Climate change is an often heard argument for the once called nuclear "renaissance". However, if one looks closer, there was something fishy about the industry using climate change protection as its most prominent feature... » Read more
More then thirty years of debate, and the controversy remains as polarised as ever. This website (to be fair - whose maintainer is anti-nuclear) collects news about nuclear power in Europe, sorted by nuclear power plant, type of power plant, country etc.
By presenting different (media) angles on current nuclear issues, we hope to be able to cut out some spin, either pro or against, and to allow the reader to make up his or her own mind about today's pro's and con's of nuclear power.
In the menu on the right you can select your country, the nuclear power plant in your neighbourhood, or your favourite company and read latest (most English) news about it.
Latest nuclear news
Fire at Finnish nuclear reactor construction site
Wednesday, July 30, 2008HELSINKI, July 30 (Reuters) - A small fire at the construction site for a new nuclear reactor in Olkiluoto, western Finland, spread to two floors of the reactor building, before it was put out, plant operator Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) said on Wednesday.
"A small amount of contruction materials had caught fire," TVO said in a statement, and added the fire was noticed at around 2:00 a.m (2300 GMT) and it was put out four hours later.
Nuclear renaissance may revive Czech uranium mines
Wednesday, July 30, 2008DOLNI ROZINKA, Czech Republic, July 30 (Reuters) - Renewed interest in nuclear power and high uranium prices may extend the life of Czech uranium mines or even reopen closed deposits, said the head of the country's sole, state-owned miner Diamo. The centre-right cabinet of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek gave the ailing industry a boost last year, allowing Diamo to explore uranium reserves at its only remaining mine in Dolni Rozinka, 180 km (113 miles) east of Prague.
Azerbaijan gets rady to go nuclear
Tuesday, July 29, 2008Flush with cash from energy exports, Azerbaijan is preparing to build its first nuclear reactor. Government scientists and officials tout the project as a sign that the country is now poised to flex its research muscles, but some ecologist warn of potential risks to the health and welfare of nearby population centers.
In June, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a preliminary agreement for the construction of a 10-15 megawatt nuclear reactor outside of Baku for research purposes. The $119-million reactor will operate under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Radiation Problems, which specializes in nuclear energy research.
Nuclear projects in central and southeast Europe
Tuesday, July 29, 2008A number of countries in central, eastern and southeastern Europe plan to build new nuclear power reactors or extend the life of existing ones to meet growing domestic demand and replace ageing power capacity.
The plans mirror a worldwide nuclear boom as part of the solution to climate change.
Workers evacuated at troubled French nuclear site
Tuesday, July 29, 2008PARIS, July 29 (Reuters) - More than 120 workers evacuated a nuclear power plant in southern France on Tuesday after an alarm was set off, the nuclear safety authority said.
Plant owner EDF said the alarm was triggered accidentally but the safety authority ASN said it would await an independent examination before making any conclusions.
Russia's Rosatom to bid to build nuclear reactor in Belarus
Tuesday, July 29, 2008MINSK, July 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russian state nuclear power corporation Rosatom has agreed to take part in a tender for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus, the ex-Soviet republic's energy ministry said Tuesday.
Belarus plans to build a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 2,000 MW, with the first unit to come online in 2016 and the second in 2018. The plant is expected to have Generation III water-moderated reactors.
Putin takes look at technology of nuclear fuel production for nuclear power plants
Tuesday, July 29, 2008ELEKTROSTAL, July 29 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has taken a look at technology of nuclear fuel production for nuclear power plants during his visit to the machine-building plant Elemash on Tuesday.
He was shown the whole technological chain – from production of “nuclear tablets” to heat clusters.
The plant’s director general Oleg Kryukov said “this is wholly our production - design, software and drawings; we buy parts abroad”.
Russia, EU to handle nuclear quotas in September
Tuesday, July 29, 2008Russia and the European Union will embark on a new round of negotiations to lift hidden quotas on Russia's nuclear exports in September 2008 during the Russia-EU summit, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko, said today. He reiterated that the two sides were currently negotiating a new cooperation agreement. In addition, the EU presidency is currently held by France, Europe's largest nuclear power producer and consumer. It's time to step up talks on the matter, Kiriyenko noted.
Cernavoda nuclear plant development may be delayed
Tuesday, July 29, 2008CEZ Romania expects the construction of the third and fourth reactors at the Cernavoda nuclear plant to be delayed about one year. On the other hand, CEZ bought in Eastern Romania a wind energy project evaluated at 100 million euro.
"We haven't been invited until now to continue the negotiations for the construction of the two Cernavoda rectors", said the CEZ Development Manager, Doru Voicu, who added that the company also waits for a response from Termoelectrica, in order to establish a partnership and build two thermal plants.
AD wants answers about Italian media reports on nuclear ambitions
Tuesday, July 29, 2008Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday appealed for the prime minister to shed light on a media report in which it was claimed that Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is considering Malta as a suitable spot for a nuclear power plant.
AD’s spokesman for sustainable development Carmel Cacopardo said the report featured in the Italian newspaper Il-Sole 24 Ore and mentioned Malta, Albania and Montenegro as possible sites for power plants. The report was compiled after a statement released in relation to Dr Gonzi and Mr Berlusconi’s meeting last week.