Top 5 Groundbreaking Nuclear Reactor Projects to Watch in 2024
Nuclear reactors are used in nuclear energy to produce electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, thereby safeguarding the environment. Consequently, a large number of nuclear power reactors are now under development to satisfy the need for electricity while simultaneously reducing their impact on the earth.
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1. Leningrad II-3, Russia
In April, construction began on the most recent nuclear reactor unit at the enormous Leningrad nuclear power plant in Russia. With a total capacity of 1085 megawatts, the Leