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Industry news
The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2016
by Mycle Schneider and Antony Froggatt, independent consultants
The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2016 (WNISR2016) provides a comprehensive overview of nuclear power plant data, including information on operation, production and construction. The WNISR assesses the status of new-build programmes in current nuclear countries as well as in potential newcomer countries. The WNISR2016 edition includes again an assessment of the financial status of many of the biggest industrial players in the sector.
This is the executive summary of the report.
Click here for the full article and to download the full report
This edition also provides a Chernobyl Status Report, 30 years after the accident that led to the contamination of a large part of Europe. The Fukushima Status Report gives an overview of the standing of onsite and offsite issues five years after the beginning of the catastrophe. The Nuclear Power vs. Renewable Energy chapter provides global comparative data on investment, capacity, and generation from nuclear, wind and solar energy. Finally, Annex 1 presents a country-by-country overview of all 31 countries operating nuclear power plants, with extended Focus sections on Belgium, China, France, Japan, and the United States.
The China effect
- Nuclear power generation in the world increased by 1,3%, entirely due to a 31% increase in China.Ten reactors started up in 2015, more than in any other year since 1990, of which eight were in China. Construction on all of them started prior to the Fukushima disaster.
- There were eight construction starts in the world during 2015, to which China contributed six, down from 15 in 2010 of which 10 were in China. There were no construction starts in the first half of 2016.
The number of units under construction is declining for the third year in a row, from 67 reactors at the end of 2013 to 58 by mid-2016, of which 21 are in China. - China spent over US$100-billion on renewables in 2015, while investment decisions for six nuclear reactors amounted to US$18-billion.
Early closures, phase-outs and construction delays
- Eight early closure decisions were taken in Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the US.Nuclear phase-out announcements were made in the US (California) and Taiwan.
- In nine of the 14 building countries all projects are delayed, mostly by several years. Six projects have been listed for over a decade, of which three for over 30 years. China is no exception here: at least 10 of 21 units under construction are delayed.
- With the exception of the United Arab Emirates and Belarus, all potential newcomer countries delayed construction decisions. Chile suspended their nuclear plans and Indonesia abandoned theirs.
Nuclear giants in crisis: renewables take over
- AREVA has accumulated US$11-billion in losses over the past five years. The French government decided a €5,6-billion bailout and broke up the company. Share value is 95% below 2007 peak value. State utility EDF struggles with $41,5-billion debt, and has been downgraded by S&P. Chinese utility CGN, EDF partner for Hinkley Point C, has lost 60% of its share value since June 2015.
- Globally, wind power output grew by 17%, solar by 33%, nuclear by 1,3%.
- Brazil, China, India, Japan and the Netherlands now all generate more electricity from wind turbines alone than from nuclear power plants.
Chernobyl+30/Fukushima+5
- Three decades after the Chernobyl accident shocked the European continent, 6-million people continue to live in severely contaminated areas. Radioactive fallout from Chernobyl contaminated 40% of Europe's landmass. A total of 40 000 additional fatal cancer cases are expected over the coming 50 years.
- Five years after the Fukushima disaster began on the east coast of Japan, over 100 000 people remain dislocated. Only two reactors are generating power in Japan, but final closure decisions were taken on an additional six reactors which had been offline since 2010-11... (more)
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Invitation
Memorial Lecture in honour of Emeritus Professor Charles Landy
The School of Electrical & Information Engineering of the University of the Witwatersrand cordially invites you to a Memorial Lecture in honour of Emeritus Professor Charles Landy (1945 to 2015) entitled:
Powering South African Industry and beyond - the legacy of Prof. Charles Landy
by guest speaker Dr. Malcolm McCulloch
DATE: Thursday 4 August 2016
TIME: 18h30 for 19h00 (snacks and drinks served at 19h00)
VENUE: Wits University, West Campus, FNB Building (FNB101)
COST: No cost, free-of-charge
Charles Landy was instrumental in uplifting the technical capability of the South African electrical machines industry. Not only did he develop many novel techniques for design and fault diagnosis, he also developed a cadre of graduates and postgraduates that have made a substantial difference, both locally and internationally. But, Charles was much more. He epitomised integrity, was quietly, but deeply religious and had a wry sense of humour. This lecture will endeavour to pay tribute to this giant of the Power Industry.
Please RSVP before Friday 29 July 2016.
To RSVP and for further information, please contact:
Moeniera Ismail, Tel: 011 717-7244; Email: moeniera.ismail@wits.ac.za
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