SONE Newsletter 309 – June 2025

Posted by Wade Allison on 23 June 2025 in Newsletters

Tagged with: Chernobyl, Donald Trump, Finland, Iran, Israel, Renewables, Springfields, Taiwan.

This month

GREAT DAY - UK decisions at last: SZC, SMR and also on AMRs

UK government announces GBP14.2 billion for Sizewell C

The UK government is committing £14.2 billion towards the building of the Sizewell C plant in Suffolk, England, which will be a “replica” of Hinkley Point C featuring two of EDF’s EPR reactors. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/uk-government-announces-gbp142-billion-for-sizewell-c

Rolls-Royce SMR named as UK’s selected technology

Following a two-year competition, Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as the preferred bidder to construct the UK’s first small modular reactors. Although two winners were expected, only Rolls Royce was chosen. A site will be allocated later this year and connected to the grid in the mid-2030s. A final investment decision is expected to be taken in 2029. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/rolls-royce-smr-named-as-uks-selected-technology

Newcleo’s lead cooled fast reactor design accepted by DESNZ

Newcleo has has been accepted for Generic Design Assessment for its 200 MWe reactor. This is the first acceptance of an Advanced Modular Reactor design in the UK by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. SONE hopes to cover this technology in a future article or in an AGM presentation https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/newcleo-reactor-design-accepted-for-uk-assessment

and news of other developments worldwide according to the IEA https://www.nucnet.org/news/nuclear-investment-makes-comeback-with-spending-set-to-exceed-usd70-billion-and-promise-of-further-growth-6-4-2025

SONE visit to Springfields 23 Sept – a reminder

There are a few places still available. Members who would like to go should contact John Assheton communications@sone.org.uk The visit will start at 11.00. The 8.30 train from Euston arrives at Preston at 10.39. More details and the identification required from John.

World Bank

The World Bank is ending its long-standing ban on providing funding for nuclear energy projects - and will be open to supporting efforts to extend the life of existing reactors and accelerate the potential of small modular reactors in developing countries. The Asian Development Bank is now considering doing likewise. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/world-bank-agrees-to-end-ban-on-funding-nuclear-energy
https://www.ft.com/content/27f869c5-17a8-4d57-bb76-f9ac9ea13697

Trump signs orders to reform NRC

US President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders titled Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base, Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy and Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with the goal of “re-establishing the United States as the global leader in nuclear energy”. (WNN 27/5/25)

The changes go further, threatening the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the precautionary philosophy that has obstructed the development of nuclear power programme since 1973. One commentator expresses the view:

For all the controversy surrounding the man and his approach to governing, if President Trump succeeds in reining in the NRC, eliminating the LNT model, and catalysing the construction of dozens of new nuclear power reactors across the US, he will bequeath future generations of Americans a legacy on par with that of Eisenhower. Here’s to hoping he gets it done.

https://open.substack.com/pub/doomberg/p/actuarial-examinations
Other views: https://www.manhattancontrarian.com/blog/2025-6-7-defund-the-nas & https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-forces-showdown-over-nuclear-regulation/

Then a thoughtful article that worries the policy might not succeed. https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-gop-might-kill-trumps-nuclear-renaissance/

Israel attack on Iranian nuclear sites

Inevitably, the attack by Israel on Iran’s nuclear sites has aroused concerns about safety of the radiation. Although the inventory and layout is not well known, the nuclear health risks are tiny: https://www.thenationalnews.com/climate/2025/06/14/fear-not-fallout-strike-on-irans-natanz-site-prompts-global-alarm-over-nuclear-safety/

The IAEA reports (WNN 16/6/25)

At Natanz, the above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, where Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60% U-235, has been destroyed. Electricity infrastructure at the facility (electrical sub-station, main electric power supply building, emergency power supply and back-up generators) has been destroyed. There is no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant and the main Fuel Enrichment Plant. However, the loss of power to the cascade hall may have damaged the centrifuges there.

A separate IAEA report sent to member states on 31 May said Iran’s stock of uranium enriched to 60% uranium-235 had grown by roughly half to 408.6 kg, That is not reactor-grade fuel!

