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The tender for Turkey's first nuclear tender is likely to be cancelled due to the high price offer and a shift in the location of the plant from the south of the country to the northern Black Sea region, Vatan daily reported on Wednesday. Turkey's first nuclear tender to be cancelled due to high price-report Turkey's state-run power company, TETAS will submit a "negative" report for the price bid in the nuclear tender and submit it to cabinet for approval, the daily said.

Seven German nuclear plants have failed to generate any electricity this month due to technical breakdowns. They have about half the production capacity of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors, but Germany did not suffer any power shortages. The plants have between them a 9,000 megawatt (MW) capacity, but Germany generates more electricity than it consumes, and has been exporting some of the surplus to France, which is heavily dependent on nuclear power. Early this month, three plants shut down automatically due to failures in their transformers. The other four have been out of service for months, and are undergoing expensive repairs. The breakdowns come at a time when the planned phasing out of nuclear power is under attack. In 2002, the coalition government of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens decided that all nuclear reactors would be phased out by 2021. At the same time, the government launched a massive investment programme in renewable energy, making Germany the leading country in Europe in use of the sun and wind as energy sources. According to official figures, Germany generates 15 percent of the electricity it consumes from renewable sources. A law passed in 2008 sets a target of generating at least 30 percent of electricity through renewables by 2020. Additionally, on Jul. 13, a group of large German companies announced a joint investment of 400 billion euros (560 billion dollars) in setting up solar thermal plants in the Sahara, to generate at least 15 percent of all electricity needed in Europe by the year 2020. But Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Jul. 1 that she would reverse the phasing out of nuclear power if her Christian Democratic Party wins the general election in September, and can form a coalition with the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party. Merkel presently rules in coalition with the SPD. "Nuclear power remains an indispensable component of the German energy mix," Merkel told the annual meeting of Atomforum, a group represe

Seven German nuclear plants have failed to generate any electricity this month due to technical breakdowns. They have about half the production capacity of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors, but Germany did not suffer any power shortages. The plants have between them a 9,000 megawatt (MW) capacity, but Germany generates more electricity than it consumes, and has been exporting some of the surplus to France, which is heavily dependent on nuclear power. Early this month, three plants shut down automatically due to failures in their transformers. The other four have been out of service for months, and are undergoing expensive repairs. The breakdowns come at a time when the planned phasing out of nuclear power is under attack. In 2002, the coalition government of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens decided that all nuclear reactors would be phased out by 2021. At the same time, the government launched a massive investment programme in renewable energy, making Germany the leading country in Europe in use of the sun and wind as energy sources. According to official figures, Germany generates 15 percent of the electricity it consumes from renewable sources. A law passed in 2008 sets a target of generating at least 30 percent of electricity through renewables by 2020. Additionally, on Jul. 13, a group of large German companies announced a joint investment of 400 billion euros (560 billion dollars) in setting up solar thermal plants in the Sahara, to generate at least 15 percent of all electricity needed in Europe by the year 2020. But Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Jul. 1 that she would reverse the phasing out of nuclear power if her Christian Democratic Party wins the general election in September, and can form a coalition with the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party. Merkel presently rules in coalition with the SPD. "Nuclear power remains an indispensable component of the German energy mix," Merkel told the annual meeting of Atomforum, a group represe

Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. (TEPCO) announced August 30 the basic scheme and schedule for full-fledged payment of compensation for damages and losses caused by the catastrophe at its Fukushima I nuclear power station. The company established standards for calculation of compensation amounts in a wide range of areas, including limitations on shipment of agricultural and fishery products, losses due to rumors and other operating loss, cost of moving in response to evacuation orders, income loss due to inability to work, and mental/emotional toll. About 500,000 claims are expected for the time being. The company plans to mail out claims forms and begin accepting claims around September 12, and to start making payments in October. Some 6,500 workers, including 3,000 of its own employees, are going to provide services in compensation-related consultation.

