Atomenergoprom, the holding company of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has today reported consolidated net profit of RUB40.7 billion ($700 million) for the first half of 2017. This is an 89% increase on the same period of 2016 when it recorded net profit of RUB21.5 billion.

Bechtel Corp highlighted "significant issues" at the VC Summer project 18 months before construction of two AP1000 reactors at the site in Fairfield County, South Carolina, was scrapped in July. Difficulties, such as flawed construction plans, faulty designs, inadequate management and low worker morale, were outlined in the engineering, construction and project management company's independent analysis of the project dated February 2016.

NuScale Power of the USA has today launched an action plan for the near-term deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the UK. The plan sets out how the company will partner with UK industry to deliver a "multi-billion pound SMR venture".

Testing of the hermetic enclosure system of the reactor containment building has been completed at unit 4 of the Rostov nuclear power plant in Russia. The VVER-1000/V-320 reactor is scheduled for start-up this year.

Egypt's president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Egypt to witness the signing of contracts enabling the start of construction of a nuclear power plant in Dabaa, northwest of Cairo. The Kremlin's press service said yesterday that the two heads of state had met during the BRICS summit in China's Xiamen province, where they said their countries had completed two years of talks on the project.

The second AP1000 unit under construction at the Sanmen site in China's Zhejiang province has completed cold hydrostatic testing of its primary circuit. The tests are an important step in the commissioning of new units.

A memorandum of understanding to further promote cooperation in nuclear energy has been signed between China National Nuclear Corporation and Brazilian power company Eletrobras and its nuclear subsidiary Eletronuclear. The agreement covers the completion of Angra unit 3 and possible follow-up projects.

Rosenergoatom has announced completion of testing the passive heat removal system at unit 1 of the Leningrad Phase II nuclear power plant under construction in western Russia. Rosenergoatom, which is the nuclear power plant operator subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, described this as "one of the most important protective safety systems" at the reactor.

Uranium enrichment company Urenco yesterday said it expects to commission the Tails Management Facility (TMF) at Capenhurst in the UK in 2018, after construction delays. The facility, to deconvert depleted uranium hexafluoride tails, had previously been expected to enter service this year.

The Sultanate of Oman is to become a long-term strategic investor in Berkeley Energia through an investment agreement worth up to $120 million. The investment means that the Salamanca uranium project in western Spain is now fully funded and can proceed to production.

Georgia Power has today filed a recommendation with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to complete construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4 as the most economic choice for customers. The company expects unit 3 to begin commercial operation in November 2021 and unit 4 in November 2022.

Bulgaria started construction of a national repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste yesterday, marking the occasion with a ceremony. The repository is being built at the Radiana site, close to the Kozloduy nuclear power plant.