National Aluminium plans nuclear power plant
’Bhubaneswar : The state-owned National Aluminium Co (Nalco) is focusing on diversification, including setting up a nuclear power plant and moving into other metals, to meet the economic meltdown. As part of its plans, the company has begun talks with the Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) to set up a nuclear power plant of 1,000 MW capacity, said Nalco chairman and managing director C.R. Pradhan. "We are in talks with NPCIL. We have plans to become an independent power producer," Pradhan said after the company's 28th annual general meeting here saturday. Nalco also aspires to be a global player in metal business and is in the process of diversifying into other metals from its core business interest, aluminium. "We are trying to spread the risk keeping in view the economic meltdown, instead of remaining dependent on one commodity. It is part of our diversification plan," said Nalco finance director B.L. Bagra.’

Axa private equity drops out of race for Areva unit: report
’LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Axa SA's private equity unit has dropped out of the bidding for Areva SA's power transmission and distribution unit, Reuters reported Sunday citing the WanSquare online publication. Axa Private Equity failed to present a bid by Friday's deadline because it had problems finding enough capital on time, the report said. The French nuclear group has received several non-binding offers for its T&D unit, an Areva spokeswoman told Dow Jones Newswires Friday. Also Friday, rival power and transport engineering company Alstom SA told Dow Jones Newswires that it intended to make a joint offer with electrical equipment maker Schneider Electric SA for Areva's T&D unit.’

Greens Chair: Still No to More Nukes
’Minister of Labour and Green League chair Anni Sinnemäki has reiterated her opposition to further construction of nuclear power capacity in Finland. In an interview with the online newspaper Uusi Suomi, Sinnemäki says that giving approval for construction of a fifth commercial reactor in 2002 was a mistake. The Olkiluoto 3 unit is far over budget and behind schedule. The government has received applications to build three more reactors, and is to decide soon whether to approve any or all of them. Sinnemäki says none should be approved. Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen, who has the primary say over the matter, seems to be leaning toward approval of one new unit.’

Proglio still favourite to head EDF - newspaper
, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Henri Proglio, the current head of waste and water group Veolia Environnement, has re-emerged as front-runner to head French state-controlled power group EDF, the Journal du Dimanche (JDD) newspaper said on Sunday. Proglio, who is a friend of President Nicolas Sarkozy, had for some time been rumoured in media reports to have the backing of the head of state to succeed Pierre Gadonneix, 66, in November. However recent newspaper reports said Proglio wanted to head the supervisory board at Veolia at the same time as donning the mantle of executive chairman at EDF (EDF.PA).’

Proposed Bangladesh nuke plant to produce up to 1000MW power
’Dhaka: Bangladesh expects its proposed first nuclear plant in northwestern Ruppur area to produce up to 1000-megawatt of electricity as it reached an initial understanding with Russia for technological assistance for the ambitious USD 150 million project. "We will have elaborate talks with Moscow for technological supports for the project but it depends on Russia what type of assistance it would offer," State Minister for Science Yafez Osman was quoted as saying by the official BSS news agency today. His comments came ahead of his visit next month to the Russian capital Moscow for discussions on the issue. Officials have said they expected the plant to generate 600-1000-mw of electricity. Osman would lead an eight-member delegation to Moscow to visit their nuclear energy installations and for talks with Russian authorities on assistance for Bangladesh's first such nuclear venture estimated to cost USD 150 million.’

Warning over nuclear waste leak
nuclear power station has been issued with a final warning letter after radioactive waste leaked into the sea, it has emerged. Around 2600 litres of low level waste was discharged from Hunterston B into the Firth of Clyde on May 15 because of a problem with a valve. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said it did not cause an environmental issue.’

The eco-threat of the Italian Mafia
revelation by Francesco Fonti that the Calabria Mafia sank a number of ships in the Mediterranean carrying a cargo of nuclear and toxic waste confirmed what the international environmental non-governmental organisation Greenpeace has been stating for a number of years. The cargo on board these ships (which could number as many as 42) is of direct concern to Malta. The environmental crime of dumping this toxic and nuclear waste could have already affected (without our knowing) Malta's water supply as well as the fish we eat and the seawater we swim in. Whether and to what extent the food chain was contaminated is difficult to ascertain at this stage unless the relevant authorities are in a position to explain whether over the years fish and water (including sea-water) were sampled and tested for chemical contamination. Hopefully, such monitoring, sampling and testing was carried out. At this stage no information is forthcoming as to the type of toxic wastes dumped nor whether the waste dumped is still contained or else whether it has dispersed. The exact location of the dumping and the sea currents prevalent in the area would also be of extreme relevance.’

Finland in dispute over sale of surplus nuclear power
’The Finnish finance minister Jyrki Katainen said last week that he would be happy to export surplus nuclear generated electricity. According to Newsroom Finland, Katainen's statement came just one day after the economic affairs minister Mauri Pekkarinen had advised the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE that Finland could not export any of its nuclear-generated electricity. "Alongside the export debate one should bring up a debate over whether imports of nuclear-generated electricity should be banned," Mr Katainen said during the management meeting. "Nobody has proposed that, yet there are plenty of those ready to ban exports," he stated at the time.’