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South Korea's Nuclear Expansion Faces Fuel Supply Pressure as Enriched Uranium Costs Surge Nearly Sixfold in Seven Years

Against the backdrop of accelerating global nuclear power construction and surging electricity demand from AI data centers, the nuclear fuel supply chain is facing new tensions. Due to limited uranium enrichment capacity and sanctions affecting Russian-related supplies, international uranium enrichment prices have risen sharply over the past seven years. South Korea's nuclear expansion plans are consequently facing fuel procurement pressure, with industry experts concerned that if mid- to long-term nuclear fuel security proves insufficient, newly built nuclear units could face operational risks in the future. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) recently disclosed that South Korea's domestic annual enriched uranium consumption is expected to increase from approximately 460 tons currently to about 540 tons next year. The rising demand mainly stems from the overlap between life-extension operations of some older nuclear units and the commissioning of new units...

2026-08-18

Japan's Nuclear Power Revival Enters Supply Chain Rebuilding Phase, with Spent Fuel and Engineering Capacity as Key Constraints

As Japan advances energy security, reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports, and expands low-carbon electricity supply, the focus of the country's nuclear power market is shifting from mere reactor restarts to a comprehensive supply chain rebuild covering manufacturing, operations and maintenance, life extension, fuel cycle, and waste management. GlobalData estimates Japan's nuclear power generation at 101.0 TWh in 2025 and projects it to increase to 123.3 TWh by 2035. Japan's policy target is to maintain nuclear power at approximately 20% to 22% of the electricity generation mix. Based on total annual electricity demand of approximately 1,050 TWh, a 20% nuclear share corresponds to about 210 TWh, while a 22% share corresponds to about 231 TWh. Compared with the 2025 nuclear generation figure of 101.0 TWh, the estimated gap is approximately 109 TWh to 130 TWh.

2026-08-18

Fresh nuclear fuel delivered for Reactor 1 of the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant

The fuel division of Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) has delivered a batch of fresh nuclear fuel to Pevek, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, for Reactor 1 of the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant. The plant, which is part of Rosatom's power division, is currently the only operating floating nuclear power plant in the world. The fuel was produced by Machine-Building Plant Joint-Stock Company (MSZ JSC) in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast. Prior to delivery to the plant, the fuel assemblies had undergone acceptance testing and technical inspections, and received certification from the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, the authority responsible for acceptance certification of nuclear fuel for marine reactor units.

2026-08-18

First American Nuclear Company's Regulatory Engagement Plan for Proposed HALEU Fuel Facility Accepted for Docketing by NRC

First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) announced on August 17 that its regulatory engagement plan for the proposed Class II high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) conversion and fuel fabrication facility has been accepted for docketing by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The facility will serve the company's EAGL-1 small modular reactor project currently under development. According to the company's disclosure, the NRC ADAMS accession number for the letter of intent is ML26222A181, and the NRC ADAMS accession number for the regulatory engagement plan is ML26222A177. This submission advances the pre-application regulatory engagement between FANCO and the NRC regarding the proposed ceramic fuel fabrication facility. The facility is planned to support the EAGL-1 lead-bismuth...

2026-08-18

Libya Plans to Restore Tajoura Research Reactor for Medical Isotope Production

The Libyan Atomic Energy Establishment recently proposed a plan to restore and restart the Tajoura nuclear research reactor for the production of medical radioisotopes. The establishment stated that this initiative aims to support the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and tumors, while reducing dependence on imports of relevant isotopes. Radioisotopes are essential materials in nuclear medicine, serving as tracers in medical imaging to help track organ function and detect certain diseases and tumors; some isotopes are also used in radiotherapy targeting specific tissues. According to the Libyan Atomic Energy Establishment, the Tajoura reactor has a rated thermal power of 10 megawatts and holds potential for producing various medical isotopes, including...

2026-08-18

Hyundai E&C Signs Framework Agreement with TerraPower for Natrium Nuclear Power Plant Project

Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced on the 18th that it has signed a framework agreement with U.S. nuclear energy company TerraPower for the execution of the Natrium next-generation nuclear power plant project. Under the agreement, Hyundai E&C has been granted priority status to serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) general contractor for up to eight additional Natrium nuclear units developed by TerraPower. The signing ceremony was attended by senior executives from both companies, including Hyundai E&C CEO Lee Han-woo and TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque. The two parties plan to expand cooperation in the nuclear energy sector and jointly explore new business opportunities...

2026-08-18

Nuclear-powered icebreaker "Leningrad" completes installation of two RITM-200 reactors

United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) announced that Baltic Shipyard has completed the installation of two RITM-200 nuclear reactors on the Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker "Leningrad". The "Leningrad" is the sixth vessel in the Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker series. The vessel is being built by Baltic Shipyard under an order from Rosatom, and its keel-laying ceremony was held on January 26, 2024. Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreakers are primarily designed to ensure year-round navigation in the western Arctic waters of Russia. Equipped with nuclear propulsion systems, these vessels can perform icebreaking escort and fairway maintenance missions under complex ice conditions.

