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Long-term operation upgrades advanced during outage of Czech Dukovany Unit 3

On September 8, 2026, CEZ Group (CEZ) is utilizing the current outage maintenance window of Unit 3 at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant to carry out large-scale modernization of the turbine hall and secondary circuit. These systems are responsible for converting the thermal energy generated by the reactor into electricity and delivering it to the transmission grid. CEZ stated that during this outage, technicians will perform hundreds of inspections, repairs, maintenance activities, and modifications on secondary circuit equipment. In addition to routine inspections required by regulations and operating procedures, preventive maintenance, defect resolution, and equipment upgrades will also be carried out on site, creating conditions for the plant's goal of operating for up to 80 years. Roman Havlín, Director of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, stated that while outage maintenance at nuclear power plants typically draws more attention to the reactor and primary circuit, the turbine hall equipment that ensures actual electricity generation is equally critical, and related equipment will also receive intensive maintenance during the outage.

2026-09-09

Armenian NPP Unit 2 Reconnected to Grid After Overhaul

September 3 news, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan stated that Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has resumed operation and been connected to the country's unified power grid after completing a five-month planned overhaul. Khudatyan said that on September 1, 2026, Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant was restarted after scheduled maintenance and connected to the national unified power grid. Currently, the unit is operating normally, with power output gradually increasing in accordance with established process requirements. The planned overhaul began on April 1 and lasted 153 days as scheduled. During the overhaul, approximately 20 measures were implemented at the plant to enhance unit reliability, safety, and operational efficiency...

2026-09-08

Bruce Power Aims to Generate Over CAD 13.3 Billion in Economic Impact in Canada Over Next 18 Months

Bruce Power recently stated that over the next 18 months, the company expects to generate more than CAD 13.3 billion in economic impact across Canada, with related investments primarily stemming from its nuclear plant operations and life extension programs, supporting businesses and jobs in Ontario and other regions of Canada. Bruce Power stated that since launching the "Canada First" program in 2025, the company has invested over CAD 6.6 billion in Canada between January 2025 and June 2026, and plans to invest an additional CAD 7.7 billion by the end of 2027. The company noted that its spending within Canada accounts for more than 95% of total expenditures. As a nuclear operator located in Bruce County, Ontario...

2026-08-28

South Korea Reviews Plans for New Nuclear Units and 20-Year License Extensions

The South Korean government is reviewing plans to build new nuclear power units and extend the operating license periods of existing nuclear plants to address mid- to long-term electricity demand growth driven by semiconductor industry clusters in Yongin and the Honam region. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment submitted a written response to the National Assembly on the 24th, stating that during the revision of the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, it will review whether to include new nuclear power plants in the plan, taking into account factors such as electricity supply-demand necessity, construction schedules, regional acceptance, and suitability of nuclear plant sites. The ministry stated that after the draft of the relevant work is published, it will also undergo procedures including National Assembly deliberation, public hearings, strategic environmental impact assessment, and climate change impact assessment.

2026-08-25

Embalse Nuclear Power Plant Life Extension Experience Boosts Argentina's Nuclear Power Service Exports

Argentina's Embalse Nuclear Power Plant life extension project has become an important technical foundation for the country's nuclear power service exports. Between 2015 and 2019, the Embalse Nuclear Power Plant underwent a large-scale refurbishment, with core work including reactor tube replacement, fuel channel replacement, steam generator renewal, and upgrade of the plant's computer control system, enabling the unit to operate for another 30 years. Nuclear power plant life extension is one of the most technically challenging projects in the energy sector, requiring the dismantling, inspection, assessment, and refurbishment of key equipment that has been in operation for decades, with stringent requirements for engineering precision, quality control, and project management capability. Through the Embalse Nuclear Power Plant project, Argentina has for the first time fully implemented this complex process.

2026-08-19

U.S. Department of Energy Awards $271 Million to Support Extended Operation of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded $271 million to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to support the continued operation of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. The funding will be used to ensure the plant maintains safe and reliable power generation during the license extension period and to support workforce stability. In April of this year, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved a 20-year extension of the operating licenses for both units at Diablo Canyon. Under the previous schedule, the plant's two units were originally slated to cease commercial operation in 2025. Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish stated that keeping Diablo Canyon operational is of great significance in meeting California's growing demand for affordable, reliable, and safe electricity. The Civil Nuclear Credit Program is helping protect this critical baseload power source and prevent premature retirement of reliable generation facilities from the grid.

