We round up the past week’s news and updates from the world of Nuclear.
IAEA Reviews Progress of Kenya’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development, by IAEA: “Kenya, which has Africa’s seventh-largest economy and a population of 52 million people, is considering the introduction of nuclear power to help meet its growing energy demand. The Kenyan Ministry of Energy has proposed the potential use of nuclear energy for power generation. In 2019, the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB) transitioned to the Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) to undertake preparations for the development of a nuclear power programme.”
Nuclear waste recycling is a critical avenue of energy innovation, by TechCrunch: “Proponents of recycling envision reactors that use “reprocessed” spent fuel, extracting energy from the 90% of it leftover after burn-up. Even its critics admit that the underlying chemistry, physics, and engineering of recycling are technically feasible, and instead assail the disputable economics and perceived security risks.”
IAEA invites support for Nuclear Saves Partnerships, by World Nuclear News: “The Nuclear Saves Partnerships are an opportunity for companies to support the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in transferring nuclear science and technology to countries to improve the health and prosperity of millions of people around the world, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told delegates at the Nuclear Energy Assembly yesterday. The three-day virtual event was hosted by the US Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).”
Dungeness B: Kent’s last nuclear power station closes early, by BBC News: “The final nuclear power station on the Kent coast is to close ahead of schedule after issues found within the reactors rendered it beyond repair. Dungeness B shut for repairs in 2018, but had been forecast to begin producing electricity again in August. Owners EDF said defuelling would begin immediately and last several years.”
Cumbria, Lancs fusion nuclear bids make Govt longlist, by Place North West: “Moorside, next to the Sellafield nuclear complex in West Cumbria, together with Heysham near Morecambe, have made it through to the next stage of a siting competition to host the UK’s first prototype fusion power plant. Fusion nuclear represents the next generation of clean energy production but is currently only used in experiments. Government body the UK Atomic Energy Agency made an open call for site bids last year and nominations closed at the end of March.”
