NUKE NEWZ
Swedish Industrial Giants Bet Big on Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Sweden’s biggest industrial firms have signed an agreement with Vattenfall to become shareholders in the power giant’s new company, Videberg Kraft AB, which plans to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in the country.
One of Europe’s top electric utilities, Vattenfall, created Videberg Kraft AB in April this year as a separate entity to be able to apply for government support.
Now the company and the industry organization, Industrikraft, plan joint investment and collaboration enabling the development of new nuclear power in Sweden.
Industrikraft, whose members include Volvo Group, Saab, Alfa Laval, and Hitachi Energy, will become a shareholder in Videberg Kraft with a 20-percent stake.
The government has previously announced that the state also intends to become a shareholder in the new company.
Industrikraft will invest $42 million (400 million Swedish crowns) in Videberg Kraft. In addition to co-financing the project, the industry contributes with resources and capabilities in project execution and selection of technologies.
The Swedish government moved to phase out nuclear power completely in 1980, but that decision was reversed by Parliament in 2010. Five years later, four aging reactors were shut down. Six of 12 reactors remain in operation in Sweden today.
The country is now betting on SMRs to expand its nuclear fleet as Stockholm seeks to further reduce emissions with low-carbon 24/7 energy.
Sweden has tweaked its renewable energy policy, which had called for 100% renewable electricity by 2040, changing the terminology to “100% fossil-free” electricity, paving the way for the construction of more nuclear power plants.
The Parliament of Sweden approved in late 2023 a new energy bill, paving the way for the construction of additional nuclear reactors beyond the 10 originally approved.
Vattenfall in August shortlisted U.S. firm GE Vernova and British company Rolls-Royce SMR as potential suppliers of SMRs. Both suppliers could deliver within a reasonable timeframe and budget, taking into account the conditions of the Värö Peninsula along the Swedish west coast, Vattenfall said in August, adding that the process now continues towards selecting a final supplier.
By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com
Construction of UNITY-2 under way
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Fusion Fuel Cycles (FFC) was established as a joint venture between Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and Japan's Kyoto Fusioneering (KF) to develop and deploy deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion fuel cycle technologies. The first project under this initiative is UNITY-2, a groundbreaking integrated and flexible fuel cycle test facility. This facility will pioneer the full D-T fuel cycle from fuel discharge to purification and supply, demonstrating efficient tritium processing technology in relevant conditions and at relevant rates to enable a risk-reduced path to a fusion power plant on a decadal timeframe.
Construction crews have now mobilised to begin dismantling legacy equipment, clearing space for facility upgrades and the installation of UNITY-2 process systems.
Designed to support the practical realisation of fusion energy, UNITY-2 will enable continuous circulation of up to 30 grams of tritium in a 24-hour operational cycle, with the ability to expand to 100 grams under the existing building license. The facility will integrate and demonstrate all key fuel cycle technologies - from fuel injection and exhaust to impurity removal, isotope separation, and tritium storage - under prototypic fusion-relevant conditions.
"UNITY-2 represents a critical step toward realising fusion pilot plants and fusion-powered electricity demonstration facilities," Kyoto Fusioneering said. "As countries including the US, UK, Germany, and Japan accelerate efforts to construct such plants from the late 2020s into the early 2030s, the ability to safely and efficiently operate integrated tritium fuel cycle systems becomes indispensable. Without facilities like UNITY-2, the transition from experimental fusion reactors to electricity-producing systems would face insurmountable risks and delays.
"FFC, KF and CNL - together with their partners - are proactively addressing this global bottleneck, delivering essential infrastructure and system-level validation that will underpin the success of commercial fusion energy. UNITY-2 is not only a technology demonstration - it is an enabling platform that bridges today's R&D and tomorrow's fusion-powered energy systems."
Commissioning of the UNITY-2 is anticipated in late 2026 with hiring for the project expected to begin shortly after to support commissioning and eventual operational activities in late 2026 and early 2027, CNL said.
In August, Fusion Fuel Cycles reached an agreement with California-based General Atomics to finalise a USD20 million, ten-year strategic investment into the UNITY-2 project.
Potential sites identified for Helsinki SMR plant
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Helen - which currently produces heat, electricity and cooling in power plants and heating plants in different parts of Helsinki - is aiming for carbon-neutral energy production during the 2030s. In September 2024, the company launched the first phase of its nuclear programme, aimed at constructing a small nuclear power plant for producing heat for Helsinki city. Its nuclear energy programme will evaluate small modular reactors (SMRs) based on proven solutions, which can be used to produce just heat or both electricity and heat. During the initial phase of its nuclear programme, Helen said it will negotiate with potential partner shareholders, evaluate plant suppliers and determine potential plant sites. The first phase of the programme is due to be completed in 2026.
