Tag: Nuclear Future

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Eskom Charts a Bold Course for South Africa’s Next Nuclear Era

With environmental assessments underway for a third nuclear power station, the utility faces a delicate balance between energy security and ecological stewardship.

Eskom is poised to steer South Africa into a new chapter of its nuclear journey, having officially launched the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for a prospective third nuclear power station.

Building on the momentum of its second plant at Duynefontein, which received final environmental clearance just four months ago, Eskom is now considering two coastal sites: Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape and Bantamsklip near Dyer Island in the Overberg region. This facility is envisioned to deliver a commanding 5,200 MW of capacity, signalling a bold leap in the nation’s energy strategy.

To guide this pivotal decision, Eskom appointed WSP Group Africa as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP). A virtual pre-application meeting outlined the “exceptionally tight” approval schedule mandated by national regulations. The primary goal is to achieve environmental authorisation from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) by February 2027, with potential appeals resolved by May 2027.

Beyond environmental scrutiny, Eskom will also pursue heritage clearance, water-use licencing, coastal discharge permits, and a site license from the National Nuclear Regulator.

While Thyspunt and Bantamsklip were both previously shortlisted for South Africa’s second nuclear site, ultimately awarded to Duynefontein, the new assessment has resurrected old debates around ecological, social, and heritage concerns.

Bantamsklip, positioned near an internationally important marine ecosystem hosting roughly 1,000 breeding pairs of critically endangered African penguins, southern right whales, Cape fur seals, sharks, dolphins, and abalone, has attracted intense scrutiny. Conservationists are deeply concerned about sediment upheaval, underwater noise, chemical effluents, and potential thermal impacts on marine habitats. There is also alarm over sand disposal and the threat it poses to kelp forests, which underpin local fisheries and tourism.

Amid these ecological fears, Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Thyspunt Alliance have pledged renewed advocacy and legal resistance, recalling previous project delays on similar grounds.

Eskom, for its part, insists the new EIA will integrate lessons from prior processes and apply a comprehensive, “technology envelope” to accommodate unknown reactor types, aiming to balance thorough baseline studies, ranging from seismic and hydrological assessments to marine biology, with innovative energy planning.

At this stage, discussions remain conceptual: no reactor technologies have been finalised, nor have financing or ownership structures been detailed. Yet the ambition is clear.

Embedded in the broader Integrated Resource Plan 2025, which targets 105 GW of new generation capacity by 2039, this nuclear initiative forms a cornerstone of Eskom’s Nuclear Industrial Plan, designed to re-anchor national nuclear expertise and enhance energy security.

As South Africa balances its pressing energy needs with ecological responsibility, the next 18 months of regulatory review, public input, and environmental due diligence will shape both the outcome and global leadership signal this project embodies.

Picture: Eskom

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Kazakhstan Builds Nuclear Fuel Cycle to Power Its Energy Future

From uranium mining to high-tech fuel assembly and reactor projects, the nation is positioning itself as a global leader in nuclear technology and innovation.

Kazakhstan is rapidly transforming its role in the global nuclear industry, moving beyond uranium mining to develop a full high-tech fuel cycle.

At the heart of this shift is the Ulba Metallurgical Plant in East Kazakhstan, which has recently undergone major modernisation. A new automated inspection line now checks uranium fuel pellets with micrometre precision at a rate of three pellets per second, ensuring exceptional quality and consistency.

Alongside this, fuel assembly production has expanded to 300 tonnes annually, while the Ulba-TVS facility has reached its design capacity of 200 tonnes of uranium per year. These upgrades position Kazakhstan as a reliable supplier of nuclear fuel for both domestic and international markets.

This progress aligns with the country’s long-term energy ambitions. Despite being the world’s leading uranium producer, Kazakhstan has historically lacked nuclear power generation. That is changing.

Plans are underway for several nuclear power plants, including a major project with Russia’s Rosatom featuring two Generation III+ reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 GW, expected to launch around 2035. Additional projects with Chinese partners are also in development.

Safety remains a priority, with site selection in the Almaty region emphasising robust passive and active safety systems informed by lessons from Fukushima and Chernobyl. Efforts to minimise radioactive waste are integral to these plans.

