Companies and organisations mentioned in this week´s news round-up include: Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO), Pöyry, KA-CARE (King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy), General Electric (GE),  Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG),Nine Mile Point, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Louisiana Energy Services,and Practical Energy and Climate Plan," S. 3464 (Lugar Bill).

Korea courts nuclear deal with Turkey 

Korea's Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Kyung-hwan has said the country hopes to win a nuclear energy deal in Turkey, according to the Korea Times.

Through its state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), Seoul is vying for a role in Turkey’s plan to establish a two of nuclear power facilities on the Black Sea at Sinop.

"We plan to brace for two-track strategies involving public negotiations between the two governments and private talks between corporations," Choi is reported to have said, following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Taner Yildiz, minister of energy and natural resources.

According to the paper, no other companies are bidding for the Sinop projects.

Pöyry to craft Saudi Arabia nuclear energy plan 

Global consulting and engineering company Pöyry has been commissioned to prepare a draft national nuclear and renewable energy strategy for Saudi Arabia.

KA-CARE (King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy) has appointed Pöyry to develop a strategy, operating model, key short and longer-term priorities, as well as immediate initiatives and action plans to roll out nuclear and renewable energy projects.

According to a press release from Pöyry, Saudi Arabia’s growing power and water requirement make the development of nuclear, renewable energy and desalination plants a key priority for the kingdom.

GE wins Nine Mile Point O&M contract

General Electric (GE) has signed a long-term service contract with Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG) to provide operations and maintenance of Nine Mile Point, a two-unit, boiling water reactor (BWR) nuclear plant in Scriba, New York.

The long-term agreement (LTA) will cover key nuclear instrumentation and associated technical services at the plant. Under the multi-year, multi-outage agreement, GE will supply critical parts, inventory management, and technical services.

GE will also provide its full suite of reactor power monitoring instrumentation, including its most advanced Local Power Range Monitor (LPRM) sensor, and associated technical service expertise.

GE now has long-term contracts in place with the majority of the BWRs in North America for the supply of nuclear instrumentation and/or technical services.  

Green light for New Mexico uranium enrichment plant

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has authorized startup of a $3 billion uranium enrichment plant in New Mexico, according to the Associated Press.

Louisiana Energy Services chief executive Gregory Smith described the NRC’s decision as a “turning point” for the US nuclear industry. The facility is the first of its kind to be licenced in thirty years.

The enriched uranium produced at the Louisiana Energy Services facility will supply fuel for nuclear power plants in the US and overseas.

US Senate Republican bill supports nuclear

Last week Indiana Republican Senator, Richard Luga, introduced legislation supporting energy efficiency and incentives for nuclear energy and renewable resource investments, according to Platts.

The bill, titled "Practical Energy and Climate Plan," S. 3464, is designed to create a diverse energy sourcing requirement.

Within its provision is a mandate to expand federal loan guarantees for nuclear power plants by US$36 billion.

The Lugar bill is being touted as an alternative to the carbon market legislation proposed by Democrat John Kerry and Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman aimed at mitigating climate change and boosting renewable energy resources.    

German gov  boosts coffers via nuclear tax

The German government last Monday announced plans to impose taxes on nuclear power plant operators as part of a plan to reverse its public budget deficit, according to Dow Jones.

The tax will generate €2.3 billion annually to Germany’s package of austerity measures, and will generate a total of €81.6 billion in tax revenues between 2011 and 2014.

While Germany aims to phase out its 17 remaining nuclear reactors by 2022, it has been forced to extend the operational lifespan of the reactors in order to meet its emissions reduction targets.

The government said a nuclear energy tax is reflective of the cost of extending the lives of these facilities. It also said the duty will partially finance decommissioning of nuclear facilities and remediation of waste storage sites.