"An anti-nuclear group will get another chance to prove calculations performed by Vermont Yankee engineers are not within safety margins to operate for another 20 years. The Petition Review Board for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has reversed a 2009 decision by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board which was tasked with re-examining an earlier finding by the commission that the plant's plans to manage aging equipment were "acceptable." The ruling allows the New England Coalition to submit a revised contention that proves Entergy does not have accurate information about whether or not their equipment will fail. "This is next chapter in the nearly four-year battle," Clay Turnbull, New England Coalition staff member said. "Entergy still hasn't shown they can monitor and manage the effect of aging due to metal fatigue." The contention filed by the New England Coalition to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2007, argued that Entergy, which owns and operates the nuclear power plant, does not include an adequate plan to monitor and manage the effects of aging equipment due to metal fatigue. "

Ministers are due to publish controversial plans to bury Britain's massive nuclear waste stockpile, as part of a campaign to persuade investors to build new nuclear power stations. On Thursday, Hilary Benn, the environment secretary, is due to publish a long-awaited white paper for dealing with Britain's 'legacy' of radioactive waste by asking for volunteer communities to bury the waste in deep underground vaults in return for government spending on things like health screening and infrastructure.

Plutonium suitable for nuclear bombs was secretly shipped last week from the controversial Sellafield nuclear complex to France on board an old, unarmed ro-ro ferry. The shipment - originally due to take place in March, but postponed after an outcry - is the first of several due over the next few years.

OTTAWA, May 16 (UPI) -- The world's oldest nuclear reactor won't be replaced due to budgetary and scheduling concerns, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. says. The Canadian energy group said plans to replace the reactor in Chalk River, Ont., wouldn't move forward due to those plans being over budget and significantly behind schedule, the Canwest News Service said Friday.

The German and French nuclear industries face numerous challenges and criticisms. Seven German nuclear plants failed to generate any electricity in July due to technical breakdowns. They have about half the production capacity of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors, but Germany didn't suffer any power shortages. The plants have between them a 9,000 megawatt (MW) capacity, but Germany generates more electricity than it consumes, and has been exporting some of the surplus to France, which is heavily dependent on nuclear power. Early in July, three plants shut down automatically due to failures in their transformers. The other four have been out of service for months, and are undergoing expensive repairs.

Nuclear power is considered by some energy experts to be the most effective answer to global warming due to the lack of C02 emissions. The only problem is the cost of building them, as well as the unresolved issue of what to do with radioactive waste. Technology has improved, and there is broad consensus that the new plants are safer and have reduced waste due to advanced reprocessing. But a new plant being built in Finland shows how big the problems are (see this New York Times article). The price for this plant went up to $4 billion and still isn't ready after four years construction. The article says a new plant would cost as much as $8 billion. (see our previous stories on the cost of nuclear projects in Florida here, and here).

Cogema Mining, Inc.; Establishment of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Pursuant to delegation by the Commission dated December 29, 1972, published in the Federal Register, 37 FR 28,710 (1972), and the Commission's regulations, see 10 CFR 2.104, 2.300, 2.303, 2.309, 2.311, 2.318, and 2.321, notice is hereby given that an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (Board) is being established to preside over the following proceeding: Cogema Mining, Inc. Irigaray and Christensen Ranch Facilities (License Renewal for Source Materials License SUA-1341) This Board is being established in response to requests for hearing that were filed pursuant to a Notice of Request to Renew Source Materials License SUA-1341, COGEMA Mining, Inc., Irigaray and Christensen Ranch Facilities, Johnson and Campbell Counties, WY, and Opportunity to Request a Hearing dated February 9, 2009 (74 FR 6436). Requests for hearing dated April 10, 2009 were filed by: (1) The Powder River Basin Resource Council; and (2) the Oglala Delegation of the Great Sioux Nation Treaty Council (Oglala Delegation), which also seeks ``leave to make filings by e-mail due to problems with the NRC's EIE document system encountered by [petitioner's counsel] due to computer system and software incompatibilities'' (Pet. for Hearing at 125)