Beyond power generation, Kazakhstan is building an innovation ecosystem. Two nuclear-focused science cities are planned in Almaty and Kurchatov, leveraging the expertise of the Institute of Nuclear Physics and the National Nuclear Centre.

The country is also expanding into nuclear medicine, exporting technetium-99 radiopharmaceuticals, and exploring fuel conversion and enrichment technologies. This strategy reflects a shift from volume to value, aiming to create a comprehensive nuclear hub that supports energy security and global decarbonisation goals.

For professionals in the nuclear sector, these developments signal a surge in opportunities, from fuel fabrication and reactor construction to research, regulatory compliance, and medical applications. Kazakhstan’s vision to 2050 is clear: to evolve from a uranium supplier into a global leader in nuclear technology and innovation.

Picture: Akorda

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Doel 2 in Belgium to Close

The End of an Era: Doel 2 Retires After 50 Years.

This month marks a historic moment in Europe’s energy landscape: Belgium has officially shut down the Doel 2 nuclear reactor after five decades of operation. Commissioned in 1975, Doel 2 has been a cornerstone of Belgium’s electricity supply, contributing to energy security and carbon reduction for half a century.

The closure is part of Belgium’s nuclear phase-out policy, which aims to gradually replace nuclear power with renewables. While this decision reflects political and environmental priorities, it also raises critical questions about energy resilience, skills transition, and the future of nuclear expertise in Europe.

  • Legacy and Lessons: Doel 2’s retirement underscores the durability and reliability of nuclear technology. Few energy assets operate effectively for 50 years.
  • Skills Challenge: As reactors close, experienced professionals face career crossroads. Their expertise in operations, safety, and maintenance is invaluable—but where will it go?
  • Global Contrast: While Belgium phases out, other nations are scaling up. China’s Xudabao 4 and the UK’s modular construction projects show nuclear innovation is thriving elsewhere.

The skills honed in traditional plants like Doel 2 remain relevant—but they must evolve to meet the demands of modular innovation. For professionals, this shift means new roles in design, off-site fabrication, logistics, and digital engineering.

The nuclear sector is at a crossroads. As some countries retire reactors, others invest in next-generation technologies. For talent, this is not the end—it’s a transformation. Those who adapt will lead the clean energy revolution.

As the industry pivots from legacy plants to modular builds and fusion breakthroughs, how will you position your career to stay ahead?

Picture: Electrabel

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Xudabao 4 Modular Construction

What’s Happening at Xudabao 4?

  • Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province is advancing with Unit 4, which is part of a series of large-scale reactors using VVER-1200 technology supplied by Russia’s Rosatom.
  • Recent announcements highlight:
    • Civil construction milestones: Reactor building and containment structures progressing rapidly.
    • International collaboration: Russian technology integrated with Chinese project management and supply chains.
    • Strategic energy goals: China is accelerating nuclear deployment to meet carbon neutrality targets by 2060.

Connecting to UK Modular Construction

While China is building gigawatt-scale reactors, the UK is pioneering modular construction through:

  • Hinkley Point C: Using modular assembly for major components to reduce on-site complexity.
  • Sizewell C: Expected to replicate modular efficiencies.
  • SMRs (Small Modular Reactors): Rolls-Royce-led program aiming for factory-built modules for faster deployment.

Why this matters for nuclear careers:

  • China’s approach shows the continued relevance of large-scale nuclear expertise globally.
  • UK’s modular trend creates demand for new skills: digital design, off-site fabrication, logistics, and advanced QA/QC processes.
  • Professionals who understand both traditional and modular methods will be highly sought after as the industry diversifies.

Global nuclear strategies are diverging, China is scaling up with mega-reactors, while the UK is innovating with modular builds. For professionals, this means opportunity: mastering modular construction techniques and digital workflows will be key to driving efficiency and sustainability in the next generation of nuclear projects.

Picture: Rosatom

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First Light Fusion Diagnostics for UKAEA Programme

Fusion Diagnostics: A Leap Forward for the UK’s Clean Energy Future

First Light Fusion has successfully completed a reactor diagnostic feasibility study as part of the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s £55M Fusion Industry Programme. This milestone is more than a technical achievement, it signals the UK’s commitment to advancing fusion energy, a technology that promises limitless, carbon-free power.

