Laura St Juste Kidd, Author at Nuclear Careers

NASA’s Focus on Nuclear Tech in Space

NASA’s Renewed Push into Space Nuclear Propulsion: What It Means for the Future Workforce

NASA has quietly crossed a threshold that the space and nuclear industries have awaited for decades; the first full‑scale testing of flight‑like nuclear rocket hardware since the 1960s. Recent cold‑flow test campaigns, conducted at the Marshall Space Flight Center using full‑scale, non‑nuclear reactor prototypes, mark a major inflection point in the revival of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) technologies

Across more than 100 tests, engineers demonstrated stable propellant flow, validated fluid‑dynamic behaviour, and confirmed reactor designs that resist destructive oscillations and pressure waves—issues that historically hindered earlier programs like NERVA. These results provide some of the most detailed performance data seen in over half a century.

But the significance goes far beyond a technical milestone; NASA is building the foundations for a new operational era in deep‑space travel. Nuclear propulsion promises dramatically shorter transit times, enhanced mission endurance, and larger payload capacities, critical enablers for human exploration of Mars and sustained operations in cislunar space.

At the same time, industry partners such as BWX Technologies and General Atomics are advancing reactor components and fuels capable of withstanding extreme hydrogen‑rich, high‑temperature environments. Some materials have now demonstrated survivability up to 3000 K, paving the way for engines two to three times more efficient than conventional chemical rockets.

While the cancellation of the DARPA–NASA DRACO in‑orbit NTP demonstration represents a near‑term setback for flight testing, the technical momentum has not slowed. NASA’s internal propulsion programmes and private‑sector innovators continue to build on the mature design data emerging from these recent campaigns.

Why This Matters for Nuclear Careers

Nuclear propulsion, once a historical footnote, is resurging as one of the most transformative technical domains for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and policy specialists.

Here’s what this means for our sector:

1. A New Talent Horizon

The integration of nuclear systems into human‑rated spacecraft requires nuclear engineers fluent in both terrestrial reactor principles and space‑environment constraints. Materials science, thermal‑hydraulics, radiation effects, and high‑temperature fuel fabrication are suddenly skills in high demand.

2. An Era of Cross‑Disciplinary Acceleration

Space nuclear propulsion is inherently multidisciplinary. Reactor physicists are collaborating with aerospace engineers; metallurgists are working with propulsion designers; regulatory thinkers are engaging with mission planners. Careers at this interface will define the next decade of innovation.

3. A Strategic Inflection Point

As travel times shrink and mission capabilities grow, nuclear propulsion becomes a strategic asset for national space ambitions. The workforce that develops, validates, and governs this technology will shape how quickly humanity reaches Mars and how sustainably we operate once we get there.

The Takeaway

NASA’s recent reactor test campaigns signal more than technological progress; they mark the re‑emergence of nuclear propulsion as a central pillar of exploration strategy. For professionals entering or advancing within the nuclear field, this is an unprecedented moment. The skills, creativity, and leadership developed within today’s nuclear workforce will directly influence humanity’s reach across the solar system.

This is not just about building rockets – it’s about building the future talent and expertise that will power the next leap forward.

Picture: zugtimes.com

AI, Nuclear, and the Next Decade of Infrastructure

Why Delivery Discipline Will Decide the Winners

Artificial intelligence has accelerated energy demand faster than any previous technology cycle, shifting the bottleneck for digital growth from chips to clean, round‑the‑clock electricity. The tech sector’s pivot toward nuclear power is not a passing headline; it is the logical response to AI’s need for firm, carbon‑free baseload that can be sited near data centres and scaled reliably.

What matters now is execution: turning promising agreements, restarts, and advanced designs into electrons on the grid—on schedule and within budget.

Across the nuclear lifecycle, AI is already reshaping how plants are planned, operated, and decommissioned. The industry has struggled with delays and overruns on first‑of‑a‑kind megaprojects; AI‑driven optimisation tools are starting to change that, allowing developers to simulate thousands of build sequences, stress‑test labour and supply constraints, and re‑plan in real time when conditions shift. This is not abstract theory, it’s being applied to address workforce scarcities, sequencing of safety windows during decommissioning, and dynamic site logistics, with measurable impacts on schedule risk.