2026-08-15

California Governor Says He Will Not Push for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Life Extension During His Term

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he will not push to extend the operating life of the state's only commercial nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, during his final months in office. This means the plant's fate after 2030 will be left at least to the next state administration to decide. Located in San Luis Obispo County, California, the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant has two units and is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Under an arrangement PG&E reached in 2016, the two units were originally scheduled for phased retirement. However, after California's high temperatures in 2022 triggered power supply strain and blackouts...

2026-08-12

Finland's Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant Launches Turbine Island Upgrade to Support Operation Until 2050

Finnish utility Fortum has launched a large-scale modernization project for the turbine island at the Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant. The project aims to increase the plant's electrical output and ensure the continued, safe, and reliable operation of both units through the end of 2050 under the new operating licenses. The Loviisa plant consists of two VVER-440 pressurized water reactor units and is Finland's first nuclear power plant, currently supplying more than 10% of the country's electricity. Unit 1 entered commercial operation in 1977, followed by Unit 2 in 1981, and the Finnish government approved the extended operating licenses in February 2023. The core of this upgrade is the modernization of the low-pressure turbines, which is the largest single undertaking in the Loviisa turbine island upgrade...

2026-08-12

Argentina Advances Private Capital Introduction in Nuclear Sector, Plans Life Extension for Atucha I Nuclear Power Plant

The Argentine government is pushing forward a new round of adjustments in the nuclear energy industry, with the core measure being the allowance of private capital into the state-owned nuclear power operator Nucleoeléctrica Argentina. Under the new regulatory framework, the state will retain 51% of shares and maintain control over strategic decisions, while up to 44% of equity can be offered to investors through public tenders, aiming to attract capital into this key industry of energy sovereignty significance. Government officials stated that proceeds from the partial equity sale will be directed toward projects considered energy infrastructure priorities, including the life extension project for Atucha I Nuclear Power Plant and fuel storage at Atucha II Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-11

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

Annual maintenance outage begins at Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant, spanning August 2 to October 18

The annual maintenance of Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant began on August 2. Energy company Fortum stated that this annual maintenance will be carried out from August 2 to October 18. During the maintenance period, several modernization projects related to extending the plant's service life will also be launched. The maintenance will first be carried out on Unit 2, followed by Unit 1. Fortum stated that while one unit is under maintenance, the other unit will continue normal power generation. The maintenance of Unit 2 is a large-scale annual inspection conducted once every eight years, which includes removing fuel from the reactor for inspection and pressure testing of the reactor vessel, as well as replacing...

2026-08-03

Rosatom Expects Revenue of $43.2 Billion in 2026

Rosatom expects its revenue to reach $43.2 billion in 2026, driven primarily by new products, international operations, and expansion in nuclear energy, technology, and logistics. The company plans to continue scaling up in the coming years, targeting consolidated revenue of approximately $50.8 billion by 2028, with businesses related to new technologies expected to grow by about 50%. To support this growth target, Rosatom will maintain an investment program exceeding $11.4 billion, focusing on projects that yield the best financial returns. Rosatom is actively implementing cost control and efficiency improvement measures, aiming to increase productivity by 12% annually and achieve a 10% wage increase...

2026-08-03

US Utility Xcel Energy's Nuclear Plant Life Extension Boosts Q2 Earnings Significantly

Xcel Energy, a multi-state regulated electric and gas utility headquartered in Minneapolis, USA, achieved significant earnings growth in the second quarter, primarily driven by reduced depreciation expenses resulting from extended operating lives of its nuclear power plants. The company extended the expected operating lives of its nuclear plants to 2050 and beyond, thereby lowering quarterly depreciation costs and positively impacting its financial performance. Despite a decline in operating revenues, net income still grew by 32% to $586 million, with diluted earnings per share rising from $0.75 to $0.93. The extension of nuclear plant operating lives does not imply an immediate increase in cash flow or power generation...

2026-08-03

Greenpeace accuses Spanish Nuclear Safety Council of improperly renewing Almaraz nuclear power plant license until 2030

The Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) recently issued a favorable report on extending the operating license of the Almaraz nuclear power plant until 2030. However, the environmental organization Greenpeace has questioned this decision, arguing that the report fails to comply with current nuclear safety regulations. They point out that Council member Francisco Castejón abstained from the vote on approving the extension of the Almaraz plant's lifespan, which indicates blind spots in the assessment process. Greenpeace further emphasized that the handling of this extension application is also problematic, as no new Periodic Safety Review (PSR) was conducted, instead relying on the previous assessment that concluded in June 2018...

2026-08-01

Two UK nuclear power plants approved for life extension until March 2030

EDF Energy and Centrica announced on July 22 that the operational lives of the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nuclear power stations in the UK will be extended by another two years, until March 2030.Located in northern England, the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nucl

2026-07-23