Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program

The European Commission has approved Poland's financial support plan for its first nuclear power plant, a €42bn project backed by public funding, state guarantees, and a contract for difference mechanism.
Six European nuclear authorities have completed the second phase of a joint review of the Nuward modular reactor, a key step toward aligning regulatory frameworks for small nuclear reactors across Europe.

Small modular reactor market to reach 912.5 MW by 2030

Driven by off-grid industrial heat demand and decarbonisation mandates, the global small modular reactor market is set to grow 24% annually through 2030, with installed capacity expected to triple within five years.
en_114099991226540-2
US fusion energy leaders have called on the federal government to redirect public funding towards their projects, arguing that large-scale investment is needed to stay competitive with China.
Santee Cooper has approved a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management to assess the feasibility of restarting two unfinished nuclear reactors, with a potential $2.7 billion payment and 550 MW capacity stake.

Helical Fusion signs Japan’s first fusion power purchase agreement with Aoki Super

Helical Fusion has signed a landmark agreement with Aoki Super to supply electricity from fusion, marking a first in Japan’s energy sector and a commercial step forward for the helical stellarator technology.
en_114099991226540
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.
en_11407771228540
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.
en_11407771229540
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.
en_11404441231540
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.
en_1140222221226540
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.
Korean group KEPCO and UAE-based ENEC have signed two memorandums of understanding to expand their cooperation in civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies targeting new international markets.
The Janus programme will deploy micro nuclear power plants across nine military bases to reinforce energy autonomy for critical U.S. Army installations.

Lightbridge launches irradiation testing of its fuel alloy in the United States

The Idaho National Laboratory has started irradiation testing on uranium-zirconium fuel samples from Lightbridge in its experimental reactor, marking a key step toward the industrial validation of advanced nuclear fuel.
en_11402020201130540-1
NexGen Energy has opened Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearings for the final approval of its Rook I uranium project, following more than six years of regulatory process.
Oklo has signed a binding agreement with Siemens Energy to accelerate manufacturing of the energy conversion system for its first advanced nuclear power plant in the United States.

New setback for TEPCO at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 48h before crucial political green light

A security document handling incident at the nuclear power plant renews concerns about TEPCO as a key decision on restarting reactors 6 and 7 approaches in Niigata.
en_114020201128540
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.
en_114019191140540
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.
en_114019191128540
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.
en_114017171137540
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.
en_1140131149540
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.