The most consequential near‑term trend is the “restart revolution.” Rather than waiting a decade for new capacity, hyperscalers and utilities are reviving retired reactors, combining digital refurbishment strategies with long‑term power purchase agreements to bring firm, zero‑carbon capacity back to the grid.

Google and NextEra’s plan to return Iowa’s 615‑MW Duane Arnold Energy Center to service under a 25‑year agreement is emblematic: existing steel, skilled operators, and proven regulatory pathways reduce risk and compress timelines, while private offtake capital underwrites the restart economics. Similar moves are underway in Pennsylvania and Michigan, signalling a pragmatic, delivery‑first mindset from energy buyers.

Big Tech’s interest goes beyond revivals. Companies are aligning with advanced reactor developers to secure clean, reliable power through the 2030s. Deals to purchase output from small modular reactors reflect a strategic hedge: SMRs promise factory‑built repeatability, smaller site footprints, and potential co‑location near data centres, if licensing and first‑unit delivery stay on track.

The timing mismatch remains real, many AI loads are arriving in the next three to five years, while new nuclear typically needs longer, but the combination of restarts now and advanced builds later offers a credible portfolio approach for hyperscale electricity demand.

Inside operating fleets, AI is raising performance by moving plants from periodic, reactive maintenance to continuous, predictive optimisation. Algorithms trained on sensor streams are catching failure modes earlier, trimming forced outages, and fine‑tuning reactor conditions for efficiency gains measured in fuel savings and megawatt‑hours delivered. Case studies from U.S. reactors show seven‑figure annual benefits per unit from machine‑learning tools that cut analysis time and improve outage planning, practical enhancements that compound across a fleet. These advances are complemented by AI‑enhanced operator training and digital twins that improve response readiness and standardise best practice.

Regulators and policymakers are beginning to treat digital capabilities as core to nuclear competitiveness. Cloud‑native licensing workflows, AI‑assisted design verification, and automated supply‑chain assurance are moving from pilot projects to strategy, but policy frameworks must catch up. Restart pathways, advanced reactor approvals, cyber resilience rules, and export controls were built for an analogue era; adapting them to software‑defined systems will be decisive for national and sectoral competitiveness. The fastest‑moving jurisdictions will not only deploy capacity more quickly; they will also attract talent and capital in the nuclear‑digital nexus.

At the macro level, AI’s electricity appetite is transforming nuclear from a climate‑led aspiration into an economic imperative. Data‑centre load growth is outpacing historic grid planning cycles, and the combination of security, reliability, and decarbonisation has narrowed the list of viable solutions. Leaders in industry and international institutions are now explicit: the scale and speed of AI all but compel a partnership with nuclear if economies want clean, 24/7 power at density and durability sufficient for hyperscale computing. That alignment of incentives; climate, competitiveness, and grid stability, has moved nuclear to the centre of the energy strategy for the AI age.

Still, credibility hinges on delivery. Even with restarts and SMRs, the sector must demonstrate that lessons from past cost escalation have been internalised. This is where AI‑native project controls, digital twins for construction, and integrated workforce planning can become the difference between an on‑time unit and a cautionary tale. AI‑optimised scheduling can surface critical paths and resource clashes early; predictive analytics can manage welding, rebar, and concrete skill bottlenecks; and real‑time dashboards can tie safety windows and security requirements to executable work plans. When applied consistently, these tools don’t just shave weeks—they change the risk posture of nuclear delivery.

For nuclear‑careers.com readers, the career implications are profound. The most valuable profiles will be bilingual across atoms and algorithms—engineers and project managers who can translate between reactor physics, regulatory constraints, and AI‑enabled decision systems. Operators with experience in data‑driven maintenance will lead reliability programmes; licensing professionals versed in digital workflows will unlock permitting speed; cybersecurity experts will harden increasingly software‑centric control systems; and construction leaders comfortable with AI‑guided logistics will own the critical path. This convergence is not a niche; it is the operating model for the next generation of nuclear deployment.

