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The International Energy Agency puts the case for falling use of nuclear energy!

The Low Nuclear Case is not a forecast but “is intended to illustrate what a pessimistic view of the prospects for the nuclear power industry might entail,” the report said.

IEA draft: Nuclear to fall as power demand  Reuters 5 Nov 11 – The Fukushima disaster could lead to a 15 percent fall in world nuclear power generation by 2035, while power demand at the same time could rise by 3.1 percent a year, according to a draft copy of the International Energy Agency’s 2011 World Energy Outlook.

Following the Japanese crisis, many countries put their nuclear power plans on hold or under review, and some, including Germany and Switzerland, opted out of the technology entirely.
The draft, obtained by Reuters ahead of its release next week, sai the IEA had developed a “Low Nuclear Case” that assesses possible implications for global energy balances of a much smaller role for nuclear power. Continue reading →

November 5, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, business and costs | 2 Comments

What it’s really like to be a cleanup worker at Fukushima

Those on the lower rungs, say labour advocates, are particularly
vulnerable. They often have no corporate health, pension or redundancy
benefits. ….

the hardest work was done by the low-level labourers. They had so much rubble to clear, he says, that they often keeled over in the heat under the weight of their protective gear.
Taken out in ambulances, they would usually be back the following day.

Cleaning up Japan’s nuclear mess, The twilight zone, Its owner fears not just radiation leaking out of the Fukushima plant, but also bad news, The Economist Nov 5th 2011 | IWAKI | IT IS another world beyond the roadblocks stopping unauthorised traffic from entering the 20km (12.5-mile) exclusion zone around the
Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. ….

The air of secrecy is compounded when you try to approach workers involved in the nightmarish task of stabilising the nuclear plant. Many are not salaried Tepco staff but low-paid contract workers lodging in Iwaki, just south of the exclusion zone. Continue reading →

November 4, 2011 Posted by | employment, Japan | Leave a comment

India’s Kudankulam nuclear project halted

Work halts at Kudankulam, The Hindu, T. S. SUBRAMANIAN 4 Nov 11,Personnel unable to enter plant: AEC chairman Work at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu has “halted” because the plant personnel are “unable to go inside” and this situation has arisen “when we need several thousands of people to work inside during the last phase of work” of commissioning of the first reactor there, said Srikumar Banerjee, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. Continue reading →

November 4, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, India | 2 Comments

Uranium price falling – AREVA stops African project

Areva suspends uranium mine project, SMH ,November 3, 2011 – French nuclear giant Areva says it is suspending a mining project in the Central African Republic for “a year or two” because of a drop in uranium prices since the Fukushima disaster.

Work on developing the Bakouma mine, which is estimated to hold about 32,000 tonnes of uranium, has been suspended until the market value of the commodity rises again, an Areva spokesman said on Wednesday……

The price of uranium subsequently dropped by about 30 per cent, at a time when Areva was hoping for a global nuclear power renaissance.

On Wednesday the price of a pound (450 grams) of uranium was at $US52 ($A50.49), down from $US68 in March before the accident…..

Areva began development works at the mine under a deal signed in 2007 and to date has spent 106 million euros on developing the site.

The 2007 deal ended friction between Areva and the country’s authorities, who had handed mining rights to British-Canadian firm UraMin in 2006.

Areva bought out UraMin in July 2007 to the displeasure of the government, which said the “irregular” sale showed “disregard for the rights and interests” of the Central African people…..

Areva is expected to present a plan next month on a rethink of its corporate strategies in the wake of the Japanese disaster.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/areva-suspends-uranium-mine-project-20111103-1mw4h.html

November 3, 2011 Posted by | AFRICA, business and costs, France, Uranium | Leave a comment

Woes of Australian uranium miner Paladin

Shutdowns affect Kayerekera production ,The Daily Times, , 02 November 2011   Kingsley Jassi
Frequent shutdowns at Paladin’s Kayerekera Uranium Mine have affected production, incurring the Australian company a loss of 140,000 pounds of the yellow cake in the quarter ending September, a recently released report has said.
The mine produced 395,478 pounds of uranium as compared to 566,248 pounds at the end of the June quarter, according to the report signed by Managing Director, John Borshoff…….

November 3, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, business and costs, Uranium | Leave a comment

One nuclear reactor restarts in Japan

First nuclear power plant restarted in Japan since tsunami, Herald Sun  November 02, 2011 A NUCLEAR reactor in southern Japan was to begin producing electricity again today, its operator company said, in the first restart of a stalled atomic power plant since the Fukushima disaster. Continue reading →

November 3, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, Japan | Leave a comment

Downward plunge of prices and shares for uranium mining company

Paladin chief slashes his pay, SMH, Peter Ker,November 1, 2011 PALADIN Energy boss John Borshoff has taken the knife to his $2.5 million salary, in the latest chapter of a miserable year for the struggling uranium miner.

