Centrus Energy to Supply HALEU Fuel to Antares Nuclear, Enabling Micro Nuclear Reactor Applications for Military and Space

U.S. nuclear fuel supplier Centrus Energy has signed a multi-year contract with advanced microreactor developer Antares Nuclear, under which Centrus will supply high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to Antares. This agreement is expected to expand the application scenarios of micro nuclear reactors to locations where traditional power sources are difficult to use, such as military facilities and space environments. As part of the agreement, Antares Nuclear will make advance payments to support Centrus in expanding HALEU production capacity in the United States. Compared with conventional low-enriched uranium, HALEU contains more uranium-235, with an enrichment level above 5% but below 20%. This new type of fuel can support smaller, higher-energy-density reac...

2026-09-18

Announcement of South Korea's U.S. investment plan delayed due to need to clarify related procedural issues

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Thursday that the announcement of South Korea's U.S. investment plan under the South Korea-U.S. trade agreement has been delayed due to the need to clarify related procedural issues, but he did not disclose further specific details. Cho made the remarks at the airport before departing for the United States, where he is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. According to officials familiar with the matter and media reports, the South Korean government this week postponed the briefing on the investment plan originally scheduled to be submitted to a congressional committee, and tentatively rescheduled it to September 22. South Korean lawmakers said that a dedicated briefing to the National Assembly is a core step before the two countries finalize the details of South Korea's massive investment commitment to the United States...

2026-09-18

US and OECD Nuclear Energy Agency Call for Unified Regulatory Standards to Break the Vicious Cycle of Cost Overruns and Delays in New Nuclear Power Plants

The U.S. Department of Energy stated that it is engaged in close communication with partner countries, aiming to promote the unification of global nuclear power regulatory standards, thereby accelerating nuclear power capacity expansion and reducing construction costs. During the New Nuclear Roadmap conference organized by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) in Paris, U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary James Danly emphasized to the media that countries should establish a unified regulatory mechanism. He pointed out that many countries have decades of mature experience in nuclear power regulation, and it would be very regrettable if unnecessary obstacles were placed on nuclear power development due to a lack of consistency in regulatory systems. The United States is currently actively promoting greater regulatory consensus among countries. The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency...

2026-09-18

First Batch of Radioactive Waste Transported from New Chernobyl Waste Processing Facility

The Industrial Complex for Solid Radwaste Management (ICSRM) at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant has officially shipped out seven containers of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste after completing waste processing. This batch of waste has been transferred to the specially equipped Near-Surface Disposal Facility for Solid Radioactive Waste (ENDSF) for final disposal. The Industrial Complex for Solid Radwaste Management officially began operations in May this year after obtaining a license from the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. The new complex is primarily used to process solid radioactive waste accumulated during the operation of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which has been stored in the solid radioactive waste storage facility since 1978. Chernobyl...

2026-09-18

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Foundation and MicroNuclear Collaborate to Advance Molten Salt Nuclear Battery Technology

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Foundation and MicroNuclear, LLC today announced a collaboration agreement to jointly advance the development of MicroNuclear's Molten Salt Nuclear Battery© (MsNB). The MsNB is a compact molten salt microreactor concept designed to provide stable power and process heat. This collaboration will support the next phase of MsNB development, including detailed engineering design, safety and licensing approval, prototype manufacturing, first fission testing, and the development of a reusable model for future deployment and commercialization. The agreement brings together complementary expertise in engineering, reactor technology, manufacturing, quality assurance, training, operations, and commercialization...

2026-09-18

Commissioning Preparation Work Begins for the Control System of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 in Turkey

The process automation control system of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 in Turkey has begun preparations for pre-commissioning signal testing, which will be carried out before the physical start-up of the reactor. The process automation control system is the core hub of a nuclear power plant, enabling plant operating personnel to monitor and manage all process systems that support power generation. Akkuyu Nuclear Company noted in its announcement that the control systems used in the units of Akkuyu NPP possess the extremely high reliability characteristic of Russian-designed units. The control safety system responsible for automatic start-up and management of active safety systems has excellent fault tolerance, with a failure rate indicator reaching only one possible error per 1...

2026-09-18

Idaho State University to Build Second Nuclear Reactor

Idaho State University will add a second nuclear reactor, injecting new momentum into the local energy future. On September 17, local and state leaders gathered on the Idaho State University campus to officially announce an upcoming new project. It is reported that the project will give the university a second nuclear reactor, marking another important step in the university's nuclear power research and education. On the morning of the ceremony, participants gathered along Alvin Ricken Drive to listen to the presentation. The 275-acre research park is adjacent to the planned reactor site and is officially called an "advanced nuclear microreactor," with the formal name "Advanced Research and Test Reactor." If the project proceeds smoothly, the new reactor will, together with the...