The opportunities extend beyond electricity. As nations explore nuclear‑enabled hydrogen, industrial heat, and desalination, AI will optimise multi‑product operations and dispatch across markets. For utilities, coupling nuclear with AI‑enhanced forecasting and demand flexibility adds further value to firm generation. For communities, restarts offer near‑term job creation and long‑term economic stability; in Iowa, for example, projected benefits from bringing Duane Arnold back online include hundreds of high‑quality jobs and billions in state‑level economic impact, anchored by a technology that aligns with net‑zero commitments.

The bottom line is simple. AI is forcing an honest conversation about energy systems, and nuclear has emerged as the credible backbone for clean, reliable, high‑density power. The next decade won’t be won by press releases; it will be won by delivery discipline, teams that fuse nuclear expertise with AI‑driven planning, regulators that modernise rules for digital realities, and businesses that commit to the long view. Those who execute will set the pace for the intelligence economy. Those who hesitate will be managing shortages. The future of AI will be decided not by microchips, but by megawatts and nuclear is ready to provide them, if we choose to build with precision.

Author’s Note — Laura, Director at Nuclear Careers

We are entering a phase where project delivery expertise will be the defining competitive advantage for countries and companies alike. The talent market is already signalling what comes next; hybrid roles that blend engineering with data science, licensing with digital workflows, and construction leadership with AI‑guided logistics.

If you’re building a career in this field, invest in that bilingual skillset of atoms and algorithms.

If you’re hiring, prioritise teams that can execute at speed without compromising safety.

The AI era will reward those who can turn credible plans into grid‑connected reality.

Sources: neimagazine.com, nuclearbusiness-platform.com, aimagazine.com, www.technologyreview.com, www.cnbc.com

Picture: unite.ai

How Shifting U.S. Energy Policy Is Reshaping the Talent Landscape

One year into the latest U.S. administration, the energy sector has experienced tectonic policy shifts that blend industrial urgency with geopolitical ambition.

At the centre of these changes is a refocusing of national energy strategy toward speed, security, and domestic competitiveness, changes already influencing the workforce demands across clean, reliable baseload technologies such as nuclear.

Digital Infrastructure Drives a New Era of Energy Demand

A surge in U.S. data‑centre expansion, treated as a strategic national asset, has been one of the clearest signals of this new policy direction.

With digital infrastructure now dictating energy priorities, the emphasis on grid reliability and uninterrupted power supply has intensified.

For the nuclear sector, long valued for its stability and low‑carbon generation, this creates a renewed platform to position reactor technologies and nuclear‑skilled professionals as essential to the digital economy’s energy backbone.

Tariffs and Supply Chain Disruption Shift Skills Requirements

A sweeping escalation in tariffs has strained supply chains for core energy‑sector materials, from metals to power‑system components, raising project costs and injecting uncertainty across the industry.

The ripple effect has already driven a dramatic rise in tariff‑related job postings, signalling the need for specialists who can navigate complex procurement, regulatory, and engineering challenges.

For nuclear employers, this environment increases demand for professionals skilled in supply‑chain resilience, component qualification, and strategic sourcing.

Persistent Demand Growth Strengthens the Case for Nuclear Talent

Despite volatility, U.S. power demand continues to surge at record levels. Utilities and developers are being pushed to innovate, diversify, and accelerate project pipelines.

Because nuclear offers round‑the‑clock reliability, predictable generation, and enhanced energy security, these conditions heighten the sector’s strategic relevance and intensify the need for a workforce capable of delivering new build, life‑extension, SMR deployment, and advanced reactor innovation.

What This Means for the Nuclear Workforce

The evolving U.S. landscape underscores a global truth; energy security, digital growth, and clean power commitments are converging, and nuclear expertise sits at that intersection.

For organisations and professionals in the nuclear industry, this moment calls for:

Adaptive skills in regulatory policy, geopolitically aware supply‑chain planning, and safety‑critical engineering.
Strategic leadership capable of guiding complex capital projects through shifting market and policy conditions.
Innovation‑ready talent prepared to support SMRs, microreactors, advanced fuels, and hybrid energy systems.
Cross‑sector fluency, especially with digital infrastructure, storage, AI‑driven grid optimisation, and industrial decarbonisation.

