Nuclear energy included in JPMorganChase USD1.5 trillion initiative

(Image: Thomas Breher/Pixabay)

JPMorganChase has announced it will make direct investments of up to USD10 billion as part of a USD1.5 trillion initiative to address pressing needs in key sectors from critical minerals to frontier technologies, including nuclear energy.

The USA-based financial services firm's newly announced Security and Resiliency Initiative is a 10-year plan to facilitate, finance and invest in industries critical to national economic security and resiliency. The initiative, which expands the firm's existing plans to "facilitate and finance" some USD1 trillion over the next decade, will see it make direct equity and venture capital investments to help select companies, primarily in the USA, to enhance their growth, spur innovation, and accelerate strategic manufacturing.

JPMorganChase said it will focus on four key areas, with 27 sub-areas, to support companies across all sizes and development stages by offering advice, providing financing, and, in some cases, investing capital. The initial list of 27 sub-areas will be refined and augmented over time.

The four key areas are:

• Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing, including critical minerals, pharmaceutical precursors and robotics

• Defence and Aerospace, including defence technology, autonomous systems, drones, next-gen connectivity and secure communications

• Energy Independence and Resilience, including battery storage, grid resilience and distributed energy

• Frontier and Strategic Technologies, including AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing

Nuclear energy - specifically, "power generated through next generation nuclear tech" - is identified as a sub-area under the Energy Independence and Resilience key theme. "Diversified sources of energy production and the modernisation and resiliency of the grid will be imperative to the national interest and advancing artificial intelligence," the company notes. The other sub-areas under this theme are grid resilience, distributed energy, battery storage and solar.

"It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing - all of which are essential for our national security," said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorganChase. "Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of America's economy. America needs more speed and investment. It also needs to remove obstacles that stand in the way: excessive regulations, bureaucratic delay, partisan gridlock and an education system not aligned to the skills we need."

The new initiative "includes efforts like ensuring reliable access to life-saving medicines and critical minerals, defending our nation, building energy systems to meet AI-driven demand and advancing technologies like semiconductors and data centres", Dimon added.

The firm also said it will advocate for policies that can accelerate these efforts, including research and development, permitting, procurement and regulations conducive to growth. "As the bank intensifies its focus on these essential industries, it will also continue to work closely with its community and business partners to champion these sectors, foster talent and support skills training to ensure companies can fill critical jobs," it said.With operations worldwide, JPMorganChase & Co had USD4.6 trillion in assets and USD357 billion in stockholders' equity as of 30 June, and serves its customers under the JP Morgan and Chase brands Nuclear energy included in JPMorganChase USD1.5 trillion initiative

Read More........ → April 02, 2026

Planned Expansion to Take Latin America’s Largest Solar Plant Beyond 1 Gigawatt Capacity

An AI-generated image of the Puerto Peñasco solar complex in its initial stage of operation

The state-owned energy utility Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has announced an ambitious expansion of solar energy projects totaling 1.5 gigawatts of production and storage.

Armed with 30 billion Mexican pesos ($1.62 billion), CFE’s flagship project will be a 580 megawatt expansion of the Puerto Peñasco solar complex in the state of Sonora to 1 gigawatt of capacity, cementing its position as the largest solar farm in Latin America.

Sonora is one of Mexico’s sunniest states, receiving on average between 300 and 350 days of dawn-to-dusk sunshine a year.

The expansion will also include battery energy storage that will eventually amount to 30% of total capacity, and all phases of the expansion are slated for completion by the end of 2028.

“We are delivering on a strategic objective: ensuring the country’s energy sovereignty through orderly, clean and sufficient planning,” said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum during the official presentation.

Two additional locations in the state of Coahuila will see another 556 megawatts of solar power loaded onto the national grid: in Rio Escondido with 180MW and Carbón II with 376MW. Each will include 30% battery storage capacity.

Three more renewable energy projects are also being explored for the states of Durango, Quintana Roo, and Guanajuato.

“We are working through tripartite technical committees to review the technical characteristics and the status of prior permitting for each project. This is a binding planning exercise that will allow for an orderly start to development,” explained Emilia Calleja, CEO of CFE at the presentation.

CFE will be working alongside the Ministry of Energy (SENER) and National Infrastructure Fund (FONADIN).

America and Israel’s renewed war on Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven energy prices up substantially in the last 17 days. The conflict is showing no signs of de-escalation, which will likely lead to sunny states like Mexico seeing the tragedy as the ideal moment to up the ante on an energy transition.

Mexico’s population is expected to climb from 132 million to a peak of 150 million by 2050, at which point some 97% are expected to live in urban areas according to various population trend data.

A rapidly growing middle-class—now a larger share of the population than the poor—will be demanding ever increasing amounts of energy, and with so much sunshine year ’round and the honor of being the world’s largest producer of silver—a key metal in the production of photovoltaic panels—solar energy presents as an obvious solution to energy needs in times of high oil prices. Planned Expansion to Take Latin America’s Largest Solar Plant Beyond 1 Gigawatt Capacity

Read More........ → March 19, 2026

Electric vehicles: what to know if you’re considering an EV

Most EV drivers charge at home a few times a week. Fast chargers are used on longer trips. Zaptech/Unsplash

Hussein Dia, Swinburne University of Technology Soaring petrol prices are once again making many Australians think seriously about switching to an electric vehicle.

As politicians warn Australians not to resort to panic buying, finding constructive ways to reduce your petrol costs and cut carbon emissions has become increasingly appealing.

The strikes on Iran have seen prices of Brent crude – the global oil benchmark – trade around US$104 (A$150) per barrel, up from roughly US$68 (A$96) a few weeks earlier. There is no clear end in sight for the current crisis.

The good news is buying and owning an electric car is becoming much easier as more models arrive in Australia and charging networks expand. But there are still a few things worth considering before making the switch.

What should you look for when choosing an EV?

Choosing an electric vehicle is not very different from choosing any other car. Size, price and safety features still matter.

But there are a few additional things worth checking.

The first is driving range, which is how far the vehicle can travel on a full battery. Most new EVs sold in Australia offer between 300 and 500 kilometres of range, which is more than enough for typical daily driving.

It is also worth looking at charging capability. Some vehicles can accept faster charging speeds than others, meaning they can recharge more quickly when using high-power public chargers. This can make a difference on long trips.

Finally, check the battery warranty. Most manufacturers offer warranties of eight years or around 160,000km, providing reassurance about long-term battery performance.

For most buyers, the key is simply choosing a vehicle that suits their everyday driving needs.

How To Buy The Right Electric Car.

Check how much you drive

An important question to ask when choosing an electric vehicle is: how far do you usually drive each day?

Most Australians drive far less than they think. Car passenger kilometres per person have reduced from a peak of 13,184 in 2004 to 10,238 in 2024–25.

That’s roughly 28km per day, meaning many drivers could go several days between charges with today’s EVs. Most new models now sold in Australia have a real-world driving range of 300–500km on a full battery.

In practice, many EV owners simply plug their car in at home overnight once or twice a week.

