ANSTO begins decommissioning Australia's first reactor
Work has started on the first stage of decommissioning HIFAR, Australia's first nuclear reactor, which shut down in 2007 after nearly 50 years in operation.
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The 10 MWt reactor's full name is the High Flux Australian Reactor, but it is usually known as HIFAR. Located at Lucas Heights, near Sydney, ANSTO - Australia's nuclear science and technology organisation - is the reactor's licensed owner and former operator.
ANSTO CEO Shaun Jenkinson said the commissioning of the reactor in 1958 had formally ushered in Australia's nuclear age, with its distinctive white circular steel frame forming a prominent south Sydney landmark for nearly 70 years. "As a multi-purpose 10 megawatt reactor, HIFAR pioneered Australia's nuclear medicine production and silicon irradiation capabilities, and housed the first neutron beam research instruments - all of which paved the way for the sovereign capabilities we have here at ANSTO today," he said.
The reactor's fuel and heavy water coolant were removed within a year of its closure. In 2023, ANSTO submitted a licence application to Australia's nuclear regulator ARPANSA to begin early stages of decommissioning. After review, public consultation and assessment, ARPANSA gave its approval for the start of limited decommissioning in December 2024.
ANSTO Senior Project Manager Brett Wheeler said it had taken 10 years of planning and preparations ahead of ARPANSA's licence approval. "The job at hand for now is to remove only the internal infrastructure and radioactive components inside the 21-metre-tall facility," he said, adding that there are no plans to dismantle the exterior structure - including HIFAR's iconic white exterior shell - until later.
"A driving factor in starting the decommissioning work was to take advantage of the collective knowledge of the HIFAR team, many of whom are now approaching retirement," he said. "So it’ll be a fitting send-off for the decades spent working with such an iconic piece of Australia's scientific and engineering history.”
The first stage of Phase A of the decommissioning project is expected to be completed by 2026 and will include the removal of the six neutron beam instruments, two fuel flasks, rig support equipment, silicon storage blocks, the fuel assembly station, general utilisation equipment, and the control room. The next two Phase A stages and Phase B, which will include the decommissioning of the reactor core, will require additional approvals from ARPANSA.
Most of the waste generated from Phase A decommissioning will be solid waste that can be safely recycled after final characterisation, ANSTO said. The small quantity of radiological waste will be managed and stored safely onsite at Lucas Heights in existing purpose-built facilities, while any hazardous (non-radiological) waste, such as lead and lead-based paints, will be disposed of offsite at a purpose-built facility.
Construction of HIFAR commenced in 1955, and the reactor went critical in January 1958. It was officially unveiled by Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies in April that year. It was superseded by ANSTO's OPAL multi-purpose research reactor in 2006 and officially shut down by then-Federal Science Minister Julie Bishop in January 2007.
Cabinet moves to reverse Italy's anti-nuclear stance
Italy's Council of Ministers has approved a draft law calling for the government to adopt a series of legislative decrees to create the legal framework for the reintroduction of nuclear power, which was phased out following a referendum in 1987.
On 28 February, on the proposal of President Giorgia Meloni and the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, the Council of Ministers (the Italian cabinet) approved the draft delegation law on 'sustainable nuclear energy'.
The government said the text is aimed at "the inclusion of sustainable nuclear and fusion in the so-called 'Italian energy mix' and intervenes organically from an economic, social and environmental perspective, within the framework of European decarbonisation policies with a time horizon of 2050, consistently with the objectives of carbon neutrality and security of supply".
It added that the intervention aims to: ensure continuity of energy supply in the presence of a constant increase in demand and promote the achievement of energy independence; contribute to the decarbonisation objectives necessary to tackle climate change; and ensure the sustainability of costs borne by end users and the competitiveness of the national industrial system.
The draft law says that Italy should make "a clear break ... with respect to the nuclear plants of the past" and "use of the best available technologies, including modular and advanced technologies". It calls for the government to establish an independent authority for the regulation, supervision and control of nuclear infrastructures.
"Promoters of nuclear projects must provide adequate financial and legal guarantees to cover the costs of construction, operation and decommissioning of the plants and for risks, even those not directly attributable to them, arising from nuclear activity," it adds.