As the energy landscape transforms, nuclear careers are not just participating, they’re becoming central to enabling resilient, future‑proof power systems.

Picture: businessinsider.com

Rolls‑Royce and Amentum Propel Europe’s SMR Revolution

Amentum and Rolls‑Royce SMR Forge a Defining Partnership for Europe’s Nuclear Future

A major step toward a revitalised nuclear landscape in Europe is taking shape as Rolls‑Royce SMR and Amentum formalise a partnership designed to deliver the first wave of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the UK and the Czech Republic.

This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the sector, uniting Rolls‑Royce SMR’s advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities with Amentum’s global expertise in programme delivery and complex nuclear infrastructure. Together, the companies are positioning SMRs as a cornerstone of future clean‑energy systems across Europe.

Rolls‑Royce SMR’s appointment of Amentum as its programme delivery partner places Amentum at the heart of Europe’s first SMR deployments. The company will play a central role in integrating and overseeing all major elements of delivery, governance, construction management, and multi‑disciplinary programme execution.

With a well‑established footprint in the UK and deep technical expertise across the full nuclear life cycle, Amentum is set to guide these projects from inception to grid integration, ensuring they remain on schedule and on budget. The UK stands to benefit enormously from this union.

Rolls‑Royce SMR expects to provide up to 1.5 GW of low‑carbon power to the national grid while supporting national net‑zero ambitions. Beyond energy contributions, the programme is expected to generate more than 8,000 skilled long‑term jobs, creating significant opportunities across engineering, construction, and the wider nuclear supply chain.

Czechia will also see major investment through the deployment of up to 3 GW of new SMR‑based capacity, reinforcing the region’s commitment to clean, reliable nuclear energy.

Both organisations emphasise the strategic value of the partnership. Rolls‑Royce SMR underscores that combining its advanced manufacturing leadership with Amentum’s proven delivery capabilities will allow multiple international projects to be executed with confidence and consistency.

Amentum, meanwhile, highlights the collaboration as a catalyst for strengthening European energy security and accelerating the transition to resilient, low‑carbon infrastructure. The shared commitment reflects a vision not only to deploy early SMR projects but to lay the groundwork for a fleet‑based approach that can scale rapidly across global markets.

This next generation of nuclear technology is designed around factory‑built precision and modular construction, an approach that dramatically reduces on‑site work, minimises cost risk, and avoids the lengthy timelines that have historically challenged large nuclear builds.

Approximately 90% of each Rolls‑Royce SMR unit will be manufactured in factory conditions before being transported for assembly, enabling repeatable, standardised deployment in diverse environments.

Retaining a 470 MWe output and a service life of at least 60 years, each reactor provides reliable baseload power while benefiting from modern engineering enhancements, including innovative seismic protection systems under development in partnership with engineering specialists such as Skanska.

For the nuclear workforce, supply chain partners, and future entrants into the sector, this collaboration signals the emergence of a new industrial era. The programme will expand opportunities in advanced manufacturing, civil engineering, regulatory oversight, systems integration, digital design, and project management, fields that will underpin SMR deployment for decades to come.

As the UK and Czech Republic begin to realise their first SMR projects, the Rolls‑Royce SMR–Amentum partnership is not only reshaping the energy landscape but also redefining the scale of opportunity available to the nuclear profession.

This alliance demonstrates the powerful role that SMRs can play in strengthening energy resilience, supporting decarbonisation, and revitalising nuclear capability across Europe.

With delivery partners now aligned and early development milestones underway, the stage is firmly set for a new chapter in nuclear innovation, one driven by collaboration, standardisation, and a shared commitment to a clean‑energy future.

Picture: Rolls Royce SMR

Nuclear Week in Parliament

Nuclear Week in Parliament is an annual event taking place throughout the Palace of Westminster, hosted by the Nuclear Industry Association.

We spent time during the afternoon at the AECOM sponsored panel session which was supported by Baroness Bloomfield and Lord Iain McNicol.

Richard Whitehead, CEO of AECOM, gave an introduction that commented about having a focus on delivery, turning ambition and strategy into tangible actions.