The study focused on developing advanced diagnostic systems to monitor and optimise fusion reactions. These tools are critical for scaling fusion from experimental setups to commercial reactors, ensuring safety, efficiency, and reliability.

Why does this matter for nuclear careers?
Fusion is no longer a distant dream; it’s becoming a career-defining frontier. Engineers, physicists, data scientists, and project managers will all play pivotal roles in transforming these breakthroughs into operational power plants. The UK’s investment in fusion innovation creates opportunities for professionals to shape the future of energy security and sustainability.

Key Takeaways for Industry Leaders and Job Seekers:

  • Diagnostics are the backbone of fusion progress, enabling precise control and performance optimisation.
  • The UK’s £55M programme demonstrates strong governmental and industrial support for fusion technology.
  • Careers in fusion will demand cross-disciplinary expertise, from nuclear engineering to AI-driven analytics.

Fusion is not just about science; it’s about building an ecosystem of talent ready to tackle the world’s most pressing energy challenges. Those who invest in skills today will lead the clean energy revolution tomorrow.

Picture: First Light Fusion

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Microsoft is First tech Firm to Join WNA

Microsoft joins the World Nuclear Association (WNA), and this seems like a huge milestone for the nuclear sector. When it comes to carbon-free energy technology utilisation, this is exciting!

When you think of one of the world’s leading, most highly thought of and expert tech companies, you combine that with the nuclear sectors’ track-record of delivery, it’s a brilliant strategic moment.

To meet the demands and needs of the digital economy there really is only one energy source that will keep pace, nuclear. We have ambitious climate goals coupled with an increasing demand where technology usage is concerned, and not enough power for renewable alone to handle.

Nuclear energy will be the main, consistent and reliable source for us to rely on, and we will wait to see who else follows Microsoft’s lead.

Picture: World Nuclear Association

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Tokamak Energy & Fusion Magnet Breakthrough

Tokamak Energy has a world-leading magnet system and this world-first system, based in Oxford, has been producing impressive results.

Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy CEO, said: “These results are a major victory for the race to deliver fusion and HTS as a disruptive new commercial technology. Demo4 represents over a decade of HTS innovation at Tokamak Energy. Born from our fusion mission, it validates one of the technical solutions for getting clean, limitless, safe and secure fusion energy on the grid.

“Demo4 is also best in class at showcasing and demonstrating the transformative potential for superconductors, including power distribution for high-demand environments like data centres and applications across science, power systems, propulsion, and beyond.”

Demo4 has allowed Tokamak Energy to obtain valuable engineering insights that will enable fusion power plant designs of the future to prosper.

The aim for Tokamak Energy at this time is to deepen their understanding of how this technology is working and what it needs to do moving forward to ensure fusion energy can become a commercial reality.

For those people who have been in the nuclear sector for decades, and newer entrants, they will be acutely aware that fusion energy has always been 30-years away; however, with this deep technological exploration and testing, perhaps someone will commercialise this energy source before the 2050’s.

Picture: Tokamak Energy

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Nuclear Careers

Hiring for Tomorrow, Today: Nuclear & Energy Infrastructure

Our aim at Nuclear Careers is to work with a broad mix of clients such as engineering consultants, construction managers, civil contractors, defence organisations, and manufacturers. The common thread is that these businesses, whether SME or larger companies, all have links to nuclear & energy infrastructure.

Why is this our focus? We have a passion that major projects can succeed and in no point in time has infrastructure mattered more than it has today, with nuclear and energy – and success starts with skills & talent.

Britain is riding a wave of financing and funding right now, so while the times are good, recruitment tends to take a back seat. We know that hiring has and is going on; however, there have also been many layoffs, halted projects and companies pivoting focus. Unemployment is high, and the ever-growing skills gap has not been addressed.

2026 will see an increased demand for mid-career to executive level hires within engineering and project delivery roles, but if some businesses aren’t careful, the top talent will go elsewhere.

Gone are the days when you can solely rely on brand, “if you build it, they will come…”, and with global mobility being more of the norm nowadays, we aren’t just in competition nationally for good candidates.

