December 28, 2017
Tokyo Could Cut ¥1.2 billion in Grants to Niigata for Idle Reactors
The [Japanese] central government could reduce grants to local governments in Niigata Prefecture by more than ¥1.2 billion (US$10.6 million) in total if the governor does not approve the restarts of two nuclear reactors. Tokyo is planning the decreases under revised regulations related to reactors that remain idle despite being cleared to run. The Nuclear Regulation Authority on December 27 said the No. 6 and No. 7 reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture have passed major safety screenings for a resumption of operations. http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201712280035.html December 28, 2017
UK Enjoyed 'Greenest Year for Electricity Ever' in 2017
The UK has achieved its greenest year ever in terms of how the nation's electricity is generated, National Grid figures reveal. The rise of renewable energy helped break 13 clean energy records in 2017. In June, for the first time, wind, nuclear, and solar power generated more UK power than gas and coal combined. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42495883 December 28, 2017
Toshiba Hit with Class Action over Scrapped US Nuclear Project
A group of US residents has launched a class-action lawsuit against Toshiba over the decision to halt work on a pair of reactors being built by its bankrupt American nuclear unit [Westinghouse], seeking unspecified damages. Two residents of South Carolina, home to the V.C. Summer nuclear plant, have taken the Japanese electronics conglomerate to court on behalf of customers purchasing power from South Carolina Electric & Gas, whose parent SCANA manages the plant. Toshiba was served with the complaint Tuesday. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Toshiba-hit-with-class-action-over-scrapped-US-nuclear-project December 28, 2017
USA: Nuclear Energy Wants a Spot in Trump's Infrastructure Bill
The nuclear energy industry sees an opportunity in US President Trump's push next year for an infrastructure bill, which is expected to include measures to streamline regulations to help power plant and grid development. “We certainly think it can and should help nuclear,” said John Kotek, vice president for policy at the Nuclear Energy Institute. Trump recently announced his plans to make an infrastructure development bill his next major push after securing major tax reform legislation this month. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nuclear-energy-wants-a-spot-in-trumps-infrastructure-bill/article/2644482 December 28, 2017
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. Spent Rs 706 Crore More on Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Component, Finds CAG
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), which had agreed to build a major component of the Russian-made Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) on its own to save cost, ended up spending Rs 706 crore (US$110 million) more, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has said. According to the report, the cost of Russian scope in building the plant was nearly $1,600 million during initial negotiations between the NPCIL and Russia’s Atomstroyexport. “Thus, the NPCIL incurred an extra amount of Rs 706.87 crore as it did not conduct a cost-benefit analysis before agreeing to the shifting of scope,” the report said. http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/npcil-spent-rs-706-crore-more-on-kudankulam-nuclear-plant-component-finds-cag/story-Va4dfaauRV3MMi5MnF6MvK.html December 27, 2017
Beijing Plans Floating Nuclear Power Plant in Disputed South China Sea
Beijing’s efforts to assert territorial claims in the heavily disputed South China Sea via land reclamation and artificial island construction are “moving ahead steadily,” state media reported Tuesday, also revealing the latest project envisioned for the waterway: a floating nuclear power plant. The nuclear power plant will primarily provide power for people living in Sansha city, which administers territories throughout the Spratly Islands, the Paracel Islands, and the Scarborough Shoal and sits on Woody Island in the Paracel chain—territories also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. https://sputniknews.com/asia/201712271060366013-beijing-plans-floating-nuclear-plant December 27, 2017
Russia and Brazil Extend Cooperation in Nuclear Medicine
JSC Isotope is to supply isotope products to Brazil under a five-year agreement signed with the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN). Part of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, JSC Isotope produces isotope products, radiation devices, and medical equipment. CNEN is the government agency responsible for planning Brazil's nuclear power program. http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Russia-and-Brazil-extend-cooperation-in-nuclear-medicine-27121701.html December 27, 2017
Rusatom Service Delivers Second Block Transformer for Armenian NPP
Rusatom Service JSC has completed the delivery of the second block transformer for Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant within the framework of the plant's modernization project. Transformers are supplied to replace the outdated resources and are designed to increase the input voltage and transmit electrical energy to the power system during operation of the turbogenerator. https://www.armradio.am/en/2017/12/27/rusatom-service-delivers-second-block-transformer-for-armenian-npp/
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