Cameron Tompkin added that we have seen projects hampered by delays and cost overruns which in turn has affected local jobs, all while infrastructure has been getting bigger and more complex. The Prime Minister’s nuclear focus was mentioned as positive and the creation of groups such as NISTA is a positive move. Faster and better regulations with the ability to foster new technologies will put the UK in a powerful position.

Panellists included David Schofield, Chief Geologist, Nuclear Waste Services; Sarah MacGregor, Forests with Impact Programme Director and Head of Social Sustainability at Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland; Paul Roberts, Business Director for Decommissioning and Site Services, Nuvia; Eloise John, Energy Director, AECOM.

A few recurring topics surfaced during the talk such as the need to bring in new people to diversify the industry and the skills base. This is going to be crucial if we are going to meet the growing demand for talent and if we want to meet project obligations head on efficiently.

Embedding a culture of knowledge sharing, making the most of AI and digital transformations will all be critical aspects of project success. Shared goals must align up front and be smart all while understanding that technology/AI won’t be replacing experts but will; however, be utilised to support us to be more productive.

Collaboration with industry is fundamental to successful delivery and with a sharper eye on sustainability, strategies must be incorporated into project planning and ensuring there is a strong bids & tenders process.

All in all, we felt that people do want to move forward with a new sense of unison while also understanding that we need to tweak the way we bring talent into the industry. 2025 saw us build foundations and 2026 will be a make-or-break year for talent sourcing and retention.

Reach out to us today to find out how we can help support your recruitment and hiring strategies. Whether you need an in-house consultant or you require a retained talent search, we have the expertise to help you hire the right people today.

Bulgaria Bets Big on SMRs for a Clean Energy Future

Bulgaria is charting a bold course in its nuclear landscape by embracing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) not just as power plants, but as catalysts for energy security, decarbonisation, and high-tech growth. The spotlight is on the BWRX‑300 design from GE Vernova Hitachi, and several recent developments make this an especially exciting moment for the sector.

A Strategic Joint Venture to Launch SMRs

New JV is linked to Poland’s Synthos Green Energy (SGE) and Bulgaria’s Blue Bird Energy (BBE), a consortium anchored by Glavbolgarstroy and Asarel‑Medet, have signed a letter of intent to create a joint venture targeting up to six BWRX‑300 units in Bulgaria.

These 300 MWe reactors, harnessing passive safety and natural circulation, leverage the proven design lineage of the conventional ESBWR, offering a compact yet robust addition to Bulgaria’s nuclear fleet.

The JV’s mandate is extensive and incorporates site selection and licensing to construction, funding, and operation, designed to jumpstart a domestic SMR ecosystem.

There’s high-level momentum & global backing for Bulgaria as well as diplomatic synergy from Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov engaged with GE Vernova’s Roger Martella, first in New York and later in Sofia, to explore partnerships.

These discussions followed an MoU from August 2024 between Bulgarian Energy Holding and GE Hitachi, laying a groundwork for BWRX‑300 development

With cross-border cooperation with a U.S.–Bulgaria intergovernmental agreement, signed during an IAEA conference, includes provisions for civil nuclear support, U.S. lab participation in feasibility studies, and potential funding via the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

And why does Bulgaria’s Embracing of SMR’s Matter?

Energy stability with low emissions, economic & industrial uplift, and supply chain integration will all see a productive impact.

Bulgaria already generates ~⅓ of its electricity with two VVER‑1000 units and is building two AP1000 reactors at Kozloduy. SMRs will deliver reliable, clean baseload power while supporting grid flexibility.

These reactor platforms can energise new data centres, AI hubs, gigafactories, and hydrogen facilities, turning Bulgaria into a regional innovation powerhouse.

With local industry players in the JV, Bulgarian firms are poised to join the global SMR value chain, boosting domestic jobs and capabilities.

GE Vernova’s BWRX‑300 is already under construction in Canada, and the technology is attracting interest in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Romania, underscoring its momentum across Europe.

Bulgaria’s approach is both balanced and strategic, maintaining large-core reactors at Kozloduy while advancing agile, low-carbon SMRs to complement and diversify its nuclear capacity.