Most EV drivers charge at home a few times a week. Fast chargers are used on longer trips. Zaptech/Unsplash

Do you need to install a charger at home?

Many people assume installing a home charger is essential, but that is not always the case.

Electric vehicles can be charged from a standard household power point. This is the slowest method, but it can still add 10–15km of range per hour of charging. At that rate, a 12-hour overnight charge could give you up to 180km.

Many owners choose to install a dedicated wall charger instead. These typically cost A$1,000–2,000 plus installation. These charge much faster, allowing most vehicles to fully recharge overnight.

Fast chargers are useful, but usually not for everyday charging. Public fast chargers are designed mainly for longer trips.

These high-power chargers can add 150–300km of driving range per hour, depending on the vehicle and type of charger.

They are very convenient for highway travel but usually cost more than charging at home. Public fast charging can range from around 50 to 70 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is still cheaper than petrol, but the savings are smaller than charging at home.

Many EV owners only use public chargers occasionally, not every day.

EV drivers in Australia will come across three different charger speeds. Here’s how they work.

How much should you charge the battery?

Another common question is whether EV batteries should always be charged to 100%.

For everyday driving, many manufacturers recommend keeping the battery between 20% and 80% most of the time. This helps maximise long-term battery health.

A fully charged battery is generally under more stress. However, charging to 100% shortly before a long trip is fine. Modern EV battery management systems are designed to protect the battery automatically.

In practice, drivers quickly develop simple routines, often charging overnight a few times per week.

How much could you save on fuel?

One of the main reasons drivers consider switching to an EV is the potential saving on running costs.

Electric cars are typically cheaper to run because electricity costs less than petrol and electric motors are far more energy efficient than combustion engines.

Home charging is also the cheapest way to run an EV. Electricity for overnight charging typically costs 20–30c per kilowatt-hour, which can translate to around $3–5 per 100km of driving.

By comparison, fuel-efficient petrol cars typically consume 6–8 litres per 100km and cost $14–18 to drive that distance at current fuel prices.

That difference can add up quickly over a year. Online tools, such as our public EV payback calculator, allow drivers to compare different vehicles and test how savings change depending on electricity prices, fuel costs and driving distance.

What if you live in an apartment or unit?

Charging can be more complicated for people living in apartments or units, but options are expanding quickly.

Many new residential developments now include shared EV charging infrastructure in car parks. Some apartment owners are also installing chargers in their individual parking spaces where building rules allow it.

Workplace charging is another growing option. Many employers are beginning to install chargers for staff vehicles, allowing drivers to top up their battery during the day.

Public charging networks are expanding across Australian cities. While these chargers typically cost more than home electricity, they provide an important option for drivers without dedicated parking or charging access at home.

As EV adoption increases, improving charging access for apartment residents is becoming a major focus for building managers and policymakers.

Where next?

The decision to switch to an electric vehicle has never been more straightforward. Ranges are longer, models are more affordable, charging networks are expanding and running costs are lower than ever.

As petrol prices remind Australians of their exposure to global oil markets, the case for making the switch gets stronger.

For most drivers, the question is no longer whether an EV could work for them – it is simply a matter of when.

Hussein Dia, Professor of Transport Technology and Sustainability, Swinburne University of Technology

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........ → March 19, 2026

UK’s First Geothermal Power Plant Begins Using Underground Heat to Power 10K Homes

The United Downs plant in Cornwall – credit, Thomas Frost Photography / Geothermal Engineering Limited © SWNS

The UK’s first geothermal power plant has just begun operations, using hot water from deep underground to create renewable electricity.

The United Downs plant in Cornwall has been in development for nearly two decades, and will now begin providing enough electricity to power 10,000 homes.

Geothermal power generation comes via energy stored in the form of heat beneath the surface of the Earth. The company behind the project, (GEL) Geothermal Engineering Ltd., had to drill the deepest on-shore well ever drilled on UK soil—over 3 miles deep—to source the geothermal fluid that is used for the power plant.

The naturally heated water, exceeding 190°C, generates electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of the weather.

The water will help drive turbines to generate electricity for 10,000 homes but will also provide the UK’s first domestic supply of lithium, a critical mineral used in green technology.

Dr. Ryan Law, CEO of GEL, said the opening of the power plant is a “huge advancement for geothermal power in the UK.”

“Geothermal energy and critical minerals extraction are naturally complementary as they share the same subsurface resource,” Dr. Law explained. “The hot, mineral-rich fluids that generate clean electricity can also be processed to recover strategic materials like lithium carbonate.”

“Therefore, collocating power and mineral extraction plants maximizes investment in the wells, minimizes subsurface disruption, and accelerates the transition to secure domestic supply in both critical sectors.”

GEL have said the water they’ve brought to the surface after drilling contains one of the highest concentrations of lithium in the world.

Lithium carbonate is a key raw material used in the production of rechargeable batteries like those that power electric vehicles and energy storage systems. From its February, 2026 starting point, GEL says the plant has the capacity to produce 100 tons per annum.

Ground source heat pumps are a form of geothermal technology already used in the UK, and in places like Southampton, heating is provided to hundreds of homes via a local network. But the United Downs project has drilled to far greater depths where temperatures are hot enough to generate more than just heat, but actual electricity.

Furthermore, the project has only cost around $59 million to date, funded through private investors and the EU.

Energy provider Octopus Energy has purchased the power generated at United Downs and will deliver it, via the national grid, to about 10,000 homes.

GEL has two other sites it plans to develop into geothermal power plants, and although one additional site has been initially turned down over environmental concerns, the company is appealing.

Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy, said UK bills are “still too high” and the answer is “more homegrown, renewable energy.”

“For the first time, we’re bringing deep geothermal power to British homes—a clean, constant energy source right beneath our feet,” he said. “Projects like United Downs show how the UK can cut bills and carbon by tapping every ounce of our renewable potential.” UK’s First Geothermal Power Plant Begins Using Underground Heat to Power 10K Homes:

Read More........ → March 07, 2026

India on track to meet 500 GW non-fossil power target by 2030: MNRE Secretary

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India is on course to achieve its ambitious target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, with a strong pipeline of renewable energy projects already in place, a top government official has said.

India currently has around 260 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity, Santosh Sarangi, Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said while speaking to NDTV Profit.

This means the country needs to add about 240 GW more over the next few years, a goal he said is well within reach.

Sarangi explained that solar power will form the biggest share of upcoming capacity additions, contributing nearly 160 GW.

“Wind energy is expected to add around 30 GW, while the rest will come from a mix of small and large hydro projects and nuclear power. Nuclear energy is likely to add about 8 to 10 GW by 2030,” he stated.

“India could even exceed the 500 GW target if large-scale data centre projects move ahead as planned,” Sarangi added.

He added that electricity demand from data centres is rising rapidly, and many carbon-intensive industries are also looking to shift towards cleaner energy as part of their decarbonisation efforts.