Barely 10 months after enjoying a 5 per cent pay rise, Mr Borshoff has agreed to reduce his pay by 25 per cent as part of a drive to reduce administration costs at the Africa-focused company. The pay cut coincided with a lacklustre quarterly report from Paladin, which has earned a reputation for over-promising and under-delivering. ……… mine production targets were missed by 15 per cent over the past three months, while the company’s forecasts for the uranium price also proved too optimistic.

But the cut to Mr Borshoff’s pay was the stand-out item in the report, and comes after much agitation from investors who have watched the share price plummet since the Japanese nuclear disaster in March.  Mr Borshoff’s remuneration package was worth $2.522 million in the year to June 2011, up from $1.9 million the year before.

That increase to his remuneration, which included a 5 per cent rise in fixed pay, came in a year when Paladin made an increased trading loss of $US82.3 million.   The company sought to justify Mr Borshoff’s remuneration by describing him as a ”recognised global authority” on nuclear power, whose expertise was in ”extremely limited supply” around the world….

Paladin shares fell 6.5¢ to $1.50 yesterday. The stock was fetching $5 in March before the Fukushima nuclear disaster damaged investor confidence in the uranium sector….    http://www.smh.com.au/business/paladin-chief-slashes-his-pay-20111031-1ms4l.html#ixzz1cV3q88BL

November 1, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, business and costs, Uranium | Leave a comment

Dutch energy utility doubts the financial viability of planned nuclear power

Dutch Utility Concerned About Nuclear Profitability; RWE Still Committed,Fox Business, By Patrick Buis and Archibald Preuschat October 31, 2011 Dow Jones Newswires AMSTERDAM — German power giant RWE AG (RWE.XE) said Monday it is still committed to its stake in a nuclear plant in the Netherlands, after the majority stakeholder expressed doubts about the financial viability of the multi-billion investment….

a spokesman for Dutch energy provider Essent, a unit of RWE, told Dow Jones Newswires Monday. He acknowledged, however, that the social acceptance of nuclear power had changed after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in March…. the Financieele Dagblad reported Monday that Dutch public utility Delta was having doubts about the investment in the plant….

Delta’s future stake in the project will be 70%, while RWE will hold the remaining 30%.The second Dutch nuclear power plant would require an EUR4.5 billion investment http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2011/10/31/dutch-utility-concerned-about-nuclear-profitability-rwe-still-committed/#ixzz1cUjmbB4k

November 1, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, EUROPE | 2 Comments

Nuclear industry admits that it cannot compete on costs

Is Nuclear Energy a Fuel with a Future?, Huffington Post, Andy Mannle, : 10/28/11 “……… Powerful industry lobbies in the U.S. and elsewhere will continue to support nuclear as a fuel source, of course, but even the industry recognizes that a major expansion is unlikely.

Speaking at an American Nuclear Society conference in August 2011, John Rowe, CEO of Exelon, the country’s largest nuclear utility said 3 of the 4 conditions necessary for expanding nuclear cannot be met. While newer designs offer the right technology, Rowe argues that the government has not resolved waste disposal issues. Additionally, there is currently excess generation capacity because the economic recession has slowed energy consumption. While this will likely change as we retire more coal plants and the economy grows, the influx of cheap natural gas from shale has undercut nuclear’s higher prices.

Today, nuclear cannot compete on cost with fossil fuels, and cannot compete on quality with renewables. Going forward, renewables offer rapid growth and innovation combined with falling costs, which will make it harder for nuclear to compete in the future. And as fossil fuel prices rise, they will also likely drive up nuclear’s construction costs, offsetting any price advantage there.

Without a major breakthrough, it seems safe to say nuclear will never be cheaper than coal or natural gas; nor will it be as safe, clean, and attractive to consumers and investors as renewables. In the end, the most likely option for nuclear energy is neither renaissance nor retreat, but continued slow growth, with heated arguments on all sides…. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-mannle/nuclear-energy-a-fuel-with_b_1032727.html

October 29, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, business and costs | Leave a comment

Russian nuclear experts have left India’s Kudankulam nuclear project site

Russian team leaves Kudankulam site,THE HINDU 28 Oct 11A team of experts from Atomstroyexports, the Russian firm that supplies technology and the equipment for the 2 X 1,000 MWe nuclear reactors of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, who had camped at Kudankulam to inspect the quality of the work completed so far and witness the functioning of the equipment installed, have left the site. The Russians took this decision as they could not get permission to go to the KKNPP site from Anu Vijay Township, where they were staying in the wake of the ongoing protest against the nuclear power project…. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/article2574703.ece

October 28, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, India | Leave a comment

Florida residents will fund nuclear power’s future, or lack of future!