With active engagement from U.S.-based U.S. national labs and financial channels, Bulgaria is aligning global nuclear expertise with local readiness, ensuring a well-rounded deployment pathway.

In conclusion

Bulgaria’s nuclear vision is crystal clear – harmonising legacy nuclear strengths with cutting edge SMR innovation to forge a resilient, clean, and future-ready energy system. With its cross-border partnerships, industrial leadership, and technology-forward mindset, Bulgaria is positioning itself to become a beacon of nuclear excellence in Southeastern Europe and a potential model for global SMR deployment.

If you want a deeper dive into BWRX‑300 safety features, licensing trajectories, or how SMRs integrate with national energy frameworks, we’d love to hear from you.

Sources: nucnet.org, bta.bg, gbs-bg.com, neimagazine.com, economic.bg, world-nuclear-news.org

Picture: Bulgarian Energy Ministry

NRC Extends Clinton and Dresden Licenses to 2050

Constellation Energy has secured a major regulatory victory, with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granting 20-year license renewals for Clinton Unit 1 and Dresden Units 2 and 3, marking crucial milestones in the ongoing push to sustain and extend nuclear power’s contribution to the energy mix.

Beginning with the Nuclear Engineering International article on “Life ex for Clinton and Dresden,” we learn these Illinois reactors, once slated for shutdown, are now cleared to operate well into mid-century; Clinton until 2047, Dresden 2 until 2049, and Dresden 3 until 2051. This regulatory win caps a comprehensive assessment of safety, equipment integrity, and environmental impacts, essential benchmarks underpinning the renewals.

Behind the scenes, Constellation has invested more than $370 million across both sites, upgrading transformers, chillers, feedwater systems, and polisher units to enhance reliability, efficiency, and safety standards. These upgrades are not just technical necessities; they signal a strategic bet on nuclear’s enduring role in clean energy portfolios, and bolster grid stability.

The nuclear project also embodies broader economic and social benefits. These extended licenses help safeguard over 2,200 family-sustaining jobs and preserve nearly $8.1 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues. Furthermore, a landmark 20-year power purchase agreement with Meta provides Clinton with essential revenue certainty following the sunset of Illinois’ Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) scheme in 2027. These contracts are emblematic of how corporate partnerships are reshaping the economic viability of nuclear operations.

The NucNet report emphasises how this trio of license renewals adds to a growing cohort, thirteen reactors secured multi-decade extensions in 2025 alone, offering over 12 GW of sustained, carbon-free energy capacity for roughly 10 million homes. This reflects a concerted effort by the NRC to streamline approvals and underscore long-term energy resilience.

Finally, the Constellation press release reiterates the NRC’s commitment not only to stringent safety standards but also to process efficiency. With these decisions, Clinton and Dresden are poised to supply clean, dependable power while underpinning local economies and preserving critical industry talent.

By extending these plants into the 2040s and 2050s, Constellation is demonstrating that nuclear can successfully compete in today’s energy markets, especially when backed by regulatory foresight, strategic capital investment, and future-facing offtake agreements.

This story offers rich insight for nuclear careers professionals; maintaining existing fleet infrastructure represents a pivotal career pathway, as nuclear operators, regulators, and suppliers drive the twin missions of extension and modernisation.

Sources: constellation energy, energyonline.com, nucnet.org, power-eng.com, neimagazine.com, nrc.gov

Picture: Constellation

Sweden Seeks State Aid for New Nuclear Reactors

In a decisive move to reignite Sweden’s nuclear ambitions, Videberg Kraft AB, backed by state-owned Vattenfall and a coalition of leading industrial players through Industrikraft, is leading the charge for a new era of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) on the country’s west coast.

On December 23, Videberg Kraft formally submitted its application to the Swedish government, seeking state-backed financing and risk-sharing support under Sweden’s newly established nuclear aid framework.

This marks the first such application under groundbreaking legislation, enacted in August 2025, which enables state loans and two-way Contracts for Difference to de-risk next-generation nuclear projects within the EU regulatory paradigm. The proposed site is the Värö Peninsula at Ringhals, once home to four reactors, two of which are now slated for renewal with SMRs capable of delivering around 1,500 MW.