Meanwhile, the government in last month informed that India saw highest-ever renewable energy capacity addition in 2025 at 44.51 GW (till November) which is nearly double as compared to the 24.72 GW during the same period last year.

The total renewable energy installed capacity reached 253.96 GW in November 2025, which is an increase of over 23 per cent as compared to the 205.52 GW in November 2024.The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said on December 29 said that capacity addition is 34.98 GW, compared to the 20.85 GW during the same period last year. India on track to meet 500 GW non-fossil power target by 2030: MNRE Secretary | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 07, 2026

X-energy 'reserves' Doosan forgings

(Image: Doosan Enerbility)

X-energy of the USA - developer of the Xe-100 high temperature gas-cooled small modular reactor - has signed a reservation agreement with South Korean nuclear component designer and manufacturer Doosan Enerbility for key components for its reactors.

The agreement was signed in Washington DC on 11 December by Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, and Jongdoo Kim, CEO of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Business Group.

Under the agreement, X-energy pre-emptively secures Doosan Enerbility's forgings. Mid to large-sized forgings, which are required in the manufacturing of the main components of small modular reactors (SMRs), are materials that require a long production lead time. Follow-up agreements on commencing the manufacturing of the SMR forgings and modules are expected to subsequently take place between the two companies.

"As Doosan Enerbility is a leading global supplier of nuclear equipment, equipped with unparalleled capabilities and expertise in this area, it will play a vital role in helping us enter the global market with our Xe-100 reactors," Sell said. "We are proud to be entering into a partnership with Doosan on this major project."

Kim added: "This reservation agreement signed with X-energy is a significant milestone for us, signifying that we are now officially embarking on the manufacturing process. As X-energy's major partner responsible for supplying the main SMR components, we are committed to ensuring full support on the project by strictly adhering to the requirements for product quality and deadline."

The Xe-100 is a pebble bed high-temperature gas reactor capable of a thermal output of 200 MW or (80 MW electrical). It uses fuel made from robust TRISO (tri-structural isotropic) fuel particles which are able to withstand extremely high temperatures without melting. Optimised as a four-unit plant delivering 320 MWe, the reactor can provide baseload power to an electricity system or use its thermal output to support industrial applications with high pressure, high temperature steam.

The first deployment of the Xe-100 is planned for Dow’s Seadrift site on the Texas Gulf Coast, to supply both power and high-temperature heat to industrial-scale operations. X-energy and Amazon have also committed to the goal of more than 5 GW of new nuclear by 2039, starting with a joint plan with Washington state utility Energy Northwest to build up to 12 SMRs near Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station.

In August 2021, Doosan Heavy signed an engineering service contract with X-energy for studies into the manufacture of major components - including the reactor pressure vessel - for the Xe-100. Under the contract, Doosan is supporting the development of the reactor by performing a study for its optimum design in terms of manufacturability. It is also conducting mock-up tests for critical manufacturing processes.

In January 2023, Doosan Enerbility announced it was making an equity investment in X-energy, leading to further strengthening of the partnership.A strategic collaboration agreement was signed in August this year by X-energy, Amazon, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP) and Doosan Enerbility aimed at accelerating the deployment of X-energy's Xe-100 and TRISO-X fuel to meet growing power demands from data centres and artificial intelligence. KHNP, Doosan, and additional Korean industrial partners have agreed to support Amazon and X-energy's plans to deploy more than 5 GW of new nuclear energy across the USA by 2039. X-energy 'reserves' Doosan forgings

Read More........ → December 22, 2025

UK’s Sizewell C achieves financing landmark

How the new plant could look (Image: Sizewell C)

The Sizewell C project to build two of EDF’s EPR reactors on England’s east coast has reached Financial Close, including GBP5 billion (USD6.5 billion) in export credit financing by BpifranceAE as well as debt financing from the UK’s National Wealth Fund.

France's EDF, announcing the financial closing of the project, said it would invest a maximum of GBP1.1 billion during the construction period and would have a stake of 12.5%, with the UK government having 44.9%, La Caisse 20%, Centrica 15% and Amber Infrastructure 7.6%.

It added: "EDF will not invest new cash at financial close due to the reimbursement of the development costs incurred since 2015 and a payment in return for the Hinkley Point C project expertise that Sizewell C benefits from, as well as the series effect."

Thirteen banks have supported the GBP5 billion debt raise: ABN Amro Bank; Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria; Santander CIB; BNP Paribas; Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank; CaixaBank; Citibank; Crédit Industriel et Commercial; HSBC Bank; Lloyds Bank; National Westminster Bank; Natixis and Societe Generale.

Sizewell C said "this landmark moment sees funding for the project beginning to flow, unlocking full-scale construction of the Suffolk-based plant".

The plan is for the estimated GBP38 billion Sizewell C plant to feature two EPR reactors producing 3.2 GW of electricity, enough to power the equivalent of around six million homes for at least 60 years. It would be a similar design to the two-unit plant being built at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, with the aim of building it more quickly and at lower cost as a result of the experience gained from what is the first new nuclear construction project in the UK for about three decades. A final investment decision for the Sizewell C project was taken in July this year.

Sizewell C has used the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) funding model, which will see consumers contributing towards the cost of new nuclear power plants during the construction phase. Under the previous Contracts for Difference system developers finance the construction of a nuclear project and only begin receiving revenue when the power plant starts generating electricity.

Sizewell C said the "financing model attracts private investment that would not otherwise be possible. Government estimates that using the RAB can save consumers GBP30 billion, compared with other models, as a result of lower financing costs".

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "By backing nuclear we are creating thousands of high-quality jobs across the country, supporting British supply chains and keeping the lights on with homegrown energy for generations to come."

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, the trade association for the UK’s civil nuclear industry, said: "Reaching financial close for Sizewell C is a landmark moment for the UK's clean energy future. It proves that new nuclear can attract significant investment - a vital step towards energy security, skilled jobs, and achieving net zero. The financing model used for Sizewell C is crucial to unlocking further private investment in new nuclear projects, cutting our reliance on fossil fuels, and driving an industrial revival across Britain."

EDF also noted the wider benefits for the French state-owned group: "The EDF group will contribute to the project as a supplier of engineering studies (EDF/Edvance), the main primary circuit including the nuclear boiler, steam generators and safety control system (Framatome) and, for the conventional island, the turbo-alternator unit (Arabelle Solutions). For the French nuclear industry more broadly with some 40 French suppliers, it will help to perpetuate skills, capitalise on experience and generate economies of scale for the EPR2 programme in France."Sizewell C said that Clifford Chance acted as legal adviser, Rothschild & Co acted as lead financial adviser across equity, debt and credit ratings, and BNP Paribas acted as joint debt financial adviser to Sizewell C on the capital raise. HSBC acted as French Authorities and Green Loan Coordinator, alongside Santander CIB as Documentation Coordinator on the GBP5 billion export credit backed facility. UK’s Sizewell C achieves financing landmark

Read More........ → November 13, 2025

India emerging as global leader on green path to growth

IANS Photo

New Delhi, September 17 (IANS): India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in sustainable development, as it is not just following the global climate agenda but developing its own positive approach to a green future as a pathway to economic prosperity and a strong nation.