2026-09-18

Two UK nuclear companies sign memorandum of understanding to jointly develop nuclear microreactor

Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) and Cambridge Atomworks have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which the two companies will engage in deep collaboration on a UK-built nuclear microreactor. Cambridge Atomworks is an ambitious and vibrant nuclear engineering startup whose core goal is to build a nuclear microreactor in the UK for off-grid applications. The signing of this memorandum of understanding marks that the two companies will jointly explore how to maximize CVE's deep expertise in electron beam welding, including the company's Ebflow technology, which has been proven to significantly accelerate the production process of key nuclear power components such as reactor vessels...

2026-09-18

Deep Fission Discloses Safety Design Agreement for Kansas Nuclear Pilot Project

Deep Fission, the company building a nuclear reactor one mile underground in Parsons, Kansas, made its federally approved safety report public on Monday. The U.S. Department of Energy approved the company's safety design for its Gravity nuclear reactor in July of this year. A press release stated that the company publicly released the report, with only a very small number of details involving safety privacy redacted. Liz Muller, co-founder and CEO of Deep Fission, said in the press release that the company disclosed the complete Nuclear Safety Design Agreement because they believe the public has the right to see the true safety...

2026-09-18

The SM-1 Nuclear Power Plant at Fort Belvoir, United States, Has Completed All On-Site Decommissioning and Dismantlement Work

The Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced that the SM-1 nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, has completed all on-site decommissioning and dismantlement work. On September 9, 2026, at the closing ceremony of the SM-1 nuclear power plant decommissioning and dismantlement project held at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, leaders from the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Fort Belvoir Garrison, and the project contractor posed for a photo with the original 1957 building sign of the SM-1 nuclear power plant. The ceremony marked the successful completion of all on-site work related to the decommissioning and dismantlement of the nuclear power plant. The U.S. Army's SM-1 (Stationary Medium Power Reactor Prototype No. 1) is a 2-megawatt experimental small...

2026-09-17

UK and Cook Islands Sign International Legal Instruments, Reaffirming Commitment to International Nuclear Cooperation

At the annual treaty signing event held during the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, the United Kingdom and the Cook Islands each deposited relevant legal instruments, demonstrating their strong commitment to the international legal framework supporting the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that by acceding to such treaties, contracting parties not only assume important national responsibilities but also signal to the international community their dedication to building a solid legal framework to ensure the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technology. During the event, the United Kingdom deposited the ratification of the Amendment to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage...

2026-09-17

Indonesia is accelerating its nuclear energy development plan

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that, with the support of the IAEA, Indonesia is accelerating its nuclear energy development plan, including small modular reactors (SMRs). Grossi met with Arif Satria, Head of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), during the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna. The two sides reviewed existing cooperation projects and discussed the agency's technical support following Indonesia's recent earthquake, including the application of non-destructive testing technology and isotope hydrology technology...

2026-09-17

Focusing on Nuclear Safety Assessment and Future Strategic Priorities, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's Working Group on Accident Analysis and Management (WGAMA) Holds Its 29th Annual Meeting

The Working Group on Accident Analysis and Management (WGAMA), a subsidiary body of the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA), held its 29th Annual Meeting from September 7 to 9, 2026, at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris, France. Sixty-one delegates from 21 countries, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC), attended the meeting. Participants included experts from regulatory bodies, technical support organizations, research institutions, industry, and international organizations, who jointly assessed current activities, approved new projects, and discussed future strategic priorities in the field of accident analysis and management. As an international platform advancing the technical basis for nuclear reactor safety assessment, WGAMA at this meeting...

2026-09-17

An independent expert team has once again confirmed the environmental safety of Russia's Rostov Nuclear Power Plant

Recently, the annual ecological expedition involving students and researchers from Southern Federal University successfully completed its second phase, and an independent expert team has once again confirmed the environmental safety of Russia's Rostov Nuclear Power Plant. During the expedition, researchers collected 200 soil samples and conducted nearly 500 measurements of air γ radiation dose rates. These sampling points had been established long before the nuclear power plant was put into operation and have been used continuously over the years. Through analysis of these samples, experts were able to accurately assess the local natural radiation background. Dr. Yelena Buraeva, head of the ecological expedition team, briefed the media in detail on the monitoring results sustained over many years, emphasizing that 25 years of...

