Regulation and policy
Italy's Senate has approved a government mandate to reintroduce sustainable nuclear power, marking a significant policy shift. This decision follows a three-year exploration into nuclear energy's potential and aims to enhance energy security, achieve decarbonization goals, and foster industrial development. The mandate includes developing a National Programme for Sustainable Nuclear Power and establishing an independent Nuclear Safety Authority.
The draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 has been submitted to the Union Cabinet for inter-ministerial discussion. The policy aims to ensure a reliable and quality power supply, meet peak demand, and achieve financial viability for the electricity sector. It also addresses the development of domestic chip manufacturing for smart meters to enhance the value chain.
Framatome has secured its first contract to supply higher enriched fuel reloads using its Advanced Fuel Management (AFM) technology, with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2028. This agreement marks a significant step in nuclear fuel technology, enabling extended cycle lengths and improved burnup rates for an operational reactor. The AFM program integrates enrichment services, regulatory licensing, and fuel fabrication, with manufacturing taking place at Framatome's facility in Richland, Washington.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA) have outlined their strategies to implement reforms aimed at accelerating nuclear project delivery across the United Kingdom. These plans respond to recommendations from the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, which called for a "radical reset" to reduce costs and timelines for new nuclear builds.
A great discussion on the future of financing India’s nuclear ecosystem. Thank you to everyone who joined our latest NucFinder webinar, and especially to our speakers: Kapil Bansal, Partner at EY-Parthenon India and Hiten Sutar, Partner at EY India. We discussed how the emerging regulatory landsc...
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has signed an agreement with Thailand's Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to fund a feasibility study for small modular reactor (SMR) deployment. The study will assess potential locations, costs, and regulatory requirements for SMR technologies capable of generating approximately 600 MWe. This initiative aims to support Thailand's long-term power development strategy and enhance energy security.
The Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process has officially commenced for X-energy's Xe-100 advanced modular reactor in the United Kingdom. This follows a joint development agreement between Centrica and X-energy Reactor, aiming to deploy a fleet of up to 6 GWe of Xe-100 reactors, with Hartlepool identified as a preferred initial site.
An agreement for the Kishau Multipurpose Project has been signed, resolving a water dispute that had delayed the project for over eight years. The project involves constructing a 232.6-meter-high concrete gravity dam on the Tons River to generate 1,476 million units of hydropower and irrigate 97,000 hectares.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced its first investment in small modular reactor (SMR) technology, providing a convertible loan to Steady Energy. This funding will support Steady Energy's research and development, testing, and licensing activities for its LDR-50 SMR, a heat-only reactor designed for district heating and industrial applications. The investment aligns with the European Commission's goal to deploy SMRs by the early 2030s.
India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047, a significant increase from its current 8.8 GW. This expansion relies heavily on the deployment of indigenously developed Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMRs) in decentralized industrial settings. However, the ambitious goal faces substantial institutional, regulatory, and human resource challenges.
The Trump administration is set to eliminate carbon emission limits for fossil fuel-fired power plants, reversing 2024 Biden-era regulations and proposing to prevent future greenhouse gas emission rules for the power sector.
New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has issued an executive order prohibiting new uranium mining leases and related activities on state lands. The order also prioritizes the cleanup of existing legacy uranium sites within the state.