Bloomberg: EDF, Enel Create Joint Venture for Nuclear Reactors in Italy
’Aug. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Electricite de France SA, Europe's biggest power generator, and Enel SpA created a joint venture to develop at least four new-generation nuclear reactors in Italy more than two decades after the country banned atomic energy production. Sviluppo Nucleare Italia Srl will be based in Rome and will study building four so-called Evolutionary Power Reactors, EDF and Enel said in a statement today. "The creation of this joint venture lays the ground for a concrete come back of nuclear in Italy," Enel Chief Executive Officer Fulvio Conti said in the statement. It will also create jobs amid the economic slump, he said.’

Yahoo! News: Czech utility CEZ to build more nuclear reactors
’PRAGUE (AP) -- The state-run power utility CEZ issued a public tender Monday for the construction of two more reactor units at the Temelin nuclear power station. CEZ said it would take up to 15 years to build the two units, but gave no other details. Temelin is located some 60 kilometers (35 miles) from the Austrian border and has been a source of friction between the two EU states. Austria opposes nuclear power.’

Chicago Tribune: Resurgence of nuclear power not likely to happen
’After the disasters at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, years passed before anyone took seriously the idea of a nuclear revival. Then our friend the atom started making a comeback. Rising demand for energy provided a boost. And the outpouring of concern about climate change put fossil fuels and their carbon emissions at center stage as environmental enemy No. 1. Utilities across the country began laying the groundwork for new reactors, following the lead of Europe and Asia. Yet talk of a "nuclear renaissance" has run into a financial meltdown. New nukes cost big bucks -- bigger bucks, in fact, than anticipated just a year or two ago. Some new U.S. plants will be built, with vast federal subsidies and regulated recoveries of their costs. But a "renaissance?" Not likely.’

Times of India: India built N-sub in Kalpakkam under codename 'PRP'
’What's little known is the extent to which the Indian N-establishment went to conceal the research not only from the public but also large sections of the scientific community within the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). For almost nine years, most staff working at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam believed the Plutonium Recycle Project (PRP) in the complex was used only for that purpose, that is recycling plutonium. But with the launch of INS Arihant on July 25, top DAE officials have finally begun to lift the veil and reveal that they were actually building the core (nuclear reactor and propulsion systems) of the submarine as well as the land-based version of the hull of the indigenous vessel, which served as the technology demonstrator of the main vessel, within the PRP unit. For those in the know, even the term 'PRP' denoted the N-sub.’

Associated Press: Niger president seeks more power in referendum
’NIAMEY, Niger - His opponents are calling it a "slow-motion coup." Fighting to stay in power past the two-term limit, the leader of this uranium-rich desert nation has reversed promises to step down in December. Over the space of several months he has imposed rule by decree and dismantled parliament and the constitutional court, which opposed his plan and represented the last real checks on his rule. On Tuesday, a referendum could remove the last obstacle for President Mamadou Tandja - the constitution - replacing it with a new one that would enable him to remain with greatly boosted powers and grant him the right to rule a three-year transition with no election. Tandja is buoyed by projects that dwarf foreign aid and are unlikely to grind to a halt, including a US$5 billion (euro3.5 billion) deal with China to build an oil refinery and extract new crude from the desert, a US$1.7 billion (euro1.2 billion) accord with French nuclear giant Areva to build the world's second biggest uranium mine and a hydroelectric dam financed with US$50 million (euro35 million) from the Islamic Development Bank. "In the short term, it means he doesn't need to listen to anyone," said Alex Vines, an Africa specialist at London-based think-tank Chatham House. "More resources make staying in power more attractive. But to manage them, you need strong institutions, and what's happening in Niger is the erosion of core institutions."’

Power Engineering: Areva DZ venture to focus on nuclear power plant services
’Areva and Day & Zimmermann have formed a joint venture to offer engineering, construction and maintenance services to the U.S. nuclear utilities sector. The venture will primarily focus on balance of plant, implementing both major and minor nuclear plant modifications. The joint venture will operate as Areva DZ LLC, with Areva's Gary Mignogna serving as president and Day & Zimmermann's Mike McMahon as executive vice president. Services include design/build BOP projects, standard plant modifications, BOP major component replacements, decommissioning, power uprates, plant upgrades and other large and complex projects.’