By combining strong political leadership, a thriving private sector, and a deeply rooted philosophical connection to nature, India is proving that a green future is not only possible but also a direct route to prosperity and power, according to an article by Erik Solheim in India Narrative.

This transformation is driven by a powerful combination of factors: strong political will, a vibrant business sector, and an engaged civil society. Far from being a burden, this green shift is seen as a pathway to economic prosperity and national strength, a message framed not around the fear of climate change but the promise of a brighter, more prosperous future, the article states.

It also points out that India has been unfairly accused of hindering international climate talks and blamed for a crisis it contributed very little to. The reality is that the per capita emissions of the United States are currently 25 times higher than India’s. This disparity highlights the arrogance of those who point fingers at India while ignoring their own historical and current responsibilities.

The article highlights that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reframed the climate debate. Instead of focusing on the dire consequences of climate change — like droughts or floods — his message is one of opportunity. He speaks of a future where every Indian is lifted out of poverty, a thriving middle class emerges, and India takes its rightful place as a powerful nation on the world stage. Crucially, this vision is anchored in green technologies — solar, wind, electric cars, and other renewables. This positive, aspirational message resonates far more deeply than one built on fear and sacrifice.

It states that this shift in messaging is a lesson the world should learn from. It turns climate action from a negative, problem-focused agenda into a positive, inspiring one. The absence of a significant “climate denial” movement in India, unlike in many Western countries, further strengthens this approach.

The article underlines the success that India has achieved in setting up solar, wind and hydro power projects to fight climate change.

India’s green progress is not just a top-down mandate; it’s a nationwide movement with remarkable success stories unfolding across different states.

It mentions Gujarat as a front-runner, with an ambitious goal of generating 100 GW of solar energy by 2030. This alone would make it one of the largest renewable energy economies in the world if it were a separate nation. Tamil Nadu is making strides in restoring its windmills and has embarked on a large-scale mangrove restoration project while Madhya Pradesh hosts some of the country’s most innovative green projects. This includes a 150 MW floating solar plant on the Omkareshwar dam in Khandwa and India’s first solar village, Sanchi.

Besides, Andhra Pradesh, like Gujarat, is a leader in solar energy generation with significant capacity installed and Uttar Pradesh is focusing on hydro and pumped storage and has made strides in greening its agriculture sector.

The article also points out that the deep-rooted connection between Indian philosophy and nature plays a significant role in this green transformation. The ancient Hindu philosophy of Dharma venerates the environment, viewing humans as an integral part of nature rather than superior to it.

This contrasts sharply with some Western traditions, which historically have viewed humans as being “above” nature, free to exploit it for their own ends, the article adds.Erik Solheim, the author of the article, is a well-known global leader on environment and development as well as an experienced peace negotiator. He served as Norwegian minister of Environment and International Development from 2005-2012. India emerging as global leader on green path to growth | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → November 04, 2025

A US startup plans to deliver ‘sunlight on demand’ after dark. Can it work – and would we want it to?

Can a new satellite constellation create sunlight on demand? SpaceX/Flickr, CC BY-ND Michael J. I. Brown, Monash University and Matthew Kenworthy, Leiden University

A proposed constellation of satellites has astronomers very worried. Unlike satellites that reflect sunlight and produce light pollution as an unfortunate byproduct, the ones by US startup Reflect Orbital would produce light pollution by design.

The company promises to produce “sunlight on demand” with mirrors that beam sunlight down to Earth so solar farms can operate after sunset.

It plans to start with an 18-metre test satellite named Earendil-1 which the company has applied to launch in 2026. It would eventually be followed by about 4,000 satellites in orbit by 2030, according to the latest reports.

So how bad would the light pollution be? And perhaps more importantly, can Reflect Orbital’s satellites even work as advertised?

Bouncing sunlight

Sunlight can be bounced off a wristwatch to produce a spot of light . M. Brown

In the same way you can bounce sunlight off a watch face to produce a spot of light, Reflect Orbital’s satellites would use mirrors to beam light onto a patch of Earth.

But the scale involved is vastly different. Reflect Orbital’s satellites would orbit about 625km above the ground, and would eventually have mirrors 54 metres across.

When you bounce light off your watch onto a nearby wall, the spot of light can be very bright. But if you bounce it onto a distant wall, the spot becomes larger – and dimmer.

This is because the Sun is not a point of light, but spans half a degree in angle in the sky. This means that at large distances, a beam of sunlight reflected off a flat mirror spreads out with an angle of half a degree.

What does that mean in practice? Let’s take a satellite reflecting sunlight over a distance of roughly 800km – because a 625km-high satellite won’t always be directly overhead, but beaming the sunlight at an angle. The illuminated patch of ground would be at least 7km across.

Even a curved mirror or a lens can’t focus the sunlight into a tighter spot due to the distance and the half-degree angle of the Sun in the sky.

Would this reflected sunlight be bright or dim? Well, for a single 54 metre satellite it will be 15,000 times fainter than the midday Sun, but this is still far brighter than the full Moon.

Mylar reflectors can be unfolded in orbit. Josh Spradling/The Planetary Society, CC BY

The balloon test

Last year, Reflect Orbital’s founder Ben Nowack posted a short video which summarised a test with the “last thing to build before moving into space”. It was a reflector carried on a hot air balloon.

In the test, a flat, square mirror roughly 2.5 metres across directs a beam of light down to solar panels and sensors. In one instance the team measures 516 watts of light per square metre while the balloon is at a distance of 242 metres.

For comparison, the midday Sun produces roughly 1,000 watts per square metre. So 516 watts per square metre is about half of that, which is enough to be useful.

However, let’s scale the balloon test to space. As we noted earlier, if the satellites were 800km from the area of interest, the reflector would need to be 6.5km by 6.5km – 42 square kilometres. It’s not practical to build such a giant reflector, so the balloon test has some limitations.

So what is Reflect Orbital planning to do?

Reflect Orbital’s plan is “simple satellites in the right constellation shining on existing solar farms”. And their goal is only 200 watts per square metre – 20% of the midday Sun.

Can smaller satellites deliver? If a single 54 metre satellite is 15,000 times fainter than the midday Sun, you would need 3,000 of them to achieve 20% of the midday Sun. That’s a lot of satellites to illuminate one region.

Another issue: satellites at a 625km altitude move at 7.5 kilometres per second. So a satellite will be within 1,000km of a given location for no more than 3.5 minutes.

This means 3,000 satellites would give you a few minutes of illumination. To provide even an hour, you’d need thousands more.

Reflect Orbital isn’t lacking ambition. In one interview, Nowack suggested 250,000 satellites in 600km high orbits. That’s more than all the currently catalogued satellites and large pieces of space junk put together.

And yet, that vast constellation would deliver only 20% of the midday Sun to no more than 80 locations at once, based on our calculations above. In practice, even fewer locations would be illuminated due to cloudy weather.