The draft law requires the government to adopt a series of legislative decrees, within 12 months of entry into force, to "organically regulate the entire life cycle of the new sustainable energy, through the drafting of a national programme: from the testing, localisation, construction and operation of the new reactors, to the issue of manufacturing and reprocessing of the fuel will be addressed in a circular economy vision". It will also "serve to provide training and information tools, train new technicians and professionals in the sector, and identify benefits for the territories involved".
The draft law will now be submitted to parliament for final approval.
"With the latest generation nuclear, together with renewables, we will be able to achieve the objectives of decarbonisation, guaranteeing the full energy security of the country," Minister Pichetto Fratin said. "In this way, Italy is ready to face the challenges of the future."
The background
Italy operated a total of four nuclear power plants starting in the early 1960s but decided to phase out nuclear power in a referendum that followed the 1986 Chernobyl accident. It closed its last two operating plants, Caorso and Trino Vercellese, in 1990.
In late March 2011, following the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the Italian government approved a moratorium of at least one year on construction of nuclear power plants in the country, which had been looking to restart its long-abandoned nuclear programme.
The public mood has changed since then, and in May 2023, the Italian Parliament approved a motion to urge the government to consider incorporating nuclear power into the country's energy mix. In September last year, the first meeting was held of the National Platform for a Sustainable Nuclear, set up by the government to define a time frame for the possible resumption of nuclear energy in Italy and identify opportunities for the country's industrial chain already operating in the sector.
Italy's government included potential nuclear capacity - up to 16 GW/20-22% of capacity by 2050 - in its National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, which was submitted to the European Commission on 1 July 2024.
Speaking the following day at the Global Energy Transition Congress in Milan, Pichetto Fratin, said: "We expect to be able to reach about 8 GW from nuclear power by 2050, covering more than 10% of the nation's electricity demand. This percentage may increase to over 20-22% by fully exploiting the potential of nuclear power in our country."
SMRs are emerging as a potential option for decarbonising mining operations, with Canada leading the way.
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are expected to help decarbonise mining operations in Canada, according to speakers at PDAC 2025 in Toronto.
“The question is no longer if SMRs will play a role in powering mining, but really how quickly we can bring these projects online and scale their development,” said Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Electrification, Stephen Lecce, speaking at the SMR Forum co-hosted by the Canadian Association of Small Modular Reactors and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
Lecce explained that the mining sector is experiencing surging demand for critical minerals, bringing with it growing electricity demand.
“We have been told by the Independent Electricity Systems Operator that [by 2050] we are going to need 75% more power. Mining’s demand will be even higher in the north, growing by 81% by 2050,” he said.
“This means we need to act today to ensure we have the reliable and affordable power required to build out that demand.”
According to the Ontario Mining Association, there are currently 36 active mining operations in the province and 32 significant exploration projects, mostly focused on critical minerals.
John Arthur Gorman, president of Westinghouse Canada, also stated that the country’s “biggest challenge is decarbonising its heavy industry, mining and other natural resources sectors” for which “small modular reactors are so vitally important”.
Lecce said that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is expected to give the green light for construction of unit 1 of the Darlington new nuclear project “later this year”.
The project involves the construction of four General Electric Hitachi BWRX-300 SMRs, with the first unit set to be in place by 2030, followed by three more in the mid-2030s.
“This won’t just be a milestone for our province but a defining moment for the global nuclear industry,” Lecce said.
In subsequent remarks on the PDAC exhibition floor, Lecce pointed to Canada’s vision to export SMRs, pointing to commitments with the Estonia, Czech Republic and Polish governments.
Despite the opportunity, a recent report by the NEA identified several barriers to SMR adoption at mine sites, including uncertainty around cost, regulation, permitting and public perception.
When evaluating an SMR programme, organisations could be considering up to 50 attributes spanning technology, regulatory, operational, jurisdictional and social implications, according to Norm Sawyer, president of ION Nuclear Consulting.
He also pointed out that the life cycle of a nuclear project is “100 years, cradle to grave”, while mines do not necessarily operate for this long. Speakers at the event also agreed on the importance of engaging indigenous communities early in the process, as well as the need for effective workforce strategies for SMR deployment.
Armenia is trying to attract US diplomatic attention by highlighting trade and investment opportunities in mining and nuclear power.
The US Embassy in Yerevan has shown support for Armenia's decision to guarantee a $150 million loan for a US-Canadian gold mining venture.
Armenia is considering bids from US, Russian, and South Korean firms to build a new nuclear reactor, potentially shifting away from reliance on Russia.