Industrial heavyweight commitment is shaping the project’s financing structure. Industrikraft, a consortium including Saab, Volvo, Alfa Laval, ABB, Hitachi Energy, and others, is acquiring a 20 % stake in Videberg Kraft, signalling robust private-sector investment and portfolio diversification away from fossil-intensive power. This strategic alignment not only strengthens risk-sharing but also reflects a shared imperative; clean, stable energy underpinning electrification of heavy industries like steel, chemicals, and transport.

Currently, the project team is evaluating two cutting-edge SMR technologies, GE Vernova/Hitachi’s BWRX‑300 and Rolls‑Royce’s modular design. A final choice between five BWRX‑300 or three Rolls‑Royce units is expected in 2026, with deployment following through in phases targeting a total of 1,500 MW and perhaps even more, with potential for an additional 1,000 MW in subsequent stages.

State involvement is a game-changer. The support model not only offers low-cost loans but also income stabilisation through two-way Contracts for Difference, a mechanism essential for securing investor confidence and compliance with EU state-aid rules. Already in dialogue with the European Commission, Sweden aims to replicate precedents set by Poland’s approved state-backed nuclear scheme.

Through this bold application, Sweden is sending a loud signal; nuclear power remains central to its vision of a 100 % fossil-free energy system. As Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson put it, “New fossil-free electricity production is critical for the electrification of Sweden’s transport and industry”. The move also reignites a conversation that once favoured a total nuclear phase-out, parliament reversed that decision in 2010, and now eight reactors remain in operation.

Videberg Kraft’s state aid application is more than a paper filing, it’s a strategic gambit to reshape Sweden’s electric grid, drive industrial decarbonisation, and leapfrog into modular nuclear innovation.

As negotiations with the Swedish government and the European Commission progress, the world will be watching whether this blend of public guarantee and private ambition delivers the next generation of clean, reliable power.

Sources: world-energy.org, oilprice.com, world-nuclear-news.org

Picture: XINHUA

Seawater Uranium for Nuclear Fuel

Cropland uranium resources are finite, at today’s consumption rates, terrestrial deposits may last barely a century. But the oceans? They hold approximately 4.5 billion tonnes of uranium, enough to fuel nuclear power for millennia. Unlocking this vast potential demands technological breakthroughs and recent research is lighting the path.

Exploring the Seawater Solution

A recent Springer chapter outlines the challenges and progress in extracting uranium from seawater. Key barriers include ultralow uranium concentration (around 3.3 µg/L), competition from ions such as vanadium, fouling of adsorbents, and efficiency losses under harsh ocean conditions. Amidoxime-functionalised polymers have emerged as the benchmark due to their strong uranium-binding affinity and resilience, but issues remain in scaling up, maintaining high ligand density, and achieving cost-effective, durable sorbents.

Electrochemical Innovation: A Saltwater Harvesting Garage

In a press release from ACS Central Science, researchers report a significant breakthrough using electrocoated cloth electrodes. Carbon-fibre cloth was modified with amidoxime-functionalised polymers, creating a porous matrix that, under cyclic voltage in Bohai Sea water, captured around 12.6 mg U per gram of material over 24 days, three times faster than passive adsorption approaches. This innovation addresses the persistent challenge of surface area and active-site exposure, marrying chemical selectivity with electrochemical kinetics.

Biomimicry at Sea: Inspired by Nature

A team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences drew inspiration from the radial-pore architecture of Chinese sweetgum fruit to develop a hierarchically porous, spherical biomimetic adsorbent. Mimicking natural channels that efficiently transport fluids, the material achieved a 213 % increase in uranium uptake and a 150 % improvement in selectivity over competing ions like vanadium and iron in real seawater tests. Fine-tuning pore size and density based on simulation insights enabled remarkable control over performance.

These pioneering approaches, amidoxime polymers, electrochemical cloth, and biomimetic frameworks, signal a pivotal evolution in nuclear fuel strategy.