Helen has now selected three potential power plant sites for further assessment. The sites in question are the Vuosaari and Salmisaari power plant areas and the Norrberget area in western Östersundom. With the exception of Norrberget, the sites are already being used for energy production operations and are managed by Helen.
"Helen's potential sites for the power plant are located close to the district heating network," the company noted. "The potential sites were chosen on the basis of a multifaceted process involving the assessment of environmental, economic and safety considerations, among others."
The next step of the nuclear energy programme is to launch an environmental impact assessment procedure for the potential power plant sites. The City of Helsinki is also preparing to launch related land use planning. Residents will have the opportunity to participate and be heard during both the land use planning process and the environmental impact assessment.
"The actual decisions on the site of the power plant will be made in the coming years on the basis of the environmental impact assessment and other studies," Helen said. "The land use planning of the power plant site will be handled by the City of Helsinki, in addition to which the site will need to be approved by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority."
"The new Helsinki City Strategy states that we are preparing for the possible placement of a small-scale nuclear production plant in Helsinki," said Helsinki’s Land Use Director Rikhard Manninen. "The land use requirements of the project will be assessed thoroughly and in a way that builds trust."
"Our studies have shown that small-scale nuclear power is the best way to achieve carbon-free, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, non-combustible, stable and reliable energy production," said Helen CEO Olli Sirkka. "The more detailed assessments that are now being launched will determine the suitability of the selected potential sites for the plant, and as part of the process we want to hear the views of Helsinki residents on the project and the site options."
The options selected by Helen for further assessment are plant types that generate heat only and electricity alongside heat, which can be built in the district heating network area with moderate area requirements
"Electricity production in Helsinki would balance the entire Finnish energy system and the strong fluctuation in electricity prices by generating stable, weather-independent electricity for the southern part of the country, where coal-based electricity production has been phased out in recent years and where the demand for energy is also expected to grow significantly in the coming years," Sirkka added.
In October 2023, Helen became the first energy company to engage in cooperation with Steady Energy by signing a letter of intent aimed at enabling an investment in a small-scale nuclear power plant for the production of district heating. Valid until 2027, the agreement includes promoting the reform of the Finnish Nuclear Energy Act, applying for a siting licence and a technological permit, and fixing the contract price of the plant. It would also enable Helen to procure up to ten reactor units with an output of 50 MW from Steady Energy.
In November 2022, Helen announced a joint study with Finnish utility Fortum - operator of the Loviisa nuclear power plant - to explore possible collaboration in new nuclear power, especially SMRs. The companies formed a study group to explore possible synergy benefits for the two firms.
French-Italian industrial partnership for Nuward SMR development
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Maire said the MoU - signed last week during World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris - "aligns with Maire Group and NextChem's strategic objective to collaborate with nuclear technology providers developing small and advanced modular nuclear technologies (SMR/AMR) by delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. The collaboration supports NextChem's vision for its 'E-Factory for Low-Carbon Chemistry and Data Centres', promoting the integration of low-carbon energy sources into industrial processes and digital infrastructure to enable electrification and decarbonisation".
In line with this vision, NextChem recently launched NEXT-N, a joint venture with France-based innovative reactor developer Newcleo dedicated to developing new intellectual property for the conventional island and providing highly qualified technical services for next-generation nuclear power plants. The initiative leverages Maire's capabilities, including those of its sister company Tecnimont, known for its project delivery expertise and state-of-the-art modularisation approach, which optimises construction and planning, reducing both time and costs.
"We are proud to partner with leading players to support the production of nuclear electrons through SMRs to develop efficient energy for the downstream industrial and digital needs, in line with our vision of the E-Factory," said Nextchem Managing Director Fabio Fritelli. "Our goal is also to foster a highly qualified European supply chain which is essential to truly industrialise the new energy transition paradigm."
The Nuward project was launched in September 2019 by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, EDF, Naval Group and TechnicAtome. The Nuward - consisting of a 340 MWe SMR plant with two pressurised water reactors (PWRs) of 170 MWe each - has been jointly developed using France's experience in PWRs. The technology is intended to replace old high CO2-emitting coal, oil and gas plants around the world and support other applications such as hydrogen production, urban and district heating or desalination.
According to Nuward's previously announced small modular reactor (SMR) roadmap, the detailed design and formal application for a new nuclear facility was scheduled to begin in 2026, followed by first concrete in France in 2030 with the construction of that first unit anticipated to take about three years.
However, in July 2024, EDF said that in response to feedback from potential European customers it planned to optimise the Nuward design, focusing on existing and proven technologies, in order to guarantee that project deadlines and budgets are met.