Additionally, given their altitude, the satellites could only deliver illumination to most locations near dusk and dawn, when the mirrors in low Earth orbit would be bathed in sunlight. Aware of this, Reflect Orbital plan for their constellation to encircle Earth above the day-night line in sun-synchronous orbits to keep them continuously in sunlight.

Cheaper rockets have enabled the deployment of satellite constellations. SpaceX/Flickr, CC BY-NC

Bright lights

So, are mirrored satellites a practical means to produce affordable solar power at night? Probably not. Could they produce devastating light pollution? Absolutely.

In the early evening it doesn’t take long to spot satellites and space junk – and they’re not deliberately designed to be bright. With Reflect Orbital’s plan, even if just the test satellite works as planned, it will sometimes appear far brighter than the full Moon.

A constellation of such mirrors would be devastating to astronomy and dangerous to astronomers. To anyone looking through a telescope the surface of each mirror could be almost as bright as the surface of the Sun, risking permanent eye damage.

The light pollution will hinder everyone’s ability to see the cosmos and light pollution is known to impact the daily rhythms of animals as well.

Although Reflect Orbital aims to illuminate specific locations, the satellites’ beams would also sweep across Earth when moving from one location to the next. The night sky could be lit up with flashes of light brighter than the Moon.

The company did not reply to The Conversation about these concerns within deadline. However, it told Bloomberg this week it plans to redirect sunlight in ways that are “brief, predictable and targeted”, avoiding observatories and sharing the locations of the satellites so scientists can plan their work.

The consequences would be dire

It remains to be seen whether Reflect Orbital’s project will get off the ground. The company may launch a test satellite, but it’s a long way from that to getting 250,000 enormous mirrors constantly circling Earth to keep some solar farms ticking over for a few extra hours a day.

Still, it’s a project to watch. The consequences of success for astronomers – and anyone else who likes the night sky dark – would be dire.

The number of satellites visible in the evening has skyrocketed.

Michael J. I. Brown, Associate Professor in Astronomy, Monash University and Matthew Kenworthy, Associate Professor in Astronomy, Leiden University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........ → October 17, 2025

Oklo announces plans for Tennessee fuel recycling plant

A rendering of the recycling facility (Oklo Inc)

Oklo Inc has announced plans to design, build, and operate a facility at Oak Ridge in Tennessee to recycle used nuclear fuel into fuel for fast reactors like the company's own Aurora powerhouse, and is teaming up with TVA to look into recycling the utility's used fuel.

The fuel recycling facility will be the first phase of a USD1.68 billion advanced fuel centre, the company said.

It is also exploring opportunities with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to recycle the utility's used fuel at the new facility and to evaluate potential power sales from future Oklo powerhouses in the region to TVA, a collaboration which Oklo says would be the first time a US utility "has explored recycling its used fuel into clean electricity using modern electrochemical processes".

"Fuel is the most important factor in bringing advanced nuclear energy to market," said Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte. "By recycling used fuel at scale, we are turning waste into gigawatts, reducing costs, and establishing a secure US supply chain that will support the deployment of clean, reliable, and affordable power. Tennessee is showing the nation that recycling can be done to support new nuclear development and growth."

Oklo said it has completed a licensing project plan for the fuel recycling facility with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and is currently in pre-application engagement with the regulator's staff.

The Aurora powerhouse is a fast neutron reactor that uses heat pipes to transport heat from the reactor core to a supercritical carbon dioxide power conversion system which can generate both electricity and usable heat using fuel made from either fresh high-assay low-enriched uranium or used nuclear fuel. Oklo is planning to build its first Aurora powerhouse on a site at Idaho National Laboratory for which it has previously said it intends to submit a combined construction and operating licence application to the NRC later this year. Oklo is one of the 11 initial companies selected by the Department of Energy for support through the Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to see at least advanced reactor projects achieve criticality in less than one year from now.

Attendees at the announcement of the planned advanced nuclear fuel centre included state and federal representatives (Image: Oklo Inc)

More than 94,000 tonnes of used nuclear fuel is currently stored at US nuclear power plant sites, and these contain considerable reserves of recyclable fuel. The fuel recycling facility will be the first phase of a multi-facility campus aimed at supporting recycling and fuel fabrication, Oklo said.

The US government halted reprocessing of used fuel from commercial reactors in 1977, as part of its stance against nuclear proliferation, but there have been several policy shifts since the early 2000. The Executive Orders signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year included directions to the Department of Energy to bring forward national policies on the management of used fuel and high-level waste and evaluate private-sector reprocessing options, amongst other things.

Government-owned TVA is the largest public power company in the USA, with a diverse generating portfolio including nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar and advanced technologies. Earlier this year, it submitted an application for a permit to construct an SMR at Clinch River, near Oak Ridge, using GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 technology. More recently, it has signed a collaborative agreement with ENTRA1 Energy to deploy up to 6 GW of NuScale SMR capacity, and has also signed a power purchase agreement with Kairos Power for up to 50 MW of electricity from Kairos Power's Hermes 2 demonstration reactor, which is to be built at Oak Ridge.

"The next generation of nuclear technologies are being built and developed right here in our own backyard," said TVA President and CEO Don Moul. "Our partnership with Oklo represents yet another step forward in shaping the future of nuclear energy and ensuring a secure energy future for the Valley and beyond."The facility in Tennessee is expected to begin producing metal fuel for Aurora powerhouses by the early 2030s, following regulatory review and approvals, the company said. Oklo announces plans for Tennessee fuel recycling plant

Read More........ → October 01, 2025

India Electric Mobility Index to boost EV adoption across states: NITI Aayog

New Delhi, (IANS): NITI Aayog has launched the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI), a first-of-its-kind tool developed to comprehensively track and benchmark the progress of states and Union Territories (UTs) in achieving their electric mobility goals.

The index tracks, evaluates and scores all states and UTs out of 100 across 16 indicators under three-core themes — Transport Electrification Progress to capture demand-side adoption; Charging Infrastructure Readiness to track allied charging infrastructure development and EV Research and Innovation Status.

The IEMI enables evaluation across states and union territories, identifying key drivers of success as well as areas requiring targeted interventions. The Index aims to inform decision-making, foster healthy competition among states, and promote sharing of best practices.

The Index underscores the importance of state-level coordination, integrated planning, and cross-sectoral collaboration in achieving India’s electric mobility vision. By identifying strengths and gaps, the Index aims to support states in aligning with national goals while addressing local needs.

"NITI Aayog has already been at the forefront of enabling the ongoing EV revolution. This index is yet another effort by NITI Aayog to propel India towards its vision of a decarbonised and energy-secure future,” said BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog.

NITI Aayog also launched a report on ‘Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India,’ which presents a timely and comprehensive assessment of current challenges while highlighting major unlocks essential to accelerate India’s Electric Mobility transition.

India seeks to attain a 30 per cent share of electric vehicles, in the total vehicles sold, by 2030. Sale of EVs in India went up from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024 as against global EV sales having risen from 918,000 in 2016 to 18.78 million in 2024.

