Nuclear

Toshiba Corporation has today said it will abandon plans to build a 3.4 GW nuclear power plant in the United Kingdom. Despite this, the government says it remains committed to its new nuclear path; others say the news leaves room for further renewables development. New statistics, also out today, show the U.K. renewables industry flourishing.

Despite hitting annual sales targets, revenue slips following fall in nuclear and hydropower prices in French utility’s key markets. New Solar Plan forms backdrop of renewable energy transition, company says.

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has given an October 23 deadline for testimony under a rule intended to subsidize nuclear and coal plants, a schedule which the solar and wind industries are joined by oil, gas and other public power groups in opposing. This could be the beginning of a long fight.

Global nuclear power generation increased by 1.4%, whereas solar power output grew by 30% and wind by 16% in 2016, with all renewables representing 62% of global power generating capacity additions, finds the 2017 World Nuclear Industry Status Report.

Two offshore wind farms to be built for just £57.50 per MWh following today’s second Contracts for Difference subsidy auction – well below price government guaranteed for Hinkley Point C nuclear farm.

Information from the latest edition of GTM Research’s Global Solar Demand Monitor shows that solar’s globally installed capacity is rapidly catching up with that of nuclear, and that solar could in fact grow to more than double nuclear’s current capacity within the next five years.

As costs are driven down by the economies of scale and improvements in manufacturing and deployments, new technologies are finding their way to widespread adoption, as seen in the case of solar modules. In order to facilitate the prediction of costs and outcomes for new energy storage technologies, a team of researchers from Imperial College London has developed a tool to help policy makers and investors make informed decisions.

The 1 MW plant on the site of half-built nuclear power plant in Tennessee is a harbinger of things to come in the U.S. and global electricity mixes, as demonstrated in March and April.

In the wake of 2011’s Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan’s electricity sector underwent a complete overhaul, and has now reached a milestone. It is determined to usher in more renewables and a policy push is set to assume a vital role.