Accident site recovery: Chornobyl

For several decades now the Evacuation Zone at Chornobyl has become a wildlife sanctuary. Now it is to be developed and advertised for tourists! It is also for agriculture under the knowledgeable eye of Professor Jim Smith of Portsmouth who has been researching the area for many years. It is a story far removed from the scenes of desolation predicted by the “experts” of radiation precaution. However, the immediate danger from the war with Russia seems real.
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/chernobyl-looking-to-develop-tourism-post-war
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/chernobyl-studies-into-safety-land-for-agriculture

Accident site recovery: Fukushima

In the Fukushima evacuation zone, December 2013.
Bags of “contaminated” soil scraped from fields
and awaiting deposition somewhere.
[Photo Wade Allison]

“The Japanese government is considering reusing soil removed from the ground during radiation decontamination work after the 2011 nuclear reactor meltdowns in Fukushima Prefecture in the grounds of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo”, Jiji Press reported. The move came after planned pilot projects for using the soil in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture have stalled due to opposition from local residents. The government plans to compile a basic policy on the recycling and final disposal of the soil shortly, including its use at the Prime Minister’s Office. It also plans to draw up a specific road map over the coming months. About 14 million cubic metres of contaminated soil is currently stored at interim facilities in the Fukushima towns of Okuma and Futaba. Three-quarters of the soil has a radiation concentration of 8000 becquerels per kilogram or less and will be recycled for use in public works projects. The rest will be disposed of at facilities outside Fukushima by March 2045. (WNN 23/5/25)

My photograph shows that the soil has been waiting over a decade! An example of the public fear of radioactivity!

Head winds for renewables and batteries, plus new interest in SMRs

The reaction to the loss of power provided by wind and solar in the Iberian blackout continues apace. Similar difficulties on the GB grid were experienced on 30 May: https://watt-logic.com/2025/05/30/high-wind-and-forecasting-errors-cause-havoc-on-the-gb-grid/

In the Netherlands and on the East Coast of the US the development of wind farms is under pressure: https://splash247.com/netherlands-nixes-offshore-wind-farm-tenders-over-bad-market-conditions/ https://splash247.com/developer-requests-to-cancel-new-jersey-offshore-wind-project/

Political concerns for the industry are being expressed and pressure brought to bear: https://splash247.com/industry-urges-dutch-government-to-keep-21gw-offshore-wind-target-on-track/ and https://on.ft.com/4jdnn4W

Meanwhile the cost of BESS battery fire mitigation risks have to be paid for in California: https://www.energy-storage.news/californias-fresno-county-introduces-fire-mitigation-payments-for-bess-projects/#

At least one firm in the offshore engineering business now sees their future with SMRs. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7336282309538508801/

Svalbard

Norway proposes a nuclear plant in Svalbard! Interesting thinking.
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/smr-plant-proposed-for-remote-norwegian-region

Taiwan to hold a referendum on nuclear restart

All reactors are now shut down, but on Aug 23 they are holding a referendum on restarting.
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/reactor-closure-marks-taiwans-nuclear-exit

A Finnish study of world mineral requirements

https://doi.org/10.30440/bt416.1 Michaux, S. P. 2024. Scope of the replacement system to globally phase out fossil fuels. Geological Survey of Finland, Bulletin 416, 5–172. It says:

The reconstruction of society will require an unprecedented quantity of energy and raw materials of all kinds. While it could be argued that degrowth is a good long term target, Figure 50 shows that the practicalities of reimagining society into a post fossil fuel world will have to be thought through more effectively. In conclusion, the data presented suggests that replacing the existing fossil fuel powered system (oil, gas, and coal), using the planned renewable technologies, such as solar panels or wind turbines, will be extremely difficult for the entire global human population, if the proposed Green Transition plan is undertaken on a large scale.

USA still buying Russian enriched uranium

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev has said the USA continues to buy enriched uranium from Russia and “in the context of the ongoing negotiations between the US and the Russian Federation … we can expand the agenda of this cooperation”. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/russia-happy-to-keep-supplying-enriched-uranium-to-usa

Electricity prices in UK

The Financial Times asks why UK prices are so high. The effect on industry is serious. The market is not designed to solve the problem. https://on.ft.com/4n0c8zS

UK nuclear workforce on the rise

Employment in the UK’s nuclear power sector grew 35% between 2021 and 2024 to reach 87,000 workers, according to a report commissioned by the Nuclear Industry Association. Meanwhile, a study by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board shows the nuclear sector workforce within the country’s engineering construction industry could increase by 29% in the next five years.

The UK has become the latest country to join the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency’s Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology (NEST) Framework, alongside 13 other countries that are cooperating to train the next generation of nuclear experts. The UK has nominated the University of Manchester to be a signatory of the framework and represent the country on the NEST Management Board. Following the signing of the Act of Adhesion on 14 May, institutions in the UK now have the opportunity to join existing NEST Projects, or launch new multinational and multidisciplinary training projects with at least two other NEST countries. (WNN 4/6/25)

Wade Allison
June 2025