Nuclear Energy

UN nuclear head meets Iranian officials amid enrichment concerns

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog was meeting with officials in Iran on Saturday, days after it was revealed that the country had enriched particles of uranium to near weapons-grade, raising new alarm over its long-disputed nuclear programme. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, declined to comment on his discussions during a press conference with the head of Iran's nuclear programme, saying the delegation's work was still ongoing. It's an atmosphere of work, of honesty and cooperation," Grossi said. He was expected to speak with reporters again upon his return to Vienna later on Saturday. Earlier this week, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency reported that uranium particles enriched up to 83.7 per cent just short of weapons-grade were found in Iran's underground Fordo nuclear site. The confidential quarterly report by the IAEA, which was distributed to member states on Tuesday, came as tensions were already high amid months

India, US making efforts for cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector

In the face of growing global concerns over energy security triggered by the Ukraine conflict, India and the US are giving a fresh look at exploring practical cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector after failing to move forward since inking a historic agreement over 14 years back for partnership in the area. Ways for bilateral cooperation in areas of clean energy including nuclear commerce under the framework of the India-US nuclear agreement of 2008 figured prominently in the talks US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey R Pyatt had with Indian interlocutors in Delhi on February 16 and 17. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Pyatt described India as a very crucial partner for the US in ensuring global energy security in view of serious disruptions in supplies of fossil fuel resulting from Russia's "brutal" invasion of Ukraine. Pyatt said the US supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "incredibly ambitious" energy transition goal of having 500 GW (gigawat

Govt trying to resolve issues with France on Jaitapur nuclear reactors

The government informed Parliament on Thursday that it was earnestly trying to sort out with France the issues pertaining to the construction of 1650 MW nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur in Maharashtra. "Much of the conflict of views on the two sides happened because of geopolitical reasons. We are, very earnestly, trying to sort it out and we are moving forward," Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said in the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour. He was responding to a supplementary question asked by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on the status of construction of nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur. There are technical, financial and civil nuclear liability issues that both sides have to resolve. India has announced plans to construct six 1,650 MW nuclear power plants at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri which could become the nation's largest nuclear power site once completed with a 9,900 MW capacity. Replying to another supplementary query asked by Muzibulla Khan of the BJD

India, France review cooperation in areas of nuclear energy, trade

India and France on Monday carried out a comprehensive review of their cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy, trade and people-to-people exchanges among others. The two sides took stock of the cooperation during talks between Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Secretary-General of the French Foreign Ministry Anne-Marie Descotes in Paris. Kwatra is on a visit to France from February 5 to 7. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two sides also discussed global and regional issues including climate change and energy transition. It said they also exchanged views on topical issues such as India's G20 Presidency, the conflict in Ukraine and the security situation in Afghanistan. "Both sides reviewed progress on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including on the various institutional dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, civil nuclear domain, on cooperation vis-a-vis the UNSC given the end of India's term, and the people-to-people and cultural sphere," it

Swedish govt to amend law to be able to build more nuclear power plants

Sweden's centre-right coalition government said on Wednesday it will present legislation that will enable the construction of new nuclear power stations. We are now changing the legislation, making it possible to build more reactors in more places than is possible today, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference. It was unclear when the government will present the law proposal. Sweden's environmental law sets a cap of 10 reactors, and new nuclear power plants may only be built in places where there are already reactors. The government want these provisions to be removed. The plan is to have the amendment enter into force in March 2024. There are currently six nuclear reactors at three locations: Forsmark, Oskarshamn and Ringhals. Romina Pourmokhtari, the minister in charge of climate and environment, said the new reactors may be smaller and must be built where they do the most good. We also see that other countries are building small reactors, instead of a fe

Russia, IAEA discuss safety of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Russian officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held a new round of consultations in Moscow on cooperation in ensuring the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Holy grail: Limitless and zero-carbon fusion energy a step closer

But there's still a long way to create a viable tech for this

US adds 6 Pakistani firms to 'unsafeguarded' nuclear proliferation list

The United States has placed six Pakistani companies on its entity list for missile proliferation and unsafe-guarded nuclear activity

What is a small modular nuclear reactor?

To meet the rising electricity demand, the government recently said that it is exploring building small modular reactors. But what are they? Let's find out

India eyes smaller nuclear reactors for clean energy transition: Minister

India is taking steps for the development of small modular Reactors with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfil its commitment to transitioning towards clean energy, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said Sunday. At a workshop on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) organized by NITI Aayog and the Department of Atomic Energy, he said the participation of the private sector and start-ups needs to be explored in the development of this critical technology within India. He emphasised that technology sharing and availability of funding are the two crucial links for ensuring the commercial availability of SMR technology. Singh said the exploration of new clean energy options is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadmap for clean energy transition through bold climate commitments which are reflected in the updated Nationally Determined Contributions. SMRs with up to 300 MW capacity, by nature, are flexible in design and require a smaller footprint, Singh said, adding that being mobile and agile .

China plans to build its first moon base powered by nuclear energy by 2028

China plans to build its first base on the moon by 2028, ahead of landing astronauts there in subsequent years as the country steps up its challenge to NASA's dominance in space exploration

How small modular nuclear reactors may help India to meet energy goals

The adoption of the SMR route could also end the difficult route of developing nuclear technology India has been attempting since the 1950s

A new dawn for nuclear energy?

Small modular reactors can have enormous implications for energy transition in India

IAEA mission arrives at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

In recent weeks, the site of the power plant has been attacked by days of shelling, sparking international concerns about safety of the plant

Maharashtra focusing on solar, nuclear power generation: Dy CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday informed visiting US senator Jon Ossoff that the state is increasing the use of solar power in the agriculture sector and also focusing on nuclear energy generation, officials said. Fadnavis's statement came on the backdrop of the Union government giving in-principle nod for setting up six nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra with a total capacity of 9,900 MW. Ossoff, senator from Georgia, along with a delegation led by consul general Mike Hankey met Fadnavis here, said a statement by the Maharashtra government. Fadnavis also invited US firms to invest in Maharashtra in areas like energy, agriculture technology and skill development, the release added.

Some environmentalists are sadly 'anti-human': Musk on nuclear energy

Elon Musk slammed some environmentalists for being "anti-human" when it comes to increasing nuclear power generation that could replace fossil fuels in the future

Japan sets eyes on nuclear energy production as part of go green agenda

Japan has decided to restart its inactive nuclear power plants as well as develop the next-generation reactors to avert an energy crisis and go green

Narendra Modi's nuclear power push gains traction as NTPC eyes new plants

A venture between NTPC Ltd. and India's monopoly nuclear developer is in advanced talks with the government to develop two 700-megawatt reactors in the central state of Madhya Pradesh

EU lawmakers back natural gas, nuclear energy as sustainable activities

The green labeling system from the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, defines what qualifies as an investment in sustainable energy.

World energy crisis would be even worse without China's rainy season

Hydro is still China's biggest carbon-free energy resource, accounting for about as much power as solar, wind and nuclear combined, although growth has flattened as topography limits expansion