Thus, India’s transition has been slow to start, but it is picking up. India’s EV penetration was only about one – fifth of the global penetration in 2020, but has picked up to over two-fifth of the global penetration in 2024.

The report serves as a blueprint for accelerating India’s EV transition. It identifies key barriers, strategic unlocks, and actionable recommendations to accelerate EV adoption. By enabling data-driven decisions and cross-sector collaboration, it supports a unified national push.“India stands at the cusp of a transformative shift in clean mobility. As the nation advances its Electric Mobility ambition, this report provides valuable insights and policy-aligned recommendations to overcome existing barriers and unlock scale,” said Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog. India Electric Mobility Index to boost EV adoption across states: NITI Aayog | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → August 06, 2025

Man Wracks Up 250,000 EV Miles Driving Neighbors in Need–and the Battery Still Has a Capacity of 92%

Good neighbor David Blenkle in his 2022 Mustang Mach-E

In the course of being a wonderful, kind-hearted neighbor, a California man inadvertently demonstrated the incredible reliability and longevity of his electric vehicle.

And being that it’s a Ford Mustang Mach-E, which many derided as an abomination of the badge, it’s a head-turning, heart-tugging piece of publicity.

David Blenkle -credit Ford

David Blenkle has spent the last few years using his all-electric Mach-E to run a small private car service in Santa Cruz, California, and has driven more than 250,000 miles in the last three years.

Even more impressive, the car still has 92% of the battery capacity he had when he bought it.

Inspired by the care his grandfather received as a WWII veteran, Blenkle started off by offering complimentary rides for veterans and their families to Veteran’s Affairs (VA) appointments and national cemeteries.

He also began to offer free rides to job-seekers, both veterans and others, to help them get to any job interviews they might have lined up.

Years passed, and Blenkle has become a lifeline for hundreds of people in his community who would otherwise not have had access to reliable transportation.

Through the growth of his business, David was able to expand to continue providing reliable rides to those in need, including university students needing a ride to the airport, or locals navigating the highway over the Santa Cruz mountains.

There are many good arguments on both sides of the debate on the reliability of EVs versus conventional combustion vehicles, especially in a state as large as California. Perhaps the best on the EV side is that an electric motor has one moving part.Resulting not a little from that fact, the course of Blenkle’s charitable work has seen him pass a quarter-million miles—equivalent to a trip to the moon—without enduring any major under-the-hood work. Man Wracks Up 250,000 EV Miles Driving Neighbors in Need–and the Battery Still Has a Capacity of 92%

Read More........ → August 05, 2025

ENEC and Samsung C&T to collaborate on global nuclear projects

(Image: ENEC/Samsung C&T)

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and Samsung C&T Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore projects ranging from restarts in the USA, to small modular reactors in the UAE, to potential nuclear-powered hydrogen production in South Korea.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) says the two companies will look at potential investment in a full range of global and advanced nuclear projects and technologies, also including "investment in US-based nuclear service and equipment companies; and the joint assessment of the development and financing of a nuclear power plant in Romania".

Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi, said: "Nuclear energy has a pivotal role in delivering clean electricity at scale to meet rapidly growing global demand. ENEC has demonstrated that with the right strategy and partnerships, nuclear projects can be delivered safely on time, and to the highest national and international standards. Through this MoU with Samsung C&T, we are expanding our global collaboration efforts to enable new nuclear deployment, investment, and innovation. Together, we will explore projects that deliver real impact for countries seeking energy security, decarbonisation, and long-term economic growth."

Samsung C&T CEO Oh Se-cheol said: "To ensure the stable supply of clean energy, nuclear power plays an essential role as a reliable baseload source. By combining the advanced technologies and global networks that both companies have built in the large-scale nuclear and SMR sectors, I look forward to creating synergies through close collaboration."

The companies said that the MoU "brings together ENEC’s global nuclear leadership and Samsung C&T’s deep engineering and infrastructure expertise to support the deployment of clean, dispatchable electricity worldwide".

The MoU follows one signed by ENEC with another South Korean company, Hyundai Engineering & Construction on Monday, which provides a comprehensive framework for knowledge sharing, collaborative evaluation of project participation, and assessment of strategic investment opportunities. It also includes the formation of a joint working group to identify areas of mutual interest and support the development of future nuclear energy initiatives.

That followed one signed by ENEC with Westinghouse last week to explore collaboration opportunities for the deployment of advanced nuclear energy solutions in the USA.

ENEC, the developer and operator of the four-unit Barakah nuclear power plant, says it is "now leveraging this expertise through global partnerships to invest, partner and cooperate with other nations and companies to realise the benefits of civil nuclear energy".Samsung C&T won a contract in April to upgrade the first unit of Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear power plant, and is involved in the front-end engineering design (FEED) for a small modular reactor project in Romania. In March it signed an agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to establish a strategic partnership for the co-development of overseas nuclear power plant projects. ENEC and Samsung C&T to collaborate on global nuclear projects

Read More........ → August 01, 2025

NANO Nuclear to help revive Argentinean uranium mining

Drilling operations in the San Jorge Basin (Image: UrAmerica)

US microreactor technology company NANO Nuclear Energy Inc has signed a memorandum of understanding with Buenos Aires-based private uranium exploration company UrAmerica Ltd to help modernise and develop Argentina's nuclear fuel supply chain.

UrAmerica has focused its efforts on developing the properties it has successfully consolidated in the San Jorge Basin, in Argentina's Chubut Province, surrounding known high-grade deposits and historical mines. The company, through its subsidiary UrAmerica Argentina SA, fully owns licences of uranium deposits in the San Jorge Basin.

The newly-signed MOU formalises discussions that NANO Nuclear initiated with UrAmerica to explore strategic development across Argentina's uranium-fuel supply chain. Both companies are now working to evaluate specific opportunities, ranging from mining and conversion to uranium hexafluoride (UF6) feedstock supply, that could aid NANO Nuclear in securing a dependable source of material for future supply chain options. Such evaluations, it said, may lead to the signing of definitive agreements between NANO Nuclear and UrAmerica related to particular projects.

Under the MOU, the companies will pursue: favourable uranium offtake agreements; potential investments in mineral production and fuel-cycle infrastructure; and future joint ventures or related collaboration.

NANO Nuclear said one of its goals in entering into the MOU was "to help modernise Argentina's nuclear sector while strengthening US energy security by sourcing materials for nuclear fuel from a reliable partner".

“We are pleased to formalise our discussions with UrAmerica through this MOU as we seek to further extend NANO Nuclear's international footprint," said Jay Yu, founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. "By collaborating with UrAmerica, we aim to position Argentina as a regional centre for nuclear technology and a reliable supply-chain partner for the United States, strengthening the country's existing infrastructure while advancing our shared goals."

NANO Nuclear CEO James Walker added: "Argentina holds substantial deposits of strategic metals, like uranium, that could be a strategic supplier to us in the future. The timing is also favourable, as the Argentine government is actively looking to reform its nuclear sector to attract international investment. We look forward to advancing our discussions and exploring future opportunities in South America."