In January this year. Nuward said: "The studies conducted in recent months have been decisive: Nuward has refined its SMR strategy to fully meet the expectations of the utilities and industry. The Nuward SMR will deliver 400 MW of power and offer an option for cogeneration, up to approximately 100 MWt. It will rely on well-known and perfectly mastered technological building blocks within the nuclear sector to offer a safe product adapted to market needs."
The company said the aim now is to finalise the conceptual design of the reactor by mid-2026 and "market a product for the 2030s", with a first-of-a-kind reactor built in France.
Westinghouse to supply fuel to Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant
The announcement of the USD114 million deal came as Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and US President Donald Trump held talks in which, Orbán said, they "did not find a single essential issue on which our countries disagreed".
A memorandum of understanding, the White House said, "signals our intent to start negotiations to facilitate cooperation across the civil nuclear industry, including small modular reactors and spent fuel storage. The United States and Hungary are collaborating to make Budapest a hub of the emerging Central European SMR market, deploying market-leading US nuclear innovation to jumpstart a new transatlantic industry. Hungary signaled it intends to support construction of up to 10 SMRs with a potential value of up to USD20 billion".
Károly Mátrai, CEO of MVM Group, said: "Our agreement with Westinghouse is a clear response to today's energy challenges … will make the operation of Paks Nuclear Power Plant safer and more flexible. The diversified fuel procurement reduces external exposures, provides predictability and affordable energy for families and corporate customers."
Tarik Choho, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel President, said: "We look forward to delivering Westinghouse VVER fuel to Paks and to work with Hungary on its fuel diversification goals. With this contract, we now serve all VVER operators in Europe and Ukraine, helping them increase their security of supply."
In the past, fuel for the VVER reactors has been supplied by Russia. However Westinghouse has been increasing its customer base for VVER fuel, including in Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Finland. As part of its diversification strategy Hungary is also due to get VVER-440 fuel supplies from France's Framatome from 2027.
According to the official government About Hungary news service the US also agreed to exempt Hungary from any energy-related Russian sanctions affecting, or potentially affecting, the Paks II nuclear power plant project.
The Paks plant, 100 kilometres south of Budapest, currently comprises four Russian-supplied VVER-440 pressurised water reactors, which started up between 1982 and 1987.
That plant is set to be expanded with the Paks II project - an inter-governmental agreement was signed in early 2014 for Russian enterprises and their international subcontractors to supply two VVER-1200 reactors at Paks as well as a Russian state loan of up to EUR10.0 billion (USD10.5 billion) to finance 80% of the project. First concrete on the first new unit is expected to be poured in February 2026.
Russia and India discuss potential new nuclear energy projects
According to the Russian state corporation, the technical specifications for the construction of a new Russian-designed nuclear power plant in India with VVER-1200 reactor units are currently being prepared and new areas of cooperation are also being discussed, including the construction of small nuclear power plants of Russian design, with floating power units one possible option.
The talks included a review of progress at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant construction project.
The Kudankulam site, about 100 kilometres from the port city of Tuticorin at the southern tip of India, is already home to two operating Russian VVER 1000 pressurised water reactors which have been in commercial operation since 2014 (Kudankulam unit 1) and 2017 (unit 2).
Rosatom said: "Unit 3 is currently undergoing pre-startup operations and preparing for one of the most important milestones - the testing of the safety systems for the open reactor. In parallel, construction and installation work and the delivery of equipment to power unit 4 continues, and construction of the third stage - power units 5 and 6 - is also actively under way."
Two further units - Kudankulam 7 and 8, with larger VVER-1200 reactors - have been previously proposed as a fourth phase of the plant.
In its report of the talks, which were led in Mumbai by Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev and Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Director General of the Department of Atomic Energy of India, Rosatom said: "The discussion covered expanding the partnership, including developing large and small nuclear power plant projects and cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle. Particular attention was paid to the potential for localising equipment manufacturing. Meeting participants noted the valuable experience gained during the Kudankulam NPP project and emphasised their readiness to implement new major nuclear energy initiatives in India."
Likhachev said: "The Kudankulam project laid the foundation for our partnership and paved the way for new joint initiatives and technology exchange. We have built an effective system of cooperation and a reliable supply chain, which has become the foundation for the further development of new projects - whether large or small-scale nuclear power plants."
According to World Nuclear Association information, India currently has 24 operable nuclear reactors totalling 7,943 MW of capacity, with six reactors - 4,768 MW - under construction. (The Indian government often classes two units at Gorakhpur where site works have begun as being under construction, although the first concrete for the reactor buildings has not yet been poured.) A further 10 units - some 7 GW of capacity - are in pre-project stages.
