The meeting discussed topics including current issues with on-site storage facilities within nuclear power plant premises, improvement of support systems for areas surrounding nuclear power plants, and joint response mechanisms among local governments. Participants noted that some issues faced by nuclear power plant host regions share common characteristics, requiring collaboration among local governments to ensure relevant opinions are reflected in government policies and systems.

2026-09-09

South Korea Reassesses New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amid Rising AI Electricity Demand

On September 8, South Korea's Minister of Climate and Energy Environment, Kim Sung-hwan, stated in an interview that due to the expansion of the artificial intelligence industry, South Korea's future electricity demand is expected to increase by 25 to 30 gigawatts. The government is reassessing the possibility of constructing new nuclear power plants and plans to announce the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand next month. Kim Sung-hwan said the aforementioned additional demand mainly stems from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix expanding semiconductor production, as well as the construction of new AI data centers. As internal combustion engine vehicles transition to electric vehicles and the scope of electric heating replacing gas heating expands, South Korea's overall electricity demand will continue to grow. The South Korean government...

2026-09-09

UK think tank calls for clear nuclear reactor technology roadmap to support nuclear expansion

On September 8, 2026, UK think tank Policy Exchange released a white paper stating that the UK government needs to more clearly articulate which nuclear reactor technologies it will rely on to advance the so-called nuclear golden age, and to strengthen the supply chain and achieve economies of scale through batch construction. Policy Exchange's Nuclear Enterprise Committee is composed of experts from government, industry, and academia. The committee believes that the UK's civil nuclear strategy is at a critical stage, and related decisions will affect the country's energy system for decades to come. The white paper points out that given that new small modular reactor technologies are still in the early stages of development, the UK government should retain the option of building another large-scale nuclear...

2026-09-09