Armenia, a country making a geopolitical pivot away from Russia toward the West, is finding success in attracting US diplomatic attention by playing up opportunities for trade and investment in the mining and nuclear power sectors.
Since taking the reins of government in January, the Trump administration’s outlook on Eurasia has fixated on securing deals involving rare earths and nuclear power, underscored not only by the White House’s attempted minerals deal with Ukraine, but also via comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a late February conversation with Uzbekistan’s foreign minister.
Given the diplomatic focus on minerals in Washington, it is not a surprise that the US Embassy in Yerevan lauded the Armenian government’s decision on February 28 to guarantee a $150 million loan enabling a US-Canadian firm, Lydian Canada Ventures, to finish building extraction and smelting facilities for a gold mining venture. Environmental protesters forced a halt in 2018 to development of the Amulsar gold deposit and the venture had been in limbo since then.
“Armenia is open for U.S. businesses, and the U.S. Embassy is proud to support as we work toward a more prosperous future together,” read an embassy statement posted on Twitter, now dubbed X.
Meanwhile, Armenian officials are dangling the prospect that a US firm could build a new nuclear reactor in Armenia to replace the outdated Metsamor power station. Firms from Russia, the United States and South Korea have reportedly submitted bids. David Khudatyan, the government minister overseeing the tender process, did not provide an indication of when the winning bidder would be announced.
“We continue to study proposals for the construction of a new nuclear station. … A decision has not yet been made,” Khudatyan stated during a recent cabinet meeting. Current plans call for the new nuclear facility to become operational within 10 years. The aging Metsamor plant, which supplies about 40 percent of Armenia’s power needs, is slated to undergo a refurbishment in 2026 to extend its lifespan until the replacement facility can go into service.
Russia’s Rosatom will update Metsamor and was long assumed as having the inside track on securing the contract to build the new plant. But the rapid deterioration of Armenia’s and Russia’s strategic partnership, coupled with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s eagerness to secure US backing for his “Real Armenia” initiative to remake the country’s political culture, would seem to raise the odds that the United States could emerge as the winner of the bidding process.
By Eurasianet.org
Penn State applies to build Westinghouse microreactor
Pennsylvania State University has initiated the application process to construct a Westinghouse eVinci microreactor at a new research facility at its University Park campus.
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Westinghouse and Penn State signed a memorandum of understanding in May 2022 to partner on research and development efforts focused on exploring and applying nuclear engineering and science innovations to societal needs. The research initiative at the university is called FRONTIER (Forging a Renaissance of Nuclear Through Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Research). They also began discussions about siting a Westinghouse eVinci microreactor at University Park.
The partners have now announced that Penn State submitted a letter of intent to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on 28 February, the first step in the application process to install an eVinci.
"Today, the university announced its intent to make Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor a research priority," said Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State. "We believe this technology has the potential to change how we think of and use nuclear energy. And with Pennsylvania's and Penn State's rich history in nuclear research, FRONTIER is the team to lead this endeavour."
Tonya Peeples, Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering at Penn State, added: "We hope to leverage our legacy and produce new research using this new nuclear technology. We intend to advance and develop the skilled workforce needed in all areas, including engineering, construction, AI, operations, project management, licensing, safety, security, supply chain and many more."
As part of the application process, Penn State will continue to engage with the NRC and determine possible locations for the facility.
"Penn State's new University Park research facility will further solidify Pennsylvania as one of the world's leading nuclear innovation hubs," said Jon Ball, president of eVinci Technologies at Westinghouse. "We look forward to bringing our advanced eVinci technology to the FRONTIER programme to find new ways of harnessing nuclear energy while providing students and researchers with unprecedented opportunities."
Westinghouse says the factory-built eVinci reactor - which has very few moving parts - works essentially as a battery, providing the versatility for power systems ranging from several kilowatts to 5 megawatts of electricity. It can also produce high temperature heat suitable for industrial applications, including alternative fuel production such as hydrogen, and has the flexibility to balance renewable output. In September last year, the company became the first of three microreactor developers supported by the US Department of Energy's National Reactor Innovation Center to submit a Preliminary Safety Design Report, a milestone towards testing at Idaho National Laboratory.
Amentum awarded Sizewell C project management contract
US-based engineering company Amentum has been selected as sole programme and project management delivery partner for the planned Sizewell C nuclear power plant in the UK.
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As well as programme and project management, Amentum will support delivery teams from Sizewell C Ltd with digitally aligned project controls, engineering and technical services, and innovative infrastructure solutions for site management. The contract duration is until the plant begins generating electricity.