NRC delays review of Entergy NY Indian Pt renewal * NRC delays environment report by three months * Delay due to new information from Entergy * Entergy filed for renewal in 2007 NEW YORK, Feb 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission delayed the schedule for the review of the renewal of Entergy Corp's (ETR.N) Indian Point nuclear power reactors in New York, the NRC said in an email Friday. In a letter dated Feb. 2, the NRC told Entergy, of New Orleans, it delayed the issuance of the final supplemental environmental impact statement until May 31. Earlier, the NRC had expected to issue that report on Feb. 12. The statement is the last report needed before the commission can make a decision on Entergy's request to renew the reactors' operating licenses for an additional 20 years. The NRC said it delayed the report due to new information from Entergy including replacement aquatic data and revised severe accident mitigation analyses. In April 2007, Entergy filed with the NRC for the 20-year extensions of the units' original 40-year operating licenses."

"Indonesia's plan to establish nuclear power plants remains unclear due to government indecision over who should operate them, says the National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan). The Batan, a focal point for preparing power plants in Indonesia, admitted the absence of a definitive decision on operators had hampered discussions on the plants. "No decision has been made on which organization will be responsible for owning and operating nuclear power plants," Batan chairman, Hadi Hastowo, told a seminar on the prospects of nuclear electricity in Indonesia on Thursday. The government has made the Batan in charge of the development and preparation of nuclear energy, while the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapiten) has been named the regulatory body."

"A man hospitalised after radiation exposure in the national capital earlier this month died due to multi-organ failure on Monday, doctors said. Rajender, 35, a worker at a shop in Mayapuri scrap market, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. He was shifted there on April 13 from the DDU hospital, where he was initially admitted. "He died due to multi-organ failure at around 9.30 pm. His condition had deteriorated. His TLC count and his platelet count had dropped drastically and he had developed pneumonia. There were signs of kidney and liver function impairment. He was on ventilator and was being administered multiple drugs," a doctor with the hospital said."

"Russia may help build a nuclear power plant in Syria, Russia's energy minister said on Tuesday, a step that could upset the West due to unresolved allegations Damascus tried to construct a potential nuclear weapons facility in secret. World | Russia In 2007, Israel bombed to rubble what Washington said was a nascent, plutonium-producing nuclear reactor in Syria's desert and a U.N. nuclear watchdog probe to determine what the target was has stalled due to Syrian non-cooperation, diplomats say."

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko criticised his government on Tuesday for slow progress on building a new shelter to encase the wrecked fourth reactor of the Chernobyl power plant, site of the world's worst nuclear accident. Ukraine signed a deal in September 2007 with the French-led Novarka consortium to erect an arch-shaped shelter at the plant where a fire, followed by an explosion, occurred on April 26, 1986, sending radiation billowing over parts of central Europe. This project was due to be completed over four to five years at a cost of $1.39 billion. A second deal with U.S.-based Holtec International foresees building a facility to house spent nuclear fuel from reactors. Turning on his political rival Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Yushchenko told a national security meeting: "We have had three international conferences, more than $900 million in resources have been brought together ... why is there an empty building site today?".

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko criticised his government on Tuesday for slow progress on building a new shelter to encase the wrecked fourth reactor of the Chernobyl power plant, site of the world's worst nuclear accident. Ukraine signed a deal in September 2007 with the French-led Novarka consortium to erect an arch-shaped shelter at the plant where a fire, followed by an explosion, occurred on April 26, 1986, sending radiation billowing over parts of central Europe. This project was due to be completed over four to five years at a cost of $1.39 billion. A second deal with U.S.-based Holtec International foresees building a facility to house spent nuclear fuel from reactors. Turning on his political rival Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Yushchenko told a national security meeting: "We have had three international conferences, more than $900 million in resources have been brought together ... why is there an empty building site today?".