Efficiency Takes the Lead: Biomimetic pore design and electric field-driven adsorption drastically improve mass transport, overcoming decades-old limitations.
Durability and Regeneration: Reusable sorbents that resist fouling, particularly in salty ocean environments, mark progress toward economically viable deployment.
Nature-Inspired Innovation: Biomimicry not only accelerates ion access but also enhances selectivity, spotlighting the potential of bio-inspired materials science in energy applications.
Multidisciplinary Approaches: The fusion of materials chemistry, electrical engineering, and computational modelling exemplifies modern nuclear fuel R&D.

The Broader Implication

Harvesting uranium from seawater isn’t just an academic exercise, it’s a strategic imperative. These technologies promise to decouple nuclear energy from geopolitically volatile terrestrial sources while minimising environmental impact from mining. As uranium scarcity looms, scalable marine extraction could sustain and expand low-carbon nuclear power globally.

For nuclear professionals, these breakthroughs offer a powerful lesson, the future belongs not only to advances in reactor design or regulatory reform, but also to creative, cross-sector synergies where chemistry meets biology, where electrochemistry confronts ocean science, and where ambition meets ingenuity.

Sources; Springer, ACS, Science News Today.

Picture: chemistryviews.org

Radioactive Waste Storage in Croatia

Croatia’s parliament has advanced a crucial and controversial initiative, a low to intermediate-level radioactive waste storage facility at Čerkezovac on Trgovska Gora, a former military base near the Bosnian border.

The decision enacts a long-discussed state strategy, serving national and cross-border obligations, yet simultaneously spotlighting regional diplomacy, environmental stewardship, and the role of community engagement in nuclear infrastructure development.

A Strategic Move: Obligations & Infrastructure

Under a bilateral agreement with Slovenia, Croatia is responsible for half of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant’s low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste. The new legislation establishes a regulatory framework to build the Čerkezovac facility that is projected to operate for 40 years before permanent disposal options become available.

Located within a 60‑hectare former army barracks, about 5 km from the nearest Croatian town, Croatians argue it offers existing logistical advantages.

An environmental impact assessment is required before construction, and initial shipments are anticipated around 2028.

Cross‑Border Tensions & Trust Deficit

Bosnia and Herzegovina have raised significant safety concerns, given the site is less than 1 km from Novo Grad’s water wells and just a few kilometres from high schools and the city centre, potentially affecting 250,000 residents.

Bosnian officials cite violations of the Espoo Convention, calling for comprehensive transboundary consultation. Citizens warned Croatia’s legislation circumvents these obligations.

Environmental & Social Concerns

NGOs like Eko Kvarner and various local stakeholders voice frustration at rushed communications and possible devaluation of surrounding properties, forests, farmland, and recreational zones alike.

Although safety assurances cite global best practices, critics warn that rapid cost minimisation often compromises environmental safeguards.

Political and Regulatory Responses

Croatia’s Prime Minister emphasises rigorous safety standards, reiterating no risk to their own or neighbouring populations.

Bosnia’s Foreign Trade Minister officially questions the site’s suitability and seeks EU intervention. In response, Croatia’s waste‑management authority insists full compliance with EU norms, with Bosnia formally invited into the environmental assessment process.

Key Implications for Nuclear Professionals

Navigating Cross-Border Dynamics: This case underscores how nuclear infrastructure can quickly evolve into international flashpoints and understanding conventions like Espoo is essential.
Importance of Early Engagement: Effective, transparent community and stakeholder communication remains vital especially in proximity to sensitive or protected regions.
Balancing Safety and Economics: Deploying global best practices demands investment. The tension between project cost and environmental rigor can’t be ignored.
Policy & Technical Integration: Engineering excellence alone is insufficient. Mastery of legal frameworks, diplomacy, and risk perception is equally mandatory.

Final Reflection

Croatia’s Čerkezovac project exemplifies the multi-dimensional challenge of nuclear waste management; technical, geopolitical, environmental, and societal forces converge. For professionals in the nuclear sector, it’s a compelling reminder that success depends not only on engineering acumen, but also on stakeholder alignment, regulatory navigation, and the foresight to see beyond borders.

Picture: EPA/Stringer

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