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Sizewell A Demolished Concrete Used at Sizewell C

Over 15,000 tones worth of concrete will be reused at Sizewell C after being demolished by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) at Sizewell A.

The crushed concrete from the former turbine hall will be reused at SZC. The recycled materials have been carefully tested and will be used as sub-bases for various foundation platforms.

This is a process that needs to replicated in other projects as it helps to reduce the carbon footprint, it allows cost to be shared, and it limits the need for newly mined aggregate.

Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director, Sizewell C, said: “This is another example of how Sizewell C is working with local projects to maximise benefits, not just for us, but for the local community. By reusing this material, we’re reducing the number of trucks transporting aggregate through East Suffolk, while further reaffirming our commitment of minimising our environmental impact during construction. This is great news all round.”

Taken from gov.uk – This initiative has delivered multiple benefits:

  • Cost savings: Reduced procurement costs from using locally sourced aggregate.
  • Reduction: Reusing local material avoids the need to transport aggregates from other parts of the country, significantly cutting carbon emissions.
  • Resource conservation: The reuse of demolition material prevents the need to extract new primary aggregates, preserving natural resources.
  • Local impact: The material is locally sourced, supporting Sizewell C’s UK content and Suffolk spend targets.
  • Traffic reduction: Almost 800 vehicle movements will be confined to the vicinity of Sizewell A and Sizewell C, reducing construction traffic on local roads.

Full release; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sizewell-a-concrete-reused-at-sizewell-c

Picture: gov.uk

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NDA Delivering Green Energy Hub at Chapelcross

The NDA Group is working with CX Power as the strategic developer for the Chapelcross green energy hub.

The programme is privately funded and set to transform the region; it will produce several hundred highly skilled job roles, attract skills & investments while driving local economy growth.

The long-term plan will include AI data centres, advanced manufacturing, and hydrogen production.

CX Power is an entity comprising of GA Consultants and Global Mutual Properties Limited whose expertise will enhance planning and financing.

  • The £350m investment in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, from the UK and Scottish Governments, is made up of £150 million for Scotland (£85m from the Scottish Government and £65 million from the UK Government) and up to £200m for England from the UK Government. This will be supported by over £100m of funding from local partners.
  • The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed in March 2021 supporting over £450m worth of projects.

This is an exciting project for Scotland, and we look forward to following the developments. We have a strong network of talent who would be brilliant additions to this development.

Read more; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nda-working-with-private-developer-to-accelerate-chapelcross-hub

Picture: Magnox

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Iowa’s Nuclear Power Plant Facility

There is a planned restart of Iowa’s only nuclear plant, the Duane Arnold Energy Center (Duane Arnold), with operations resuming sometime in 2029.

Google have signed a new agreement with NextEra Energy to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure.

This is an exciting move for U.S. nuclear leadership and security while achieving clean, reliable energy via nuclear.

The restarting of the plant will encourage improved growth in the American economy (more than $9 billion) by increasing job opportunities (over 2000 direct/indirect/highly skilled), allowing scientific advancements, improving health & education prospects, and enhancing security.

NextEra Energy will take a 100% ownership in the plant as they are acquiring Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and Corn Belt Power Cooperative’s 30% commitment, in an agreement that matches Google’s.

Due to this agreement Google and NextEra Energy are also exploring developing new generation nuclear across the U.S.

NextEra Energy is one of the leading electricity providers to homes and businesses and is one of the largest electric power and energy infrastructure companies in North America.

Read the full story; https://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/NextEra-Energy-and-Google-Announce-New-Collaboration-to-Accelerate-Nuclear-Energy-Deployment-in-the-U-S?l=12

Picture: NextEra Energy (Duane Arnold)

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Kansai Electric to Restart 44-year-old Reactor

A next generation reactor plan is underway by Kansai Electric Power to restart the 44-year-old Mihama reactor based in Fukui Prefecture, 300-miles west of Tokyo.

The site survey has begun analysing geological conditions to determine the feasibility of constructing a new power plant. Materials and equipment have been transported to the areas.

The survey will continue until circa 2030 with several stages: a boring survey, field examinations, collecting rock samples, and excavating tunnels.

Pictures: Kansai Electrical Power/Mihama Power Plant

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New York’s New Nuclear Construction Plans

Upstate New York is to gain its first new nuclear plant in a generation.

It’s clear that New York will benefit from utilising advanced nuclear technology; generating thousands of union jobs, enhancing security, lowering emissions, and ensuring reliability to the growing grid.

Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to start developing and constructing an advanced new nuclear power plant to support a reliable & affordable electric grid.

“As New York State electrifies its economy, deactivates aging fossil fuel power generation and continues to attract large manufacturers that create good-paying jobs, we must embrace an energy policy of abundance that centers on energy independence and supply chain security to ensure New York controls its energy future,” Governor Hochul said. “This is the second time during my administration that I am calling on the New York Power Authority to lead a critical energy initiative, and just as it is doing with the expedited buildout of renewable energy and transmission, it will now safely and rapidly deploy clean, reliable nuclear power for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”

Full article; https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-directs-new-york-power-authority-develop-zero-emission-advanced-nuclear-energy

Picture: https://www.governor.ny.gov

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Sizewell C Financial Closure

SZC becomes the first power plant to be funded by the UK’s Regulated Asset Based (RAB) model and is a debt raised financing of £5 billion.

Due to the company’s robust financial structure and being able to replicate the process at Hinkley Point C, the project was able to prove it could reduce cost & timelines hence gaining strong credit ratings from multiple agencies.

Once the site is operational it could create savings of £2 billion per year, leading to cheaper prices for consumers and utilising a low-carbon electricity system.

The project should lead to over 10,000 skilled, British job opportunities with thousands more within the supply chain and creating ~ 1,500 apprenticeships.

Importantly, SZC will supply 6 million homes with home-grown clean energy for 60 years+. The British economy is set to see a huge boost and an increase in energy security.

Sizewell C’s Joint-Managing Directors, Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann, said:

“Sizewell C is a transformative project for Britain’s energy future, delivering reliable low-carbon power, tens of thousands of jobs, and a major boost to the UK economy.”

“In Sizewell C the UK has pioneered a model for financing new build nuclear which works for both consumers and private investors and has attracted considerable interest from other countries with nuclear power development plans.”

Full story here; https://www.sizewellc.com/news-views/sizewell-c-reaches-financial-close-with-5-billion-export-credit-backed-debt-raise-and-strong-investment-grade-credit-rating/

Picture: SZC

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Sizewell C signs fuel contract with Urenco

Urenco has signed a multi-year agreement for enriched uranium services with Sizewell C.

This new contract will support the first six years of the 3.2 GW power station’s operation and will be serviced mainly from our Capenhurst site in the UK.

Framatome has, meanwhile, signed a nuclear fuel fabrication contract with Sizewell, and both mark a major step forward in strengthening the UK’s energy security.

The announcement was made on Monday, October 13.

Urenco CEO Boris Schucht said: “The importance of Sizewell C in the UK’s energy future cannot be underestimated, and Urenco is proud to have been selected as the fuel supplier of choice.

“This will support the millions in economic contributions we make to the UK every year through the enrichment site we have in Cheshire, one of four such sites we have globally, as well as helping to grow skills in the nuclear industry, create jobs and strengthen supply chains.”

See the full announcement here.

Picture from Sizewell C. Story from Urenco

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