Investment in new nuclear is "a no-regrets option", according to an independent review of the UK government's approach to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Its report makes a number of recommendations for the government to meet its Net Zero Strategy, released in October 2021, in which new nuclear plays a significant part.

The Microsoft co-founder and chair of TerraPower voiced his support for nuclear during a visit to a closed-down coal-fired power plant in the state, but said any decisions on future Natrium plants will depend on the performance of a demonstration plant in Wyoming.

Holtec International has applied for a patent for multi-stage compressors that would enable any coal-fired plant to be repurposed by replacing its coal-fired boiler with clean steam from the SMR-160 small modular reactor.

The initial carbon plan adopted by the North Carolina Utilities Commission sets out a path to achieve a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions from publicly owned electric generating facilities by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 via "reasonable steps" including licence extensions for nuclear power plants and the consideration of new nuclear capacity.
 

The Japanese government has adopted a plan to extend the operation of existing nuclear power reactors and replace aging facilities with new advanced ones. The move is part of a policy that addresses global fuel shortages following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

In a wide-ranging interview for the World Nuclear News podcast, World Association of Nuclear Operators CEO Ingemar Engkvist:

• Explained how its members share ideas and tips with each other
• Discusses the impact of events in Ukraine
• Outlines WANO's new Action for Excellence initiative
• Predicts a bright future for the nuclear sector

Sharm El-Sheikh marked the first time the global nuclear community had a large pavilion in the Blue Zone, at the heart of COP27, writes World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León.

Nuclear energy is playing a crucial role during the current geopolitical situation and must be included when reshaping our energy paradigm and policies going forward, the international nuclear energy industry has said in a joint statement.

Bruce Power is advancing a project to establish the necessary nuclear carbon offset protocol to allow new incremental nuclear output to be accredited for an avoided emissions benefit, to quantify and validate the vital role nuclear power plays in decarbonising Ontario's electricity sector.

The long-term low-emission development strategy - or LT-LEDS - submitted by India to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change includes a three-fold increase in nuclear energy capacity by 2032 and will also explore the potential deployment of small modular nuclear reactors.

As the nuclear sector takes its place at the COP27 gathering, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general says that Long Term Operation (extending the lifetime of existing nuclear plants) is the "unsung hero of the fight against global warming".

The US Administration has issued a new report setting out initial priorities - including fusion - it says will enable it to reach net-zero by 2050, and is providing more than USD1.5 billion under Inflation Reduction Act funding to upgrade facilities and modernise infrastructure at the national laboratories which will undertake the research and innovation to support this.