Nuclear Energy

India’s nuclear capacity is expected to grow by more than 13,000 MW by 2032, driven by ongoing heavy water reactor construction, new regional projects and small modular reactor development by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
NextEra Energy has lifted its earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026, supported by power demand linked to long‑term contracts previously signed with Google and Meta to supply their artificial intelligence data centres with low‑carbon electricity.

The United Kingdom reforms its nuclear regulation to reduce construction costs

London launches a complete regulatory overhaul of its nuclear industry to shorten authorisation timelines, expand eligible sites, and lower construction and financing costs.
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Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs extends the deadline to June 2026 for the regulator to complete its review of the operating licence for the Olkiluoto spent nuclear fuel repository.
Framatome will replace several digital control systems at the Columbia plant in the United States under a contract awarded by Energy Northwest.

Cigéo receives ASNR approval and enters final validation phase

The conditional green light from the nuclear regulator moves Cigéo into its final regulatory stage, while shifting the risks towards financing, territorial negotiations and industrial execution.
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The drone strike confirmed by the IAEA on the Chernobyl site vault exposes Ukraine to a nuclear risk under armed conflict, forcing the EBRD to finance partial restoration while industry standards must now account for drone threats.
Deep Fission is installing a 15 MWe pressurised reactor 1.6 km underground at Great Plains Industrial Park, under the Department of Energy’s accelerated pilot programme, targeting criticality by July 4, 2026.

EDF secures 12-year nuclear power contract with battery manufacturer Verkor

EDF commits to supply 33 MW of nuclear electricity to Verkor over 12 years, enabling the battery manufacturer to stabilise energy costs ahead of launching its first Gigafactory.
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The full-scope simulator for the Lianjiang nuclear project has successfully passed factory acceptance testing, paving the way for its installation at the construction site in China's Guangdong province.
A coalition of Danish industry groups, unions and investors launches a platform in support of modular nuclear power, aiming to develop firm low-carbon capacity to sustain industrial competitiveness.

The United Kingdom launches TAE Beam UK backed by Google in fusion

The United Kingdom and TAE Technologies create a joint venture in Culham to produce neutral beams, a key component of fusion, with strategic backing from Google.
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Texas-based developer Natura Resources receives new federal funding to test key components of its 100-megawatt modular reactor in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Niigata regional assembly is deliberating on restarting unit 6 of the world’s largest nuclear plant, thirteen years after operations ceased following the Fukushima disaster.

Belgium: Doel 2 permanently shut down after fifty years of operation

Reactor Doel 2 was taken offline, becoming the fifth Belgian reactor to cease operations under the country’s gradual nuclear phase-out policy.
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Rolls-Royce SMR has expanded its partnership with ÚJV Řež to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, targeting the construction of several units in the Czech Republic and abroad.
The Indian government aims to amend legislation to allow private companies to participate in civil nuclear development, a move positioned as critical to achieving the country’s long-term energy targets.

China completes modular construction of Xudabao 4 passive tank

The VVER-1200 nuclear reactor at Xudabao 4 in China has completed installation of its final passive water tank, marking the end of modular construction for the second phase of the project.
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Ottawa and Edmonton commit to a nuclear production roadmap by 2050, through a memorandum of understanding also covering carbon capture and an Indigenous-led pipeline project.
Niamey asserts control over its uranium resources by authorising open market sales of Somaïr’s production, formerly operated by France’s Orano, amid ongoing legal disputes.
An initial civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed between the United States and Saudi Arabia, prompting calls from the US Congress for strict safeguards to prevent a Middle East arms race.
The launch of the Zhaoyuan nuclear project anchors the Hualong One model inland, illustrating Beijing’s strategy of regulatory normalisation in response to Western technological restrictions.

TRISO-X begins vertical construction on advanced nuclear fuel facility in Tennessee

TRISO-X has started above-ground works on the first U.S. facility dedicated to manufacturing fuel for small modular reactors, marking a key industrial milestone in the deployment of the Xe-100.
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The first Russian test rig for the experimental ITER reactor has been delivered to the site in France, marking a major milestone in the international collaboration on nuclear fusion.
A strategic report reveals the industrial and energy potential of Allseas’ offshore small modular reactor, which could create up to 40,000 jobs and reduce investment in the power grid.

Japan approves partial restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant

Niigata’s governor is expected to approve the restart of one reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, inactive since the Fukushima accident, reviving a strategic asset for Japan’s energy sector.
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Canadian firm Aecon and private developer Norsk Kjernekraft have signed a strategic agreement targeting the deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors across several potential locations in Norway.
The South African government has officially lifted the PBMR reactor out of inactivity, launching a public investment programme and transferring the strategic nuclear asset from Eskom to Necsa.

France locks in €100bn nuclear programme under state control

The French Court of Auditors values EDF’s grand carénage at over €100bn, while EPR2 reactors already exceed €67–75bn. The State simultaneously directs regulation, financing, and industrial strategy, raising the risk of conflict of interest.
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Belarus commits major public investment to add a third reactor at the Ostrovets plant and initiates studies for a second nuclear site to support national energy demand.
Framatome’s accident-tolerant fuel prototype has completed a second 24-month cycle in a commercial nuclear reactor in the United States, paving the way for a third phase of industrial testing.

UK to install three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors at Wylfa nuclear site

The Wylfa site in Wales will host three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors from 2026, marking a strategic investment in the UK’s nuclear expansion.
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EDF confirmed that the Flamanville EPR has reached a major milestone, while planning a nearly year-long shutdown in 2026 for extensive regulatory inspections and key component replacement.
EDF is opening access to its long-term nuclear supply contracts to companies consuming more than 7 GWh per year, an adjustment driven by the gradual end of the Arenh mechanism.

South Korea extends operation of Kori 2 nuclear reactor until 2033

South Korean authorities have approved the continued operation of the Kori 2 reactor for an additional eight years, marking a key milestone in the national nuclear strategy.
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A public-private consortium is developing a 5 MW thermal microreactor designed to operate without refuelling for ten years, marking a strategic step in Brazil's nuclear innovation efforts.
EDF has announced that the Flamanville EPR reactor is now operating at 80% of its capacity. The target of reaching full output by the end of autumn remains confirmed by the utility.

Oklo secures key approval for upcoming nuclear fuel facility

The accelerated approval of the Aurora facility’s nuclear safety plan marks a strategic milestone in rebuilding a domestic nuclear fuel production line in the United States.
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The Industrikraft consortium will invest SEK400mn ($42.2mn) to become a shareholder in Videberg Kraft, marking a new phase in Sweden’s nuclear project led by Vattenfall on the Värö Peninsula.
MVM Group has signed an agreement with Westinghouse to secure VVER-440 fuel supplies from 2028, reducing its reliance on Russia and strengthening nuclear cooperation between Budapest and Washington.