"This Memorandum of Understanding with NANO Nuclear marks a pivotal step forward in unlocking the vast potential of Argentina's uranium resources, aligning perfectly with UrAmerica's mission to drive sustainable and secure critical mineral supply chains," said Omar Adra, Executive Director and CEO of UrAmerica Ltd. and President of UrAmerica Argentina SA. "Our extensive licences package in the San Jorge Basin holds world-class uranium deposits, and through this collaboration, we aim to not only meet the growing global demand for nuclear fuel but also position Argentina as a key strategic partner for the United States in energy security.

"By leveraging UrAmerica's expertise in mineral exploration and NANO Nuclear's advanced nuclear technology and expertise, we are hopeful that this collaboration will catalyse investments in mining, milling, and fuel cycle development, delivering long-term economic benefits for Argentina while supporting the US in diversifying its nuclear supply chain away from geopolitical risks."

Previous agreement with Cameco

In October 2011, UrAmerica entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Canada's Cameco, focused only on uranium exploration in its extensive multi-mineralised district. A drilling campaign was completed in 18 months by UrAmerica, which provided data for a NI43-101 Technical Report for a mineral resource estimate totaling 27.9 million tonnes with an average grade of 310 ppm U3O8 for a contained 19.1 million pounds of U3O8 (7349 tU) using a cut-off grade of 200 ppm. The geometry, host rock and hydrogeological setting of the uranium mineralisation may favour extraction of uranium by in-situ recovery.

UrAmerica has quantified exploration targets immediately adjacent to various inferred resources up to 65.4 million pounds U3O8 (25,163 tU) with an average grade of 285 to 362 ppm U3O8.In 2013, due to the depressed market for uranium following the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Cameco and UrAmerica agreed to end their partnership. NANO Nuclear to help revive Argentinean uranium mining

Read More........ → July 14, 2025

India sets up committees to propose nuclear acts changes

An aerial view of India's Parliament (Image: Lok Sabha)

Minister of State Jitendra Singh has told the Indian Parliament that the process has begun to discuss and propose amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, to encourage private sector participation in nuclear projects.

India has plans for a rapid expansion of its nuclear energy capacity - from 7 GW to 100 GW by 2047, with Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech earlier this year promising amendments to the two key bits of Indian legislation.

The Atomic Energy Act has precluded private-sector investment in India's civil nuclear industry and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act has been a stumbling block for overseas nuclear power plant vendors as it gave plant operators unlimited legal recourse to the reactor supplier in the event of a nuclear accident.

Jitendra Singh, minister for science and technology, earth sciences and nuclear energy, has now confirmed to the Indian parliament that the Department of Atomic Energy has set up committees including members from the department itself, the Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, the NITI Aayog public policy think-tank and the Ministry of Law & Justice to discuss and propose the amendments to the two acts.

"The Committee also have to look at the aspect of the waste management, fuel sourcing & handling, decommissioning, implementation of security and safeguards. The activities related to the amendment in the Acts involves various stages of inter-ministerial consultations as well as scientific solution," he said in a 2 April written answer to the Lok Sabha. He said it was "not feasible to give a timeline" for these activities.

Last week India's largest power utility NTPC Ltd - which is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power - invited Expressions of Interest "from interested and capable entities for cooperation in indigenising Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) technology and establishing large-capacity (1000 MW & above) PWR-based Nuclear Power Plants in India on concept to commissioning basis, subject to approval from Government of India".

The target capacity it is looking at is 15 GW. The broad framework for cooperation includes "a commitment to the gradual transfer of key technologies of proposed PWR based nuclear reactors to India, fostering longterm capability building" and "minimum 60% Indigenisation of components for the first reactor unit and progressively increase to more than 95% for the last reactor unit, ensuring a steady transition to self-sufficiency in nuclear technology. This can either be done through an Indian Subsidiary/JV (joint venture) company of the applicant or through tie up with Indian companies".

They are also suggesting a commitment for a lifetime supply of nuclear fuel and the establishment of a fuel fabrication facility under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. The expression of interest also suggests there would be an undertaking for "the operation and maintenance of the nuclear power plant for an initial period of five years post-commissioning, ensuring smooth and efficient performance till NTPC personnel are able to confidently take over".

Holtec SMRs in India?

Meanwhile the USA's Holtec International says the US Department of Energy has authorised it to transfer SMR-300 small modular reactor technology for deployment in India.

The company says the authorisation names two Indian companies - Larsen & Tubro and Tata Consulting Engineers - and Holtec’s own India-based subsidiary, Holtec Asia, as eligible entities for Holtec to share necessary technical information.

Holtec says that "action to add additional GOI-owned (Government of India-owned) entities such as NPCIL, DAE, AERB and NTPC, to the eligible list has been delayed until the matter of assurances needed by the US from India is resolved to both countries' satisfaction".

Kris Singh, Holtec’s CEO, said: "Our SMR-300 checks every box relevant to India's needs and circumstances, such as a standardised design that is seismically competent to be deployed anywhere in India, one that requires only 25 acres of land to house two reactors, one that can be operated using air (in lieu of water) as the 'waste heat sink' in a water-challenged region, and one that can be substantially shop manufactured requiring minimal field erection effort."

Holtec says it plans to adapt the SMR-300 for 50Hz electricity if successful in the UK's small modular reactor selection process, "which will pave the way for use in India and other 50 Hz markets" - 60Hz is used in the USA.

India and the USA signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement (also known as a 123 Agreement) in 2008, after India - which is not a signatory of the international Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty - reached a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Kovvada, in Andhra Pradesh, was earmarked for the construction of six AP1000 pressurised water reactors as long ago as 2016, but contractual arrangements have yet to be finalised.

A techno-commercial offer for Kovvada submitted by Westinghouse in 2016 became invalid following the company's bankruptcy and subsequent takeover by Brookfield Business Partners, Singh told the parliament's upper house on 3 April. The government is waiting for Westinghouse to submit a revised offer, but the company has not yet done so because of "issues related to provisions of the CLND Act", Singh said in the written answer to the Rajya Sabha.In January the then National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the USA was finalising the necessary steps to remove long-standing regulations that have prevented civil nuclear cooperation between India's leading nuclear entities and US companies. India sets up committees to propose nuclear acts changes

Read More........ → June 19, 2025

World Bank lifts ban on nuclear energy financing

WASHINGTON - The World Bank is re-entering the nuclear energy space "for the first time in decades," its President Ajay Banga said, as it works towards meeting growing electricity demand in developing countries.

Banga said in an email to staff that the bank will work closely with United Nations nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "strengthening our ability to advise on non-proliferation safeguards" and regulatory frameworks.

The decision comes as electricity demand in developing countries is set to more than double by 2035, Banga noted in the memo seen by AFP.

To meet this need, annual investment in energy generation, grids and storage will have to increase from $280 billion today to about $630 billion.