Hiring top talent needs to start today, not yesterday, not last week, but now. Yes, there is an element of risk, the unknown, and uncertainty, but another thing is for sure, we must hire more candidates into the sector if we are going to achieve all our grand plans.

Having an idea is one thing, implementing it is another, and having the right people to support the delivery is crucial.

At Nuclear Careers we understand hiring and we have the talent network – we’ve been talking to business leaders throughout the UK and beyond, so we know what matters.

We’re excited to build the future with our clients, whether it’s a small local business or a larger national or even international organisation, powering nuclear and energy is the goal.

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The Nuclear Space Race

The race to space is on!

The show case of power is for all to see as the U.S., Russia and China all flaunt their intentions to be the first to build a nuclear power plant on the moon.

NASA, Roscosmos and the CNSA are the names involved. The latter two are working in partnership to deploy a reactor to power their planned Lunar Research Station, and NASA’s plans would provide ~100kw of electrical power while heating a base camp for the crews of the lunar-landing Artemis missions.

There have been setbacks including NASA’s budget or lack thereof, which is of course a huge issue with a project of this size and complexity. Russia has old, but reliable technology, while China has new yet untested technology, so this pairing could be powerful.

As this race continues, there is also the large task of how we design and build new nuclear power plants on our home planet. There is also the focus on defence technology including the use of autonomous systems, quantum computing, and laser systems all while ensuring we are utilising sustainable practices.

Will this happen by the current 2030 timeline? We won’t hold our breath, but we look forward to seeing what’s next for human and nuclear space exploration.

“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind” – Neil Armstrong

Sources: The American Nuclear Society, Space.com, Power Technology

Picture: Lockheed Martin

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UK Government Nuclear Taskforce Findings

The UK’s nuclear regulatory regime is highly effective at ensuring safety and is regarded as world-leading in many respects, particularly its goal-based approach, regulatory expertise, transparency, stakeholder engagement, and active international collaboration.

However, primary challenges include the following areas: 1. unnecessary slowness, inefficiency, and cost, 2. risk management & proportionality, 3. complexity of regulatory & planning landscape, 4. enabling delivery in the planning regime, 5. capacity, capability & culture, 6. international harmonisation, 7. insufficient understanding of the cost of delays.

  1. Feedback highlights systemic delays, bureaucratic overlap, and escalating costs that rarely provide meaningful safety or environmental benefits
  2. Interpretation of the ALARP (“As Low as Reasonably Practicable”) principle fosters a risk-averse culture and excessive conservatism. Similar issues exist in environmental assessments
  3. The multiplicity of regulators and overlapping obligations create costly duplication, inconsistent interpretations, and unpredictable outcomes.
  4. The current NSIP planning regime and related regulations are outdated, particularly in their treatment of emerging technologies like SMRs and AMRs. They lack flexibility and fleet-mode efficiency.
  5. There is a shortfall of SQEP (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel), along with ageing workforce, over-reliance on consultants, salary challenges, and risk-averse organisational cultures
  6. Lack of alignment with international regulatory frameworks causes unnecessary costs and duplicative approval processes. The Taskforce plans to explore opportunities for recognition of overseas approvals.
  7. Regulatory decisions often overlook the significant financial and opportunity costs of delayed projects, leading to an imbalance between safety measures and project viability.

Next Steps and Priorities.

Strategic Government Direction – Ministers should provide clear strategic guidance to regulators and operators to ensure delivery is safe, efficient, and cost effective.

Consultation & Evidence Gathering – The Taskforce is holding engagement sessions and workshops to gather input on potential policy adjustments.

International Benchmarking – A detailed comparison with overseas systems will help identify where harmonisation could yield benefits.

Economic Impact Analysis – The costs and benefits of changes will be quantified to support the case for reform.

The interim report acknowledges a strong foundation in the UK’s nuclear regulation but calls for a once-in-a-generation reset across six core reform areas aimed at delivering faster, more cost effective, and scalable nuclear projects without compromising safety.

To view the full report; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nuclear-regulatory-taskforce/nuclear-regulatory-taskforce-interim-report

24/11/25 release; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/taskforce-calls-for-radical-reset-of-nuclear-regulation-in-uk

Picture: gov.uk

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