2026-09-17

Holtec SMR project receives regulatory approval to proceed with early site construction

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted Holtec International a regulatory exemption allowing the company to advance certain early construction activities for two small modular reactor (SMR) units at the Palisades Energy Center in Michigan before obtaining a Limited Work Authorization (LWA). Palisades SMR, a wholly owned subsidiary of Holtec International, submitted the first part of a phased construction permit application to the NRC last December for the dual-unit SMR-300 project (Units Pioneer 1 and 2). The application included a request for a Limited Work Authorization to allow construction activities to begin before a construction permit or combined...

2026-09-17

Canada's Cameco Signs Exclusive Offtake Agreement to Lock Up All Future Output from U.S. Paducah Laser Enrichment Plant

Canadian nuclear fuel giant Cameco has signed a new exclusive offtake agreement with Global Laser Enrichment (GLE), under which Cameco will purchase all nuclear fuel products from the future production of the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF) that GLE plans to build in Kentucky, United States. This major agreement was formally announced by Australia's Silex Systems. GLE was founded in 2007 to develop and commercialize laser-based uranium enrichment technology in the United States. The company is currently 51% owned by Silex Systems, the developer of SILEX laser enrichment technology, and 49% by Cameco. Silex Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mike...

2026-09-17

Unit 2 of Japan's Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Completes Periodic Inspection and Resumes Commercial Operation After About 7 Months

The Chugoku Electric Power Company (Japanese: 中国電力株式会社), a large integrated electric power company responsible for supplying electricity to 5 prefectures in the Chugoku region of western Honshu, Japan, announced on September 16 that Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant has successfully completed the periodic inspection that began in February this year and officially resumed commercial operation on the 16th, returning to power supply after about 7 months. According to Chugoku Electric Power's estimate, in the overall power source mix, nuclear power generation will account for about 15% of the company's total power generation for this fiscal year, and this level of generation is expected to meet about 60% of the electricity demand of the two San'in prefectures. In addition, since Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant has reached 37 years since it began commercial operation, Chugoku Electric Power also collected, during this periodic inspection, data used as the basis for assessing the "special inspection" required for future extended operation beyond the standard service period (exceeding the 40-year operating limit).

2026-09-17

Unit 1 of Japan's Ikata Nuclear Power Plant Enters the Second Phase of Decommissioning

The Ikata Town Assembly formally passed a resolution on September 17, determining that the plan to advance the decommissioning work of Unit 1 to the next phase starting from the next fiscal year is "appropriate." It is understood that Shikoku Electric Power Company has divided the decommissioning work of Unit 1 at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant into four phased processes to be carried out in an orderly manner. In July of this year, the company obtained official approval from Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority to commence the second-phase decommissioning plan, which includes the dismantling of equipment surrounding the reactor. According to relevant regulatory and local agreement requirements, the transition of decommissioning work to the second phase must obtain the understanding and consent of the local autonomous body. To this end, the Ikata Town Assembly specifically established a Special Committee on Nuclear Power Generation Countermeasures...

2026-09-17

India's Ministry of External Affairs: Will continue to deepen strategic cooperation with Russia in nuclear energy and continue to advance the subsequent construction of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs, stated clearly at a press conference that India is committed to continuing to deepen strategic cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy. Jaiswal pointed out that cooperation between India and Russia in the field of nuclear energy has a long history, among which the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project is a model of successful cooperation between the two countries in the energy industry. He emphasized that India intends to further expand its cooperative relationship with Russia in this field, and that the two sides currently maintain regular dialogue and communication, with relevant technical experts conducting professional discussions on specific matters. Jaiswal also promised that once new cooperation projects are established in the future,...

2026-09-17

Kazakhstan is negotiating with potential suppliers on the construction of a second nuclear power plant

Gumar Sergazin, Vice Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan, stated at the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Kazakhstan is currently engaged in active negotiations with potential suppliers regarding the construction of the country's second nuclear power plant. In his remarks, Sergazin emphasized that within the framework of implementing the national nuclear energy program, Kazakhstan is not only preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant, but is also consulting with potential partners on preparations for a second nuclear power plant. Sergazin noted that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved in April 2026 the...

2026-09-17

Unit 2 of the Czech Temelín Nuclear Power Plant shut down due to a control system fault

Unit 2 of the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant in the south of the Czech Republic has been taken out of service due to a fault in the control system of its non-nuclear portion. Marek Sviták, spokesperson for the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant, said that power engineers shut down Unit 2 of the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant that day because of a fault in the control system of the non-nuclear portion. After the necessary inspection and maintenance work is completed, the unit is expected to resume operation and return to power generation on Thursday of this week. At the same time, Unit 1 of the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant is currently operating normally at full power and has not been affected. In addition to the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant, the...

2026-09-17