| NEWS Korea, on the other hand, claimed


that, while early development of its reactor technology was supported by Westinghouse, the current models it is seeking to export were developed using its own technologies. In July 2024, the Czech government selected


a Korean consortium led by KHNP as the preferred bidder for the additional construction project of the Dukovany NPP, with plans to finalise the contract by March next year. Westinghouse and EDF, which lost in the bidding competition, then filed objections with the Czech antitrust authorities. These objections were subsequently dismissed, allowing KHNP to maintain its position as the preferred bidder. However, the deal’s signing was delayed by the ongoing legal dispute with Westinghouse. As part of the settlement, KHNP reportedly


agreed to significant restrictions in order to secure the Czech contract.


United States Companies partner on HALEU Texas-based Fermi America, co-founded by former US Energy Secretary and Texas Governor Rick Perry, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ASP Isotopes and its subsidiary Quantum Leap Energy (QLE) to explore development of a high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) enrichment facility. Fermi America is developing an 11 GWe private grid campus for next-generation hyperscale AI in collaboration with the Texas Tech University System (TTU).


The non-binding MOU envisages QLE


and Fermi America entering into definitive agreements to form a new entity in Texas as a joint venture for the research and development, and then construction, of an advanced nuclear fuel enrichment facility capable of producing large quantities of HALEU. It is anticipated that the facility will provide for the conversion and deconversion of uranium products, as well as the fabrication of fuel assemblies. Fermi America is expected to be responsible for obtaining all licences, permits, governmental and regulatory approvals, and other required consents for the HALEU project. The property leased by Fermi America from


tTTU for the HyperGrid Campus is strategically located near the DOE-operated Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, offering proximity to a federally hardened and environmentally characterised site. The site is pre-qualified for nuclear deployment under DOE and NRC precedent studies and is governed by sovereign institutional control held by Texas Tech University, as lessor. The HyperGrid Campus is expected to be the world’s largest hybrid energy and data infrastructure campus. Pantex is the primary US nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility. Fermi America has submitted its Combined


Operating Licence Application to build four Westinghouse AP1000 reactors as part of its HyperGrid Project. Fermi America plans to begin construction on the nuclear power complex


in 2027 and aims to have the first reactor operational by 2032. Fermi America also signed an MOU with Hyundai E&C for the construction and engineering of the reactors. The MOU also envisages ASPI entering into


a separate lease for the development and construction of a 100% ASPI-owned enrichment research and commercial production facility for stable isotopes and advanced materials (excluding advanced nuclear fuels). ASPI employs proprietary technology,


the Aerodynamic Separation Process (ASP technology). The company’s initial focus is on producing and commercialising highly enriched isotopes for the healthcare and technology industries. The company also plans to enrich isotopes for the nuclear energy sector using its Quantum Enrichment technology. ASPI earlier entered into two supply


agreements with TerraPower, for HALEU from an initial uranium facility they expect to construct at Pelindaba in South Africa. The initial core supply agreement is intended to support supply of the required first fuel cores for the initial loading of TerraPower’s Natrium project in Wyoming in 2027/28. The agreement is for a 10-year supply of up to 150 tonnes of HALEU, between 2028 and 2037. ASPI and QLE are also in discussions with the


UK government regarding the construction of a fuel facility in the UK.


Switzerland New NPP ban to end The Swiss government (Federal Council) has presented draft legislation to end its ban on building new NPPs, reversing a policy adopted in 2018 to phase out nuclear power. The plan would allow companies to apply for licences to construct reactors if the legislation is approved by parliament and upheld by a referendum. Switzerland currently has four ageing


nuclear reactors generating about a third of its electricity. These are the two-unit Beznau NPP (730 MWe), the single unit 985 MWe Gösgen NPP and the single unit 1,165 MWe Leibstadt NPP. They all have an unlimited operating licence and can be operated as long as they are safe. A fifth reactor, the 372 MWe Mühleberg NPP, was closed in 2019 and is undergoing decommissioning. The decision to reconsider the nuclear


ban reflects a clear change in public opinion after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster led Switzerland to adopt a policy of gradually withdrawing from nuclear power. Recent legislative developments have shown support for a more flexible approach to energy policy. These include the Electricity for Everyone at All Times (also known as the Stop the Blackout initiative) launched in February by centre-right parties challenging the ban on new NPPs. The Federal Council in September 2024


considered the Stop the Blackout initiative and rejected it in favour of a counter-proposal which seeks the same outcome but aims to simplify the process. Adoption of the initiative would


round up


POLICY MALAYSIA’S MINISTRY OF Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) is conducting a feasibility study on nuclear energy, including small modular reactors (SMRs) to assess their potential as base-load power source, said Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.


SAFETY & SECURITY A SERIOUS CATEGORY A nuclear incident has occurred at Scotland’s Faslane naval base, home to UK Trident submarines. The incident was revealed by Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle after she was asked to provide figures regarding Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) at the Faslane and Coulport naval bases. NSERs are given a grade on a scale from Category A down to D to “below scale” that does not meet any of the categories.


SOUTH KOREA’S NUCLEAR regulatory authorities and operators have decided to undertake large-scale improvements to enhance reactor cooling. Rising sea water temperatures are placing eight domestic reactors at risk of halting operations within the next 10 years. The project aims to reinforce nuclear facilities and raise the operational minimum, known as the design sea temperature, which refers to the maximum seawater temperature at which a nuclear reactor can operate safely.


FOUR UNITS OF the Gravelines NPP in France have been closed down because of a “massive and unpredictable presence of jellyfish” in the water pumping stations used to cool the reactors, EDF said. The six-unit Gravelines plant is the largest NPP in Western Europe. Jellyfish were found in the filters of the pumping stations that suck in the seawater.


REGULATION


AN INDEPENDENT EXPERT taskforce reports that UK nuclear projects are being held back by costly and complex regulatory system. Radical “once-in-a- generation” reform is needed to remove barriers to faster, cheaper nuclear development, while maintaining safety standards.


COMPANIES US-BASED AALO Atomics has closed a $100m Series B financing round, led by Valor Equity Partners, with participation from new and existing investors. These include Fine Structure Ventures, Hitachi Ventures, Crosscut, NRG Energy, Vamos Ventures, Tishman Speyer, Kindred Ventures, 50Y, Harpoon Ventures, Crescent Enterprises, Alumni Ventures, MCJ, Gaingels, Perpetual VC, and Nucleation Capital, among others.


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