THE WORLD'S NUCLEAR NEWS AGENCY

World Nuclear Review - week ending 25th July 2003

MOX 'First' For Russian Fast Reactor

Russia says that the Beloyarsk-3 fast reactor unit has burned 'its first 10 kilogrammes' of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel, manufactured from weapons-grade plutonium.

Atomic energy minister Alexander Rumyantsev said: "The legacy of Cold War, military-origin plutonium will be reprocessed for use (as commercial fuel) in nuclear plants this first experience at the BN-600 nuclear unit demonstrated high efficiency of the new fuel, and this work will be continued."

The Nuclear Society of Russia (NSR) told NucNet that this is the first time MOX has been burned in a Russian commercial nuclear power reactor, following similar experiments carried out at a research reactor at the Russian Institute of Atomic Reactors in Dimitrovgrad "several years ago".

Beloyarsk-3 began commercial operation in 1981 and has a net capacity of 560 megawatts.

Source: NSR

Original report: NucNet News No. 233, 21st July

Commercial Operation for Second Qinshan Phase Three Unit

Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) says that the second of two identical Canadian-style Candu reactor units at China's Qinshan phase three nuclear site in China has entered commercial operation.

The unit, 125 kilometres southwest of Shanghai, started commercial operation on 24th July after achieving first criticality in April.

Source: AECL

Original report: NucNet News No. 236, 24th July

New Ukraine Financial Package To Complete Units

The Ukrainian government has signalled its determination to push ahead with the completion of the country's Khmelnitski-2 and Rovno-4 (K2/R4) reactor units by next year - helped by a new package of domestic financial initiatives.

Energy and fuel minister Sergei Yermilov said on 15th July that completion activities were in "full swing", with increased capital investments and more builders and assembly workers. He also announced two specific initiatives: First, the ministry and state nuclear generator Energoatom have agreed that nuclear electricity tariffs will include an additional (unspecified) amount to aid nuclear investment, which will accumulate in a special state treasury fund - expected to realise the equivalent of more than 93 million US dollars (USD) for this year's K2/R4 completion works.

Second, the government is preparing a decree that will allow Energoatom to issue bonds to help finance construction activities for the units. The bonds are initially expected to raise an additional USD 56.3 million, with a further USD 37.5 million to be available at a later stage.

The president of Energoatom, Sergei Tulub, earlier announced that the K2/R4 project was now more than 95% complete, and that Energoatom was "doing everything in its power" to have the units enter operation as soon as next year. NucNet understands that the government intends to implement the new financial initiatives - whatever decision is eventually made by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in terms of a loan for the project. Negotiations between the two sides have faltered for more than a year over the conditions for the receipt of a USD 215 million completion loan.

Source: International Chernobyl Centre

Original report: NucNet Business News No. 41, 18th July

Independence For UK Radwaste Management Body

The UK government has announced that the country's radioactive waste management body, Nirex, will be made independent of the atomic industry.

Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Margaret Beckett, told parliament on 16th July: "The government will consult Nirex shareholders on the best way of making Nirex independent of industry, and under greater government control." Ms Beckett added that the government would "announce the appropriate way forward" in the autumn.

Nirex managing director Chris Murray said: "This is a truly significant moment in this country's ongoing efforts to deal with its nuclear legacy."

Nirex was established in 1982 to research, develop and operate radioactive waste disposal facilities on behalf of the nuclear power industry in the UK, with shares divided between BNFL, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, British Energy and the government.

Other UK reforms include the forthcoming creation of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), which will advise the government on the most effective strategy for the long-term management of radioactive waste. The former chief executive of the North Scotland Water Authority, Katharine Bryan, will be the chairman of CoRWM from October.

Source: Nirex / CoRWM / UK government

Original report: NucNet News No. 232, 18th July

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