Nuclear

Latest

‘Significant issues’ with government’s major energy schemes

The government has been told to address “significant issues” with the majority of its major energy-related projects. In total, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is responsible for delivering 19 major projects. Of those, the Infrastructure and Project Authority (IPA) has ruled that 13 have “significant issues [which require] management attention”, in its annual report. Those include the smart meter rollout, low cost nuclear programme and various home upgrade and green heating schemes.

9 months ago

New funding to cut UK nuclear fleet’s reliance on Russian fuel

Grant Shapps has announced the launch of the government’s mini-atomic reactor competition while unveiling funding for projects designed to reduce the UK’s reliance on Russia for nuclear fuels. The secretary of state for energy security and net zero said the UK is seeing the “first brush strokes of our nuclear power renaissance” with the opening of the government’s new agency Great British Nuclear (GBN).

9 months ago

Wylfa nuclear sale talks ongoing

The UK government has confirmed that conversations are ongoing about the sale of the Wylfa nuclear site. The site on Ynys Mon has been earmarked by the government as a prospective site for housing one of the next generation GW scale nuclear power plants.

10 months ago

Imports exceed nuclear generation for first time

11 months ago

Sizewell B back online following £80m upgrade

Sizewell B has begun generating again following the completion of an £80 million upgrade. The Suffolk nuclear plant has been offline since the middle of February. In that time, the plant has undergone refuelling and a series of maintenance works. This included replacing one of the two rotors that are responsible for turning the turbine that makes the power, replacement of one of the four reactor coolant pumps inside the plant’s dome and routine servicing of valves and motors.

11 months ago

Weekend press round-up: Coffey ‘fed up’ with water companies

11 months ago

French nuclear woes to keep power prices high beyond 2030

12 months ago

Welsh site moves step closer to homing UK’s first SMRs

12 months ago

Wylfa needed for UK to hit nuclear targets, MPs warn

It is "difficult to see" how the UK government can deliver its nuclear power ambitions without a plant at Wylfa in north Wales, MPs have warned. The House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee urges UK ministers to prioritise the construction of a new nuclear scale plant on Ynys Mon.

12 months ago

Video: Behind the scenes at Hinkley Point C

Hinkley Point C’s delivery director Nigel Cann has released his latest update on the project. The footage shows how work has progressed over the last six months, with the site moving into new phases of construction.

1 year ago

Rolls-Royce SMR design clears first assessment stage

1 year ago

Renewable power reaches record high as capacity grows

Renewable generation in 2022 matched 2020’s record high despite less favourable weather conditions, according to new government statistics.

1 year ago

Top official hits back over UK energy investment famine fears

1 year ago

Hunt tasks Ofgem with ending PPM premium

As part of his Budget announcement, chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed that he has asked Ofgem to draw up regulatory options for permanently ending the standing charge premium paid by prepayment meter customers. Other Budget announcements included the launch of the government’s Great British Nuclear agency and £20bn in funding for CCUS projects.

1 year ago

EDF confirms plans to extend life of two nuclear plants

EDF has confirmed that it will extend the lives of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool power stations by an additional two years. The two nuclear power stations in the north of England both marked 40 years of generation this year. They will now continue generating power until March 2026.

1 year ago

National Grid deploys ‘anti-leak’ tech at Sizewell and Dinorwig

National Grid has rolled out “anti-leak” technology at Sizewell and Dinorwig while keeping the substations in service. The technology has been developed in partnership with engineering technology company Rawwater to fix leaks of greenhouse gas SF6 while keeping substations safely in service.

1 year ago

Renewables power generation outstripped gas over winter

1 year ago

Hinkley C’s first nuclear reactor arrives on site

The first of two nuclear reactors that will be installed at Hinkley Point C has arrived in Somerset. Weighing 500 tonnes, the 13m-long reactor was made in France before being shipped to Avonmouth Docks in Bristol.

1 year ago

‘Madness’ to delay nuclear decisions

Leaving big decisions about the future of the UK’s nuclear programme until after the next election would be “disastrous” and "madness”, the government’s chief nuclear adviser has warned. He added that the industry in the UK and abroad would soon lose faith in the government’s commitment to nuclear power.

1 year ago

Hinkley C’s £6bn cost hike tests UK’s nuclear resolve

1 year ago