2026-08-18

Huaneng Nuclear Energy Research Institute Conducts First Specialized Training on Hualong One System Principles

To enhance the Institute's technical support services and scientific research capabilities regarding Hualong One technology, and to strengthen employees' systematic understanding of Hualong One, Huaneng Nuclear Energy Research Institute organized training on Hualong One system principles, completing the first specialized session on August 12. A total of 101 company leaders and employees participated in the training through a combination of online and offline methods. The first training session reviewed China's path toward independent development of pressurized water reactor technology from an industry development perspective, systematically outlining the global evolution of nuclear power technology and the safety design criteria for Generation III nuclear power. By benchmarking against mainstream Generation III reactor designs such as the US AP1000 and European EPR, the session provided in-depth explanations of Hualong One's dual safety architecture combining active and passive safety systems...

2026-08-18

India Unveils Nuclear Energy Self-Reliance Roadmap, Targeting 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047

India's Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, recently stated in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that India is accelerating the development of its domestic nuclear energy ecosystem, with key focus areas including advanced reactor technologies, small modular reactors, domestic manufacturing capabilities, private sector participation, and the long-term development and utilization of thorium resources. Singh stated that India's long-term nuclear energy strategy remains based on its three-stage nuclear power program, aiming to gradually utilize the country's relatively abundant thorium resources while ensuring long-term energy security. India proposed a Nuclear Energy Mission in its 2025-2026 federal budget, planning to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047...

2026-08-17

India Releases Detailed Project Report for 300 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor

The release of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for India's 300 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-300) marks a new milestone in India's indigenous small modular reactor program. The report was released on August 14, 2026, and was jointly prepared by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The project falls under the indigenous Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program advanced by India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), positioned as a complement to India's existing large-scale nuclear power construction projects and offering captive nuclear power solutions. According to the released information, the BSMR-300 is designed as a fully indigenously developed Generation III+ pressurized water reactor with an installed capacity of 300 MWe. The project continues...

2026-08-17

India Releases Draft Rules Accompanying SHANTI Act, Requiring Nuclear Power Operators to Provide Nuclear Damage Insurance or Financial Guarantees

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) of India recently released the draft SHANTI Rules 2026 and the draft SHANTI Regulations 2026 for public consultation. The two documents set out provisions on nuclear project licensing, safety authorization, and nuclear damage liability, aiming to provide an institutional framework for India's expansion of nuclear power capacity and the introduction of more market players into nuclear energy development. Under the drafts, operators of nuclear power plants or reactors must purchase insurance, provide financial guarantees, or adopt both approaches for nuclear damage. Such financial security must remain in effect until all spent fuel has been removed from the corresponding storage pools. The drafts also propose the establishment of a nuclear liability fund, with funding sources linked to the civil liability limits borne by operators...

2026-08-17

Turkey's TR-2 Research Reactor Receives Operating License

The Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority has issued an operating license for the TR-2 research reactor at the Istanbul campus of the Nuclear Energy Institute under the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK). The license was issued pursuant to the Authority's Decision No. 2026-34/3 dated August 6, 2026. Following the review and evaluation of TENMAK's application documents, the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority authorized the agency to carry out the activities required for the transition of the TR-2 research reactor from its current status to the operational phase. TR-2 is located at the Istanbul campus of TENMAK's Nuclear Energy Institute, with an approved thermal power of 5 megawatts. The facility is a research reactor and is not a nuclear facility primarily intended for power generation. According to...

2026-08-17

St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 Manually Shut Down After Three Control Rods Dropped into the Core

According to an event notification submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Unit 1 of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, located on Hutchinson Island, Florida, USA, experienced a manual reactor shutdown at 9:47 a.m. Eastern Time on August 13, 2026. At the time of the event, the unit was in Mode 1 and operating at 100% power. The shutdown was caused by three control rods dropping into the reactor core. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission classified the event as a non-emergency. The licensee stated that the shutdown was completed in accordance with procedures, all systems responded normally after the shutdown, and operators subsequently stabilized the unit in Mode 3, i.e., hot standby condition. Decay heat was removed by diverting steam to the main condenser via turbine bypass valves and the main feedwater system...

2026-08-17

SK Deepens Cooperation with TerraPower, Targeting Nuclear Power Supply for AI Data Centers

According to industry sources, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won recently met with TerraPower Board Chairman Bill Gates in Seoul. The two sides exchanged views on next-generation nuclear power technology, electricity demand from AI data centers, and global energy cooperation. (From left to right) TerraPower CEO Chris Leveque, SK Innovation CEO Choo Hyung-wook, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, TerraPower Board Chairman Bill Gates, and TerraPower Senior Vice President of Business Development Jeff Miller at a meeting before a dinner at Seonhyewon restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 14, 2026...

2026-08-17

Public Announcement of Winning Bidder Candidates for the Civil Construction Project of the Huludao Research Reactor Project

Recently, the public announcement of winning bidder candidates for the civil construction project of the Huludao Research Reactor Project of the China Institute of Atomic Energy was released. The announcement shows that China Nuclear Industry 24 Construction Co., Ltd. ranks as the first winning bidder candidate with a bid price of RMB 1,109,080,000.00; China Nuclear Industry Huaxing Construction Co., Ltd. ranks as the second winning bidder candidate with a bid price of RMB 1,109,100,279.50. The tendered project is the research reactor project of the China Institute of Atomic Energy, with the scope of tender covering the civil construction works of the research reactor project, and the construction site located in Xingcheng City, Huludao City, Liaoning Province. The maximum bid limit for the project is RMB 1,109,550,000.00, and the maximum bid limit for daywork is RMB 320 per workday, excluding tax. According to...

2026-08-17