India has a target to expand its nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047. It plans to achieve this by a two-pronged approach, with the deployment of large-capacity reactors as well as small modular reactors (SMRs). In August Minister of State Jitendra Singh outlined to the country's Parliament the three types of SMR that are being designed and developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre for demonstration: the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (sometimes referred to as BSMR-200); a 55 MWe small modular reactor (SMR); and a 5 MWt high temperature gas cooled reactor for hydrogen production by coupling with suitable thermochemical process for hydrogen production.
Zaporizhzhia’s backup power line restored
The agency’s Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: "As the damaged sections of the power lines were located in an active combat zone, this required complex negotiations with both sides to establish carefully coordinated temporary truce arrangements so that their technicians could work without risking their own lives. It took several weeks to get to this point, with the plant once again having access to two power lines. It is a good day for nuclear safety and security, although the overall situation remains highly precarious and our important mission in Ukraine is far from over."
The 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 power line was reconnected on Saturday evening, two weeks after the main 750 kV Dnisprovska line was reconnected. When both lines were down, the six-unit plant had had to rely on emergency backup diesel generators for the power it requires to power pumps used for cooling its reactor cores and usedt fuel.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said: "The repairs of the remaining damaged section of Ferosplavna-1 got under way on Saturday morning around three kilometres from the ZNPP's site perimeter after the area had been demined the day before. Technicians repaired a damaged cable between two pylons, with an IAEA team monitoring their work. The line - which had been cut since 7 May 2025 - was finally re-connected to the plant this evening."
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on the frontline of Ukrainian and Russian forces and has been under Russian military control since early March 2022. Before the conflict it was connected to the grid through 10 power lines, but that number has fallen since then and the site has lost all external electricity supplies on 10 occasions.
US lab begins TRISO fuel irradiation test
Pebbles of X-energy's TRISO-X fuel have begun 13 months of irradiation testing at Idaho National Laboratory to evaluate fuel performance across operating scenarios and qualify them for commercial use.
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TRISO-X is a specialised version of TRISO (tri-structural isotropic) fuel, fabricated into billiard ball-sized spheres - or pebbles - that will be used to power high temperature gas-cooled reactors, such as X-energy's Xe-100 small modular reactor (SMR). The TRISO particles from which the pebbles are made consist of a uranium, carbon and oxygen fuel kernel encapsulated by three layers of carbon- and ceramic-based materials that prevent the release of radioactive fission products. This novel structure means that the fuel cannot melt in a commercial high-temperature reactor and can withstand extreme radiation and temperatures that are well beyond the threshold of the nuclear fuels that are in use today, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE).
The X-energy Pebble Reactor Test - dubbed XPeRT - will see the fuel undergo irradiation testing in INL's Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), a pressurised water reactor which produces neutrons, rather than heat, to evaluate how TRISO-X fuel performs under various power levels, temperatures, and burnup conditions relevant to the Xe-100 SMR design. Post-irradiation examination at INL and Oak Ridge National Laboratory will measure the fuel's fission product retention and structural stability under the full range of expected commercial operating conditions.
Dan Wachs, the National Technical Director for DOE's Advanced Fuels Campaign, said the experiment cycle at ATR is "a huge one" for advanced nuclear. "The test marks INL's first irradiations of TRISO fuel for advanced reactors since 2020 and the first use a new lead-out test capability at ATR that makes these advanced fuel tests possible," he said.
Loading the TRISO-X experiment into the ATR (Image: INL)
TRISO-X has operated a pilot nuclear fuel fabrication facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 2016. It is planning to build two further facilities at Oak Ridge to manufacture its proprietary fuel for commercial deployment of the Xe-100, which is one of two advanced reactor demonstration projects receiving support through the DOE's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. The first of those facilities, TX-1, is already under construction. TRISO-X is also participating in the DOE's Fuel Line Pilot Program, established earlier this year to establish a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain for testing new reactors.
"What began in Oak Ridge as a pioneering effort to advance TRISO manufacturing is now leading the way in qualifying the fuel that will power the next generation of reactors," X-energy CEO Clay Sell said. "TRISO-X embodies decades of US innovation in fuel design and this testing programme brings us one step closer to redefining the standard for safety and reliability in nuclear energy."
The first deployment of the Xe-100 is planned for Dow’s Seadrift site on the Texas Gulf Coast, to supply both power and high-temperature heat to industrial-scale operations. X-energy and Amazon have also committed to the goal of more than 5 GW of new nuclear by 2039, starting with a joint plan with Washington state utility Energy Northwest to build up to 12 SMRs near Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station.
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