Recent News Summary: New Nuclear Plants Coming
from Community
by James Hopf, Action Team Leader
Support for nuclear power, by both governments and the public, has increased significantly over the last few years. Also, many countries and US states are making plans for new nuclear construction. Below is a compilation of recent stories that give specific examples:
Polls show increasing support for nuclear in the US. A majority supports *increased* use of nuclear, with majority support from both parties.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/18/growing-share-of-americans-favor-more-nuclear-power/
Plans are moving forward for a second large nuclear plant in Poland:
https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Approval-sought-for-second-large-Polish-nuclear-po
TX Governor Abbott expresses support for new nuclear in the state, and wants to “..position Texas as the national leader on advanced nuclear energy.”
https://www.oaoa.com/local-news/governor-abbott-touts-nuclear-energy-development-at-ut-fireside-chat/
Duke [Power, a large provider in the southeast US[ is considering two coal-to-nuclear projects, i.e., replacing two coal plants with SMRs. [Small Modular Reactors ]
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/duke-pitches-new-nuclear-reactor-at-north-carolina-coal-plant-1.1959932
Two companies are joining forces to build 4-6 SMRs in Virginia:
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/green-energy-partners-partners-with-nuclear-power-provider-ip3-for-virginia-project/
Two stories about Canadian reactors being restarted, after refurbishment or long-term shutdown:
https://www.ans.org/news/article-5247/bruce6-nears-a-return-to-service/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-nuclear-reactor-gentilly-2-1.6932355
Sweden states that they need to (and will?) triple their nuclear capacity by 2045. That would involve building 10 new reactors, and/or building a bunch of SMRs. Plans are being made.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/sweden-needs-to-treble-nuclear-power-as-electricity-demand-soars-1.1956784
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Swedish-regulator-proposes-framework-for-expansion
In historically anti-nuclear Taiwan, two of the three presidential candidates oppose the nuclear phase out policy:
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4966886
The UK is planning on tripling its nuclear capacity (from 7 GW to 24 GW) by ~2050. Bills Gates’ Terra Power, Rolls Royce and others are competing for the SMR build market:
https://www.cityam.com/bill-gates-backed-nuclear-contender-terra-power-aims-to-build-dozens-of-uk-reactors/
The Philippines are considering nuclear power, with a goal to have 2400 MW in operation by 2035.
https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2023/07/19/535032/doe-may-set-2400-mw-goal-for-nuclear-power-by-2035/
There is interest in deploying micro-reactors in Alaska, and the state government is making plans to regulate and facilitate the process:
https://alaskapublic.org/2023/07/26/no-new-nuclear-facilities-along-vulnerable-coasts-alaska-regulators-say/
There are plans for a new international financial institution that would fund nuclear projects:
https://www.energyintel.com/00000189-b310-dbd9-a9df-f75c1eb50000
Two thirds of Utah residents support building a nuclear plant in the state! There’s majority support in all age groups, especially younger people. There was ZERO opposition among 18-24 year olds!
https://www.deseret.com/2023/7/12/23790229/nuclear-power-energy-utah-science-environment-natrium-coal-pacificorp-grid-baseload-power-ratesI could go on, but I think I’ll stop here!