The UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation has granted formal consent to EDF Energy to decommission the Hinkley Point B nuclear power plant in Somerset, England.

Hinkley Point B - comprising two Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) - was first synchronised to the electricity grid in February 1976. The plant generated more than 311 terawatt-hours of electricity before it was permanently shut down in August 2022. Since then, both reactors at the site have been defueled in advance of the site moving into its decommissioning phase.

Shifting environmental requirements are "reigniting interest" in nuclear propulsion as a long-term solution for maritime decarbonisation, according to Norwegian classification society DNV. However, it says significant challenges remain to be met before nuclear propulsion can become a viable solution.

Sizewell C has published its first Annual Sustainability Report, setting out how the UK’s newest nuclear power station – the first majority British-owned plant in decades – will deliver lasting benefits for people, communities, and nature.

Almost two years into construction, the project now employs nearly 2,000 people on site and is driving investment across the UK. More than 400 British suppliers have secured contracts worth £2.8 billion, including £126 million awarded locally in Suffolk.

The report shows Sizewell C is on track to:

Sizewell C, the first new nuclear project globally to be financed with independent, private financial investors, has today reached Financial Close.

Small modular reactor company Terrestrial Energy Inc has signed a manufacturing and supply contract with Westinghouse subsidiary Springfields Fuels Limited for the design and construction of an Integral Molten Salt Reactor fuel pilot plant.

Guest:  Chris Williamson, President of RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects and founder of Weston Williamson + Partners.
Interviewed by: Antony Oliver

In today’s episode we turn our attention to architecture and its role in shaping not just our buildings and infrastructure, but the society, environment and communities that are created by our built environment.

On the fifth anniversary of its apprenticeship programme, Navantia UK has welcomed 73 new apprentices across its four UK sites, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the next generation of British shipbuilders and engineers.

HMS Agamemnon, the sixth Astute Class submarine, is another step closer to joining the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, following the successful completion of her first dive.  

Shortly after being commissioned in the presence of His Majesty the King, the dive took place over two days and saw the boat submerged in water in the safety of a dock at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, under the control of her Royal Navy crew.

Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) has announced a £389,000 funding boost to the Egni team at Menai Science Park (M-SParc) Anglesey.

The first high-speed, pure methanol engine has celebrated its premiere on the test bench at Rolls-Royce. With this, Rolls-Royce and its partners Woodward L’Orange and WTZ Roßlau in the meOHmare research project have set a milestone on the road to climate- and environmentally-friendly propulsion solutions for ships.

Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a £multi-million contract and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with world-leading nuclear services and technology company, BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT).

Signing the detailed design contract for the nuclear steam generators is another vital step forward in the development of the Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and further re-enforces its position as Europe’s leading SMR.

In the latest update video, Hinkley Point C’s Project Delivery Director, Simon Parsons takes us behind the scenes as the site focus shifts to a new phase. With the civil construction work nearing completion and the second dome in place, attention is now firmly on the power station’s fit out with pipes, cables and equipment.

Thanks to innovation and the experience gained from Unit 1, teams are building the second unit 20-30% faster, with prefabrication now approaching 60%. Everything learned here will benefit Sizewell C from the start.