Claire Coutinho

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.

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.
en_1140131125540
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.
en_1140111153540
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.

TVEL resumes nuclear cooperation with Vietnam through new fuel delivery

The delivery of nuclear fuel by Russian subsidiary TVEL to the Da Lat research reactor marks a key step in strengthening the nuclear commercial partnership between Moscow and Hanoi.
en_1140111154540
US supplier X-energy has formalised a graphite supply contract with Japan's Toyo Tanso for the construction of its first four small modular reactors, in partnership with Dow and backed by the US Department of Energy.
US-based Enveniam has signed an agreement with LIS Technologies Inc. to oversee the design and construction of a new laser-based uranium enrichment facility on American soil.
US company Intuitive Machines has secured an additional contract to develop compact nuclear technology for lunar missions and extended space infrastructure.
Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo has officially requested the extension of operations for reactors Almaraz I and II until 2030, challenging the original timeline for the shutdown of Spain’s nuclear fleet.

Amentum secures key contracts under £1.4bn Sellafield nuclear programme

US-based Amentum has secured strategic roles on a 15-year decommissioning framework in the United Kingdom, potentially worth up to £1.4bn ($1.9bn), through multiple projects at the Sellafield site.
en_114021155540
Finland’s Olkiluoto nuclear plant will receive a €90mn ($104mn) loan from the European Investment Bank to upgrade units I and II as part of a programme aiming to extend their operational lifespan.
Electrabel has entrusted Framatome with upgrading the control system of the Tihange 3 reactor, reinforcing Belgium’s nuclear extension strategy launched in 2023.

Hitachi to expand US capacity to support nuclear revival and AI demand

Hitachi joins Washington and Tokyo in strategic projects to modernise the US grid and back artificial intelligence expansion through nuclear and electrification investments.
en_1140290937540
NANO Nuclear restructures its Canadian operations under the name True North Nuclear to accelerate regulatory and industrial development of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor.
Cameco and Brookfield have signed a strategic agreement with the US government to build new Westinghouse reactors, a project valued at a minimum of $80bn, including an unprecedented public participation mechanism.

Kazakhstan begins negotiations to export uranium to Finland

Talks are underway between Astana and Helsinki to consider the delivery of Kazakh uranium for Finnish nuclear power plants, amid efforts to diversify energy export markets.
en_1140281047540
NextEra Energy announces an agreement with Google to restart a nuclear plant in Iowa, with operations expected to resume as early as 2029 and full site ownership secured.
The environmental review of TerraPower’s Natrium project in Wyoming has been completed, paving the way for a construction permit for this advanced nuclear reactor.

Brookfield secures exclusive deal to revive two nuclear reactors in the United States

Santee Cooper has selected Brookfield Asset Management to lead a feasibility study aimed at completing two unfinished AP1000 reactors, without relying on public funds or raising consumer rates.
en_1140261034540
Endesa, Iberdrola and Naturgy have officially requested the Spanish government to delay the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for 2028, reigniting the debate on nuclear power's role in the national energy mix.
The reactor vessel for Unit 1 at Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear plant has been delivered following a 20-day maritime transport from Saint Petersburg, marking a critical milestone in the country’s energy project.

Canada invests $2.1bn in Ontario Power Generation’s modular reactor project

Ontario Power Generation secures CAD3bn ($2.1bn) in public equity financing to construct four modular reactors at Darlington, aiming to ease private sector entry into next-generation nuclear infrastructure.
en_1140261070540
French developer Newcleo launches a joint venture with Nextchem through a EUR70 mn contract to design the conventional island of its upcoming 200 MW modular nuclear reactors.
NANO Nuclear strengthens its North American strategy by acquiring Global First Power in Canada, securing regulatory rights for its KRONOS MMR™ project at Chalk River.

South Korea submits first nuclear safeguards report for SMR

South Korea becomes the first country to submit a safeguards technical report to the IAEA for a small modular reactor, setting a precedent for early integration of non-proliferation requirements in nuclear design.
en_1140221086540
The Environmental Authority criticises the lack of key data on health risks, chemical discharges and construction safety for EDF's two upcoming EPR2 reactors in Seine-Maritime.
Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.