Nuclear plant output in China poised for rapid increases in 2018-2020

The last two days in June 2018 saw the first power generation from two separate first of a kind nuclear plants in China. Taishan 1, a 1650 MWe European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) was connected to the grid at 5:59 pm local time on June 29, 2018. Less than 24 hours later, at 4:48 pm local…

Vogtle continuation decision tells me America still produces leaders that can make complicated, long-term decisions

The Georgia Public Service Commission unanimously approved a plan to continue the Vogtle Expansion Project. Georgia Power, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Southern Company, immediately accepted the deal contained in the plan and will continue moving forward with due diligence and effort. The announced decisions made me even more confident that there is strong…

Is V.C. Summer really dead or is near term revival possible?

Several leaders in the South Carolina government are actively searching for ways to revive the V. C. Summer expansion project. The project includes construction of two Westinghouse AP1000 power plants capable of producing 1,140 MWe each. That is enough new nuclear capacity to enable the state to idle or close almost all of its coal-fired…

Tragic day in South Carolina as 5,000 people lose their jobs at VC Summer

Yesterday, about 5,000 people working on the VC Summer expansion project learned that the owners had issued stop work orders effective immediately. They started the day with important jobs paying good wages and ended the day joining the ranks of the unemployed. SCE&G and Santee Cooper, after several months worth of deliberations and negotiations, decided…

Vogtle 3 and 4 construction continuation agreement through June 3

Late yesterday evening, Georgia Power announced that it and Westinghouse had come to an agreement – “in principle” – that would result in a transition of the Vogtle 3 & 4 project management from Westinghouse to Southern Nuclear and Georgia Power. The service agreement would not go into effect until after the current engineering, procurement…

GA Power And Westinghouse Extend Temp Vogtle Nuclear Plant Construction Agreement Through May 12

Late Friday evening, Georgia Power issued a terse press release. Thousands of people who have been tensely anticipating a crucial decision regarding the fate of the Plant Vogtle expansion project cannot stop worrying yet. We will now mark our calendars for May 12 as the next deadline for announcing a decision about whether the massive project will be continued…

GA Power announces a decision deferral until May 12

Last night, GA Power issued a terse press release stating that it will continue working on the detailed project assessment needed before it can decide whether or not to continue trying to complete Vogtle units 3 and 4. The new date is Friday, May 12. More details are available at GA Power And Westinghouse Extend…

Steve Kuczynski, Chief Nuclear Officer, Southern Co. Speaking to 7th Annual SMR and Advanced Reactor Summit

What Does Westinghouse Bankruptcy Mean To Nuclear Energy Innovators?

Attendees at the 7th Annual International SMR and Advanced Reactor Summit in Atlanta, GA were intensely curious about the effect of Westinghouse’s decision to enter into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization effort. They are also working hard to learn whatever lessons might be available to help them avoid similar situations. What About That Westinghouse News?…

Toshiba Announces $6.3 B Writedown On A $229 M Construction Company Acquisition

Toshiba’s chairman, Shigenori Shiga, has accepted the responsibility for his company’s financial challenges and operating losses and resigned his position as chairman and as a board member. He remains an executive with the company. After some early confusion related to a discussion about its financial statements with its auditors, Toshiba has announced that it will…