 |
24 June 2010
| Sweden formally repeals nuclear phase-out By a narrow margin, Sweden's parliament has repealed its 1980 ban on construction of new nuclear power plants. However, such construction will only be to replace the present ten units, which provide nearly half the country's power. Two reactors were closed for political reasons in 1999 and 2005, but this capacity has been replaced by uprating the other ten units. Parliament also agreed to amend the country's Nuclear Liability Act which has required operators to be insured for at least SEK 3300 million (EUR 345 million), beyond which the state would cover to SEK 6 billion per incident. Operators are now to have unlimited liability. However, Sweden had earlier ratified the Joint Protocol relating to Paris and Vienna conventions which set new limits of liability for nuclear damage: Operators (insured) EUR 700 million, Installation State (public funds) EUR 500 million, Collective state contribution (international) EUR 300 million => total EUR 1.5 billion. WNN 18/6/10. Nuclear Power in Sweden China sets up nuclear production line A nuclear technology base is to be established near Nanjing in eastern China featuring as its centrepiece a $146 million factory for pre-assembled structural and equipment modules for CPR-1000 and Westinghouse AP1000 reactors. China Huaxing Nuclear Construction Company (HXCC) will build this on the banks of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province. The modules, weighting up to nearly 1000 tonnes each in the case of AP1000, can then be taken by barge to construction sites. Nanjing is a transport hub, and the overall 51 square kilometre development zone will be served by a new river port including a bulk cargo terminal and 12 deep-water piers. Currently AP1000 modules are made by Shandong Nuclear Power Equipment Manufacturing Co which has the capacity to support construction of two reactors per year. HXCC is the main civil engineering contractor for China Guangdong Group. WNN 10/6/10. Nuclear Power in China. Construction start on new Chinese reactor First concrete has been poured for Haiyang unit 2, the fourth 1250 MWe Westinghouse AP1000 reactor being built in China, making a total of 24 now under construction. It is expected in operation in 2015. WNN 24/6/10. Nuclear Power in China. APEC energy ministers support nuclear power Energy ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum have agreed that the deployment of clean energy sources - including nuclear power- should be promoted in the region. The ministers instructed their Energy Working Group to "explore mechanisms to encourage economies to set individual goals and action plans for introducing low-emission power sources - renewable, nuclear and fossil-fuels with carbon capture and storage - [which] can allow electricity generation to expand in a sustainable fashion." The energy ministers note that "a growing number of interested economies are using nuclear power to diversify their energy mix and limit carbon emissions. These economies are reaffirming their international commitment to safety, security and non-proliferation as the fundamental elements for the peaceful use of nuclear energy." They add: "We therefore need to assess the emissions reduction potential of nuclear power in APEC." WNN 21/6/10. Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries Vietnam firms up plans for major nuclear capacity The Vietnam government has outlined plans for 14 nuclear power reactors providing 15,000 MWe by 2030 (10% of total). The first units are to be two at Phuoc Dinh in the southern Ninh Thuan province, constructed from 2014, and two at Vinh Hai in the north-central Ha Tinh province. Then four more units will be added at those two sites and then six more at three sites in central Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen provinces. The anticipated cost of the first two plants is not less than $11.3 billion, and some 85% of this would need to be found from overseas loans. It appears that Russia's Atomstroyexport is the leading contender to build the plants, though other bidders are active and technology transfer is an aim of government, leading to 30-40% local content by 2030. The first reactor is expected on line in 2020. WNN 24/6/10. Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries Other papers updated on the WNA Information Service (see WNA web site): World energy needs & nuclear power, Electricity & cars, Small NPPs, GNEP Country papers: China organisations, Iran, Japan, Russia World Nuclear Association, www.world-nuclear.org - UK ISSN 1326-4907 |