 

 

the users pay upfront, make the investment and yet somehow the shareholders end up getting the profits   

 FPL rates will rise to pay for nuclear projects, State utility regulators rejected arguments from consumer advocates and agreed to allow utility companies to charge customers so they can invest in plans for nuclear power. MIAMI HERALD, BY MARY ELLEN KLAS, TALLAHASSEE , 24 oct 11, — Florida Power & Light got the go-ahead Monday to tack a new charge to the average household electric bill that will go towards investing in nuclear energy — even if the utility never ends up building any new nuclear power plants. Continue reading →

October 25, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, politics, USA | Leave a comment

Iran’s troubled nuclear program

Iran’s nuclear program suffering new setbacks, diplomats and experts say, Washington PostBy ,  October 17 Iran’s nuclear program, which stumbled badly after a reported cyber attack last year, appears beset by poorly performing equipment, shortages of parts and other woes as global sanctions exert a mounting toll, Western diplomats and nuclear experts say. Continue reading →

October 18, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, Iran | Leave a comment

Employment prospects bright in renewable energy and sustainability

Focus on Renewable Energy May Be One Bright Spot in Today’s Job Market  Market Watch, HOUSTON, Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The 2011 jobs market has certainly left much to be desired for many Americans. Rising jobless reports and a bleak economic forecast can make finding a career that feeds a person’s passion and their wallet seem beyond reach. However, for those committed to the environment, green living and sustainability, the outlook may be brighter than you might think, according to MXenergy, a Constellation company and leading energy provider.

“The focus on renewable and clean energy and sustainability has led to tremendous growth in these industries over the past several years,” says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy managing director of marketing. “All indications are that growth is expected to continue which will mean the need for trained, experienced personnel.”

According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, U.S. solar photovoltaic installation increased 64 percent between 2005 and 2010. The institute estimates that the U.S. already has more than 90,000 direct or indirect jobs in the manufacturing and installation of solar panels, with another 85,000 jobs in wind power.

Previously solar panel installation was too cost prohibitive for most homeowners. However many energy providers, including MXenergy’s parent company Constellation Energy, are now launching residential solar panel leasing programs making the transition to solar financially attainable to many homeowners for the first time.

“The increase in affordability and attainability through these programs is a benefit not only to homeowners but also to workers,” continues Kass. “As more people take advantage of solar leasing programs the need for licensed installers will increase as well.”…

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/focus-on-renewable-energy-may-be-one-bright-spot-in-todays-job-market-2011-10-14

October 15, 2011 Posted by | employment, renewable, USA | Leave a comment

Propaganda drive in effort to win Poles over to nuclear power

Poland’s PGE Launches Campaign to Rally Support for Nuclear Power, WSJ By Marynia Kruk, 13 Oct 11 WARSAW — Poland’s largest power utility, PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA, Thursday launched a campaign to boost support for nuclear power in the coal-reliant country.

PGE plans to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant by 2020. Public opinion polls this year showed about half of the nation opposes the plan, while only a minority of about one third of respondents supported it, according to an August poll by TNS OBOP.

PGE is hoping to stimulate a dialog with the public in order to bolster support for nuclear power, said Chief Financial Officer Marzena Piszczek. ….

Poland plans to build two nuclear power plants, each with a 3,000-megawatt capacity, as part of a strategy to diversity its energy sources away from coal and an over-reliance on Russian natural gas. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in June there was no need for a referendum on the plan.

Poland’s communist-era government began construction of a nuclear power plant in the 1980s, but the project was deeply unpopular, especially after the 1987 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, and was never completed.

October 14, 2011 Posted by | EUROPE, marketing | Leave a comment

“New Generation” Olkiluoto 3 nuclear plant delayed yet again, as nuke companies squabblee

Olkiluoto 3 nuke plant may be delayed further –TVO Oct 12, 2011

* TVO says Olkiluoto 3 may start in 2014

* Areva says plans fuel load by end 2012

* Both blame each other for delays

HELSINKI/PARIS, Oct 12 (Reuters) – Finnish utility firm Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) blamed supplier Areva for further delays to the construction of its Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant which may further push back operations to 2014.

The 1,600 megawatt plant Olkiluoto 3, Finland’s fifth nuclear reactor, was originally scheduled to start operations in 2009 but delays and soaring costs meant TVO revised its start date to 2013.

TVO said its plant supplier, a consortium originally formed by France’s Areva and Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE), had informed it of delays in building the reactor’s automation system and in installing piping and electrical systems.

TVO and Areva-Siemens disagree over who is responsible for the delays and have taken a dispute over payment to the International Chamber of Commerce. Siemens has withdrawn from the consortium….http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/12/finland-nuclear-idUSL5E7LC0M620111012

October 13, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, Finland | Leave a comment

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