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko criticised his government on Tuesday for slow progress on building a new shelter to encase the wrecked fourth reactor of the Chernobyl power plant, site of the world's worst nuclear accident. Ukraine signed a deal in September 2007 with the French-led Novarka consortium to erect an arch-shaped shelter at the plant where a fire, followed by an explosion, occurred on April 26, 1986, sending radiation billowing over parts of central Europe. This project was due to be completed over four to five years at a cost of $1.39 billion. A second deal with U.S.-based Holtec International foresees building a facility to house spent nuclear fuel from reactors. Turning on his political rival Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Yushchenko told a national security meeting: "We have had three international conferences, more than $900 million in resources have been brought together ... why is there an empty building site today?".

Tokyo Electric Power could face 2 trillion yen ($23.6 bln) in special losses in the current business year to March 2012 to compensate communities near its crippled nuclear plant, JP Morgan said in a research report obtained by Reuters. Shares of Tokyo Electric, commonly known as Tepco, have lost about three-fourths of their value since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami tore through the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, causing it to leak radiation. The government has evacuated people living in a 20 km (12 miles) radius of the plant and announced on Monday that it would encourage people to leave certain areas beyond that exclusion zone due to accumulated radiation. As Tepco has struggled to contain the crisis, analysts have struggled to come up with viable estimates for the financial burden facing the utility given the unprecedented scale of the problem and uncertainty over the likely degree of government support. JP Morgan said Tepco could face 554 billion yen of extraordinary losses in the financial year ended last month for scrapping the crippled plant and bringing thermal power plants back on line. It estimated that Tepco would have to shoulder 600 billion yen in extra costs due to increased use of thermal power in the financial year to March 2012, and some 2 trillion yen in damages to compensate local communities. JP Morgan said how a law governing such cases is interpreted would be key in determining the company's liabilities. "A key issue concerning damage compensation is whether the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident is considered an unavoidable natural disaster," JP Morgan analyst Tomohiro Jikihara wrote in the report. "In the case of losses, Tepco also bears liability. We assume compensation of 2 trillion yen."

"Some farm products such as strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce were not exported at all in May, according to foreign trade statistics, apparently due to concerns over the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Japanese farm products are popular in Europe, the United States and Asia. The recent statistics shows that those products are suffering serious losses due to fears about nuclear contamination. According to statistics released by the Finance Ministry, the volume of strawberries exported was 30,267 kilograms in February and 19,262 kilograms in March. The numbers declined sharply to 419 kilograms in April--a 94 percent drop from the same month last year--and to zero in May. Strawberries are produced mainly in Tochigi, Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures and sent mostly to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. "

Exelon Corp's (EXC.N) 619-megawatt Oyster Creek nuclear power station in New Jersey shut from full power on Feb. 1 due to a main transformer fire, the company said in a release. The company declared an unusual event because the fire lasted longer than 15 minutes. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes with help from the offsite fire department. An unusual event is the lowest of the NRC's emergency classifications. The company said the fire did not damage anything but the transformer

Divers had cleared away enough jellyfish from ocean water intake racks at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power station in California that officials were "hoping" to ramp up Unit 1 toward full power on Wednesday, a PG&E Corp spokeswoman said. Unit 2, of 1,118-megawatt capacity, shut on Tuesday due to the jellyfish, remained shut and PG&E by Wednesday afternoon had no estimate when it could return to operation.

Germany's education and research minister has warned against demonizing nuclear power after two more reactors were temporarily taken offline, adding to the controversy over the future of atomic energy in the country. German Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan has cautioned against a demonization of nuclear power following the shutdown of multiple reactors across the country due to technical malfunctions.

Germany's education and research minister has warned against demonizing nuclear power after two more reactors were temporarily taken offline, adding to the controversy over the future of atomic energy in the country. German Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan has cautioned against a demonization of nuclear power following the shutdown of multiple reactors across the country due to technical malfunctions. In an interview with the Abendblatt daily on Saturday, Schavan, who is a member of Chancellor Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Party (CDU), said that those concerned about Germany's future energy supply "shouldn't demonize nuclear power."