THE WORLD'S NUCLEAR NEWS AGENCY

World Nuclear Review - week ending 19th March 2004

Japan's Kyushu Electric Aims To Use MOX By 2010

The Kyushu Electric Power Company has reaffirmed its intention to use mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel - probably at its Genkai nuclear power plant in southern Japan's Saga prefecture - "as early as fiscal year 2010".

Kyushu Electric managing director Kiyohiko Matsushita, who also serves as general manager of the company's nuclear power generation department, said on 1st March that he intended to make a formal request to local governments for permission to implement the programme "as soon as possible".

Nuclear industry insiders in Japan have told NucNet that Kyushu Electric's intentions appear to have "energized" discussions about the planned use of MOX and the setting up of explanatory meetings to renew public understanding and support. The company is also expected to start discussions about placing orders with overseas companies for MOX fuel.

Towards the end of 2003 the chairman of the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC), Yousaku Fuji, confirmed the industry's intention to move ahead on MOX. At a meeting with journalists, Mr Fuji said the FEPC had decided to "move ahead with pluthermal (MOX) implementation at those power companies where preparations are in order and local circumstances permit, and reconfirmed our goal of pluthermal implementation at 16-18 nuclear facilities by the year 2010".

Source: Japan Atomic Industrial Forum / FEPC

Full report: NucNet News No. 57, 12th March

Russian Atomic Energy Agency Established

The Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency was established 11th March though a decree by president Vladimir Putin, which abolished the Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom) in the process.

As a result, the newly formed Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Russian Federation comprises the Federal Atomic Energy Agency as well as the Federal Atomic Supervisory Service (formerly Gosatomnadzor, which had previously been under the office of the prime minister). In accordance with the presidential decree, the Atomic Energy Agency's functions will include legislation-execution issues and state and government property-management services, (which were also Minatom's responsibility). The decree also places the agency under the Defence Ministry in matters related to the nuclear defence complex.

The reorganisation of Minatom and creation of the Atomic Energy Agency are part of a major reorganisation of the structure of the Russian government taking place in the run-up to the country's 14th March presidential election.

Source: Nuclear Society of Russia (NSR)

Full report: NucNet News No. 58, 12th March

Canada's Bruce A and B N-Plants Receive Operating-Licence Renewals

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced 12th March its decision to renew the operating licences for Bruce Power Inc's Bruce A and Bruce B nuclear generating stations for five years through March 2009.

In making the decision, the regulator said CNSC staff would present status reports on the performance of Bruce A and Bruce B at the midpoint of the licence terms in 2006.

Bruce A unit-four was laid up in 1998 by the site's former operators, and was reconnected to the grid last October. It was followed by the return to service of unit-three on 8th January 2004. Bruce Power also announced in January plans to study the feasibility of restarting Bruce A units one and two as well - and of building "one or more" additional units at the site. Bruce B comprises four operational units (units 5-8).

Meanwhile, the CNSC also announced 12th March its decision to issue a heavy-water plant-decommissioning licence, valid through March 2014, to Ontario Power Generation for the Bruce Heavy Water Plant, located on the territory of the Bruce site at Kincardine, Ontario.

Source: CNSC / Bruce Power / OPG

Full report: NucNet News No. 60, 15th March

Spanish Nuclear Production Holds Steady In 2003

Spain's nine nuclear reactors, representing a total of 7896 megawatts (MW) of gross generating capacity, produced 61.89 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2003, just down from the level of 63 TWh in 2002 and the record of 63.6 TWh in 2001.

Overall energy production in Spain increased by 6.5% in 2003, reaching a record level of 262.24 TWh - due to a steady increase in electricity consumption. Fossil-fuel plants contributed to 41.5% of the total electricity production; hydroelectricity 14.7%; cogeneration 12.2%; wind 4.4%; mini-hydro plants 1.8%; biomass 1.4%; and solar power 0.001%; while nuclear enjoyed a 23.6% share (compared to 26% in 2002 and 27% in 2001).

On the whole, 2003 was positive for the Spanish nuclear sector. Particularly in view of the increasing demand for energy, the industry expects nuclear power to continue to provide base-load electricity to Spanish society in a safe and competitive manner.

Source: Spanish Nuclear Forum / Spanish Electricity Industry Association(UNESA)

Full report: NucNet News No. 63, 18th March

China Predicts Greater Reliance On N-Power As New Unit Goes On Line

Chinese nuclear officials have confirmed that unit two of the country's Qinshan phase two nuclear power plant site, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, was connected to the grid 11th March.

Plant general manager Li Yongjiang said the unit - a 575-megawatt (MW) Chinese-type Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) unit that achieved first criticality on 25th February this year - is due to enter commercial operation in June, and is expected to help alleviate power shortages in eastern China.

Separately, Kang Rixin, general manager of the China Nuclear Industry Group Corporation, has said that nuclear power is expected to become a major means of relieving China's power demands in the first two decades of the 21st century.

Source: China International Nuclear Industry Exhibition 2004 / Various

Full report: NucNet News No. 65, 18th March

New International Nuclear Yearbook Launched By NucNet

NucNet, the world's nuclear news agency, earlier this month officially launched its first yearbook - 'World Nuclear Year Review' - and international distribution of the publication is already under way.

Copies of the full-colour 36-page publication will be made available to NucNet's world wide network of national member organisations and subscribers, as well as being sold through NucNet Central Office.

The yearbook also provides a platform for the nuclear industry, its representative organisations and nuclear societies, and gives a taste of the authoritative news and information network provided by NucNet for those who may not be familiar with the agency's news services.

World Nuclear Year Review is on sale for 50 euros per copy, plus postage/packing (an order form can be obtained through the NucNet website or by writing to info@worldnuclear.org). NucNet member organisations and subscribers qualify for a 10% discount.

Source: NucNet Central Office

Full report: NucNet News No. 48, 2nd March

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