Policy & people

India's non-fossil energy capacity has surpassed 300 GW, prompting a new power policy to address evolving sector challenges such as grid management and transmission expansion. The government is also promoting open access and domestic smart meter technology.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued the first construction permit for a commercial small modular reactor (SMR) in the United States to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). This permit allows TVA to construct the BWRX-300 SMR at its Clinch River site, marking a significant step for advanced nuclear technology in the country.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Industry leaders at the ET Energy Leadership Summit 2026 emphasized that scaling district cooling is crucial for India to manage its escalating electricity demand. Projections indicate that cooling could account for nearly half of the country's peak electricity demand by 2047-48, necessitating policy mandates, robust business models, and domestic manufacturing capabilities.

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.

Government and industry leaders at the ET Energy Leadership Summit 2026 emphasized that the next phase of power-sector growth in India hinges on the development of transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure to keep pace with rising renewable capacity and electricity demand.

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.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has requested ratification from the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission for its short-term power purchase agreements covering September 1, 2026, to May 15, 2027.

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 is preparing to introduce a new incentive program valued at up to Rs 13,000 crore ($1.37 billion) for advanced battery cell component manufacturers. This initiative aims to reduce the cost disparity with Chinese producers and enhance energy security by fostering a domestic battery supply chain.

The Department of Energy has finalized a loan to NextEra Energy for the restart of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa. The plant, a single-unit boiling water reactor, ceased operations in 2020 but is now slated to return to service by early 2029, backed by a 25-year power purchase agreement with Google.

The Indian government has directed the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to develop a roadmap for the indigenization of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, aiming to eliminate imports by 2030. This initiative addresses concerns about supply chain disruptions and national energy security due to reliance on foreign technologies for critical power infrastructure.

The Pink Corridor project is examining the feasibility of nuclear-powered commercial shipping between the Port of Charleston, South Carolina, and the Port of Felixstowe, England. This initiative focuses on regulatory, security, and safety considerations for a conceptual nuclear-powered container ship route.

India's Central Electricity Authority has published a roadmap to localize production of supervisory control and data acquisition systems for the national power grid, aiming to eliminate import dependence by 2030.

Blykalla has submitted a proposal to the Swedish government for a nuclear power plant at Untra, featuring up to eight lead-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs) with a total capacity of up to 440 MWe. This application follows an earlier submission for a six-unit project in Norrsundet. Both projects are seeking state support under Sweden's new state aid framework for nuclear power.