"Amentum's global programme management capabilities and international nuclear new-build experience will help us deliver the game-changing benefits and cost savings of replicating Hinkley Point C's reactor design, while supporting our commitment to creating jobs and skills in the UK and maintaining the national capability essential for the nuclear renaissance," said Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C.
"Our international programme management experience and the learning from our work at Hinkley Point C will help to advance a project which is crucial for job creation and economic growth across the country," said Andy White, senior vice president of Amentum Energy & Environment International.
The EDF-led plan is for Sizewell C to feature two EPRs producing 3.2 GW of electricity, enough to power the equivalent of around six million homes for at least 60 years. It would be a similar design to the two-unit plant being built at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, with the aim of building it more quickly and at lower cost as a result of the experience gained from what is the first new nuclear construction project in the UK for about three decades.
Sizewell C Ltd, a standalone company, is 76% owned by the UK government, which has pledged investment totalling GBP2.5 billion (USD3.2 billion).
The project is due to receive its Final Investment Decision in the government's upcoming Spending Review.
Norwegian regulator approves transfer of Halden licence
The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority has given its approval for Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning to assume responsibility for the nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor at Halden, which is to be decommissioned. It is now up to the government to grant an operating licence.
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Established as an agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries in February 2018, Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) is responsible for decommissioning the research reactors and other related nuclear infrastructure, as well as the safe handling, storage and disposal of radioactive waste.
NND submitted an application in December 2022 for a licence to own and operate the two Norwegian nuclear facilities in Halden and Kjeller, as well as the operation of the waste landfill for low- and intermediate-level radioactive material in Himdalen. The current licence holder is the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE).
Norway's two research reactors - the nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor at Halden and the JEEP-II neutron scattering facility at Kjeller - were declared permanently shut down by IFE in June 2018 and April 2019, respectively.
In December last year, DSA submitted a recommendation on NND's licence application for the Halden nuclear power plant. The licence is granted by the government, based on DSA's recommendation. DSA recommended that the licence should be transferred no earlier than 1 March this year, and pointed out several conditions that must be in place before the licence transfer. DSA announced that these conditions would be assessed in connection with NND's application for operating approval.
DSA has now said that NND has followed up on its recommendations.
"Based on a comprehensive assessment of the facility's technical condition, operating regulations, safety measures and emergency response plan, as well as the facility's management and personnel, DSA grants NND approval to operate the nuclear facility in Halden from the time NND receives a licence for the facility," it said.
"In assessing NND's application for operating approval for the nuclear plant in Halden, we have emphasised that the additional conditions we described in the recommendation must be met," said DSA Director Per Strand. "We now believe that they are, which is why we have given our approval for operation."
He added: "We now consider that everything is clear on our part for NND to take over the concession for the nuclear plant in Halden and ensure the safe operation of the plant."
Thorcon applies to build Indonesia's first nuclear power plant
PT Thorcon Power Indonesia has submitted documents to Indonesia's nuclear regulator, initiating the licensing process for the construction of a power plant based on its advanced molten salt reactor technology. A site at Kelasa Island, located in Central Bangka, is being investigated to host the plant.
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PT Thorcon Power Indonesia (PT TPI) - a subsidiary of Thorcon International, a Singapore-based company - submitted its Site Evaluation Programme (PET) and Site Evaluation Management System (SMET) documents for approval to Indonesia's Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN) during a meeting held on 13 February at BAPETEN's Jakarta office. It was presented by Thorcon Chief Nuclear Officer Kun Chen to BAPETEN's Deputy Chairman Haendra Subekti.
"With this submission, PT TPI officially becomes the first NPP licence applicant in Indonesia's history, positioning the country for a new era of nuclear energy innovation and development," Thorcon said.
It added that it is "fully committed to addressing any feedback from BAPETEN during the review process to ensure a swift and thorough evaluation".
The submission follows almost two years of pre-licensing consultations. In March 2023, PT TPI and BAPETEN signed an agreement to officially start a '3S' (safety, security and safeguards) consultation in preparation for licensing a demonstration 500 MWe Thorcon molten salt reactor. The consultation included: a review of the master plan document for the construction of the plant; consultation on the roadmap related to the reactor prototype and the Non-fission Test Platform (NTP) facility; preparation of technical and non-technical documents related to the reactor prototype and NTP required for licensing; and consultation on reactor design approval.
