Effective and efficient oversight of the global nuclear supply chain is crucial to safety and quality in both operating nuclear facilities and nuclear new builds. This was emphasized at an event held alongside the IAEA’s 63rd General Conference today. Some 90 delegates attended the Nuclear Operators’ Forum to discuss challenges and solutions for the sustainable management of the nuclear supply chain.

French state-controlled utility EDF and French nuclear state agency CEA are in talks with U.S. nuclear reactor builder Westinghouse to develop a Small Modular Reactor (SMR), a group of French companies involved in the project said on Tuesday.

UK-based Moltex Energy, creator of the Stable Salt Reactor (SSR), has raised GBP6 million (USD7.5 million) in funding through online investment platform Shadow Foundr. The funding will support the company through the pre-licensing process in Canada and will allow the further development of the business in the UK.

Romanian state-owned nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica will likely get a life extension of its first reactor, which will enable it to function until 2026 before it needs refurbishment, a company executive said on Thursday.

Cavendish Nuclear, part of the Babcock International Group, has successfully secured a contract in Canada. The Group will be delivering consultancy services to support licensing of a used fuel transportation package and assessments for long-term used fuel storage. 

Without a significant increase in the deployment of nuclear power, it will be difficult for the world to secure sufficient energy to achieve sustainable development and to mitigate climate change, Mikhail Chudakov, deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today on announcing publication of the Vienna-based agency's latest projections for energy, electricity and nuclear power trends through 2050.