"We will support efforts to extend the life of existing reactors in countries that already have them, and help support grid upgrades and related infrastructure," Banga said.

The Washington-based lender will also work to speed up the "potential of Small Modular Reactors" so these can become a viable choice for more countries eventually.

Banga, who took the helm of the development lender in 2023, has pushed for a change in the bank's energy policy -- and his letter comes a day after a board meeting.

"The goal is to help countries deliver the energy their people need, while giving them the flexibility to choose the path that best fits their development ambitions," Banga said.

Besides focusing on improving grid performance, he added that the institution will continue financing the retirement or repurposing of coal plants, supporting carbon capture for industry and power generation.

In April, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's spring meetings, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the bank could use resources more efficiently by helping emerging countries boost energy access.

He said that it should focus on "dependable technologies" rather than seek out "distortionary climate finance targets."

This could mean investing in gas and other fossil fuel-based energy production.

Bessent at the time also lauded the bank's efforts toward removing restrictions on support for nuclear energy.

Beyond the shift in nuclear energy financing, Banga said Wednesday that the bank has yet to reach an agreement within its board on whether it should "engage in upstream gas," and under what circumstances it should do so.The United States, which is the World Bank's biggest shareholder, is among countries to have campaigned for the group to rethink its ban on supporting nuclear projects. World Bank lifts ban on nuclear energy financing

Read More........ → June 16, 2025

Rolls-Royce SMR named as UK's selected technology

A rendering of a Rolls-Royce SMR power plant (Image: Rolls-Royce SMR)

Following a two-year competition, Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as the preferred bidder to construct the UK's first small modular reactors.

The UK aims to grow nuclear energy capacity to 24 GW by 2050, with a mix of traditional large-scale power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs). In July 2023, the Great British Nuclear arms-length body, set up to help deliver that extra capacity, began the selection process for which SMR technology to use. There were initially six companies shortlisted, with four shortlisted companies - GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse - entering negotiations last September. In February, the four SMR vendors were issued with an Invitation to Submit Final Tenders, three of which were submitted in April, with Westinghouse withdrawing.

Great British Nuclear, which has now been renamed Great British Energy - Nuclear as it moves to its delivery phase, today announced that Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as its preferred partner to develop SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature.

It said it is aiming to sign contracts with Rolls-Royce SMR later this year and will form a development company. It will also aim to allocate a site later this year and connect projects to the grid in the mid-2030s. A final investment decision is expected to be taken in 2029.

"This announcement is a defining moment for the UK's energy and industrial future," said Simon Bowen, Chairman of Great British Energy – Nuclear. "By selecting a preferred bidder, we are taking a decisive step toward delivering clean, secure, and sovereign power. This is about more than energy - it's about revitalising British industry, creating thousands of skilled jobs, and building a platform for long-term economic growth."

Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Chris Cholerton said: "This is a day to celebrate a milestone achievement. This success is testament to our incredible team which has developed a world-leading technology and worked tirelessly over the last two years to ensure we could provide a winning tender to GBN.

"As well as delivering affordable, clean energy to support our nation's energy independence - deploying three of our units will drive domestic growth by creating thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs and supply chain opportunities. We are the only SMR company with multiple commitments to build projects in Europe, testament to our differentiated design and compelling offer."

The company noted it has already been selected by Czech utility ČEZ to deliver up to 3 GW of electricity in the Czech Republic and that in Sweden Rolls-Royce SMR is in the final two SMRs in their technology selection process.

The Rolls-Royce SMR is a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years. 90% of the SMR - measuring about 16 metres by 4 metres - will be built in factory conditions, limiting on-site activity primarily to assembly of pre-fabricated, pre-tested, modules which significantly reduces project risk and has the potential to drastically shorten build schedules.

The Rolls-Royce SMR design is progressing through the final stage of the assessment by the UK nuclear regulators, the only SMR design to have so far reached that stage. The Generic Design Assessment is a three-step process carried out by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales to assess the safety, security, and environmental protection aspects of a nuclear power plant design that is intended to be deployed in Great Britain. Successful completion of the GDA culminates in the issue of a Design Acceptance Confirmation from the ONR and a Statement of Design Acceptability from the EA.

The selection of Rolls-Royce SMR as the winner of the UK Small Modular Reactor competition was welcomed by the Nuclear Industry Association, with its Chief Executive Tom Greatrex saying: "This is a hugely significant moment for Rolls-Royce SMR and for the British nuclear programme. These SMRs will provide essential energy security and clean power alongside large scale reactors, all the while creating thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs, opportunities for growth right across the country and significant export potential. We look forward to working with Rolls-Royce SMR and all other potential SMR vendors, including those not successful today, on making Britain the best place to build new nuclear anywhere in the world."

The original plan had been for two or three SMR technologies to be selected in the process. And in a statement in the House of Commons Energy Secretary Miliband said that other SMR technology companies may be part of private sector projects in the UK that "may want to come in and build sooner" than the government-backed scheme.

Reaction from Holtec

In response to the announcement on Tuesday, one of the two other shortlisted contenders, Holtec International, said it was disappointed and said its plans for a manufacturing facility in South Yorkshire "will now be scaled back in size and jobs while being delayed in terms of timeframe".

It congratulated Rolls-Royce SMR and said: "Despite the outcome from this competition, Holtec remains resolute in its belief that Holtec’s SMR-300 is among the most advanced, safe, and deployable reactor designs in the world. Our participation in the tender has further reinforced the global interest in our technology, and we are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our capabilities."

"Looking ahead, Holtec is intensifying its focus on partnerships with private-sector clients in the United Kingdom that can move at pace and international stakeholders who are seeking proven, scalable SMR solutions," its statement added.

Large plant plans

The selection of Rolls-Royce SMR came as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the UK government will make a GBP14.2 billion (USD19.2 billion) investment to build Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk as part of its Spending Review. The EDF-led plan is for Sizewell C to feature two EPRs. It would be a similar design to the two-unit plant being built at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, with the aim of building it more quickly and at lower cost as a result of the experience gained from what is the first new nuclear construction project in the UK for about three decades.

Miliband told members of parliament that Wylfa, in North Wales, was being considered by Great British Energy - Nuclear for potential future nuclear use, for either a further gigawatt-scale plant, or as a site for multiple SMRs.

What is an SMR?

Small modular reactors - also known as SMRs - are smaller nuclear power plants and are intended to be designed so that their parts can be factory-produced and assembled on site in a modular way allowing costs to fall as increasing numbers of the same SMR design are built.

The widely-accepted definition of an SMR is that it is a nuclear power reactor which has an output level of up to 300 MWe, which is about one-third of the power generated by a traditional-sized nuclear power plant unit. Each SMR could power about 600,000 homes, probably for 60-80 years.There are more than 70 different SMR designs in development, with Russia, China and Argentina leading the way in terms of constructing them so far with many other countries having hopes and plans for fleets of SMRs during the 2030s. Rolls-Royce SMR named as UK's selected technology

Read More........ → June 13, 2025