Russia's regulator Rostechnadzor has issued a permit for the physical start-up of Leningrad II unit 2, which completed hot tests last week. The regulator's inspection of the unit "confirmed its high degree of readiness for the start of physical launch, during which nuclear fuel will be loaded into the reactor core for the first time", state nuclear corporation Rosatom said today.

There has been no enforced shutdown of a nuclear power reactor due to the effects of COVID-19 on the workforce or supply chains, according to reports from operators and regulators received through the International Atomic Energy Agency's COVID-19 Operational Experience Network and International Reporting System for Operating Experience.

Unit 2 of Ontario Power Generation's Darlington nuclear power plant has been reconnected to the grid at 100% full power, marking the official completion of the first refurbishment of the site's four Candu units.

The world's response to COVID-19 is also an opportunity to meet strategic goals that include reducing carbon emissions and attaining a healthier, more sustainable environment, while ensuring economic recovery, the leaders of the Canadian Nuclear Association and World Nuclear Association said yesterday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's newly-published Harmonised Safety Culture Model describes the traits and attributes that are observed when a strong culture for safety is present. The model, it says, is a comprehensive tool intended for all organisations that deal directly or indirectly with ionizing radiation, enabling them to set goals, implement changes, and measure progress.

The nuclear sector has reacted quickly and effectively to the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic without compromising safety, security or non-proliferation, panellists in a webinar hosted by the UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation said yesterday. They also considered how to apply lessons learned in the post-pandemic era.

Russian regulator Rostechnadzor has verified load following mode at unit 1 of the Novovoronezh II plant - Russia's first VVER-1200 reactor.

Canadian uranium producer Cameco will next week resume production at its Port Hope Conversion Facility's uranium hexafluoride plant and its Blind River Refinery in Ontario. The Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan, in which it holds a majority stake, will remain in care and maintenance.

A first-of-a-kind installation of a 3D-printed thimble plugging device has been performed at Exelon's Byron unit 1 during the plant's scheduled spring refuelling outage, Westinghouse has announced.

The completion of safety countermeasures at unit 2 of the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture, in Japan, will not be completed until March 2023, two years later than previously scheduled, Tohoku Electric Power Company announced on 30 April. Japan's nuclear regulator concluded in February the unit meets revised safety standards, clearing the way for it to resume operation.

Energoatom will temporarily withdraw from service three of its 15 nuclear power units in line with forecasts of reduced electricity demand during the coronavirus pandemic. The projected balance of electricity production by Ukraine's nuclear power plants this year has decreased by 8.6% to 73.7 terawatt hours, the state-run company said today.

Unit 2 of Entergy's Indian Point nuclear power plant will be shut down for the final time today after more than 45 years of operation. Unit 3, the remaining operating unit at the site in the state of New York, is scheduled to be permanently shut down by this time next year.