PT TPI's proposed plant is based on technology developed by the US DOE Oak Ridge National Lab in the 1960s. It will feature the Thorcon 500, a 500 MWe molten salt reactor (MSR) power plant, comprised of two low-enriched-uranium-fueled 250 MWe reactors in two replaceable, sealed 'Cans'. At any one time, just one of the Cans of each power module is producing thermal power. After eight years of operation, the nuclear module is disconnected, replaced with a new one, and towed to a maintenance centre for Can replacement.
MSRs use molten fluoride salts as primary coolant, at low pressure. They may operate with epithermal or fast neutron spectrums, and with a variety of fuels. Much of the interest today in reviving the MSR concept relates to using thorium (to breed fissile uranium-233), where an initial source of fissile material such as enriched uranium needs to be provided.
"Designed for modular manufacturing, the Thorcon 500 aligns with the highest international safety standards and is expected to play a key role in Indonesia's energy transition," the company said. "After the initial plants is successfully deployed, Thorcon intends to develop a local manufacturing assembly line for Thorcon reactors, fostering the growth of a new industrial sector in Indonesia."
A preliminary site survey conducted on Kelasa Island, located in Central Bangka in Bangka Belitung Province has identified the site as "a strong candidate" for the plant, Thorcon said. "The survey focused on safety, ecological, and site suitability factors, with initial results showing promise for further studies."
Kelasa Island (Image: Thorcon)
"We are thrilled to announce that PT TPI has become the first applicant for a nuclear power plant licence in Indonesia," said Chen. "This submission marks a historic moment for Indonesia, and we are proud to be leading the charge in bringing innovative nuclear energy solutions to the nation. We are fully prepared to collaborate with BAPETEN and undergo a rigorous evaluation process. Our commitment is to bring Indonesia's first operational nuclear power plant online by 2032 or earlier, supporting the country’s economic growth, energy security, and sustainability."
"We recognise and appreciate the efforts of PT TPI for their proactive consultations within the 3S framework," BAPETEN's Subekti said. "This approach ensures that all safety and security aspects are addressed and will help minimise technical and administrative obstacles as the licensing process continues."
The Indonesian government has committed to implementing an energy transition to reduce climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by encouraging research and development of renewable power generation technologies. The government is targeting 8 GWe of installed capacity to come from nuclear power plants in 2035, increasing to 54 GWe in 2060.
PT TPI said its proposed plant "will provide a stable, low-cost source of baseload electricity that will complement renewable energy sources like solar and wind".
Trial run at Finnish encapsulation plant completed
Finnish radioactive waste management company Posiva announced it has completed a demonstration of the functionality of the used nuclear fuel encapsulation plant at Olkiluoto.
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The encapsulation plant is part of Posiva's final disposal facility complex. Once the final disposal operation starts, used nuclear fuel will be transported from interim storage to the encapsulation plant where it will be packed into final disposal canisters made of copper and spheroidal graphite cast iron. From the encapsulation plant, the canisters will be transferred into the underground tunnels of the repository, located at a depth of 400-450 metres, and further into deposition holes lined with a bentonite buffer.
Posiva has now completed the Trial Run of Final Disposal (TRFD) at the encapsulation plant. The fifth and final canister used in the trial run - which began in August last year - has been encapsulated, subjected to a construction inspection, and transferred successfully to the underground storage at a depth of 430 metres. In the so-called retrieval test, one canister was retrieved back to the encapsulation plant according to plans.
"This was a significant milestone of the test production stage," said Posiva Production Director Karri Osara. "We are now in a good position and feeling positive to move forward and go underground to continue the Trial Run at the final disposal repository. We have an extremely high mindset to execute TRFD to a high standard and safely."
The Trial Run of Final Disposal next continues underground once individual tests have been acceptably completed on all the underground production equipment. During the Trial Run, the operation of the complete final disposal facility is tested. Instead of actual used nuclear fuel, the trial run is conducted using non-radioactive test elements. Areas identified at the encapsulation plant as needing improvement included adjustments of some equipment.
The government granted Posiva a construction licence for the project in November 2015 and construction work on the repository started in December 2016. Once it receives the operating licence, Posiva can start the final disposal of the used fuel generated from the operation of TVO's Olkiluoto and Fortum's Loviisa nuclear power plants. The operation will last for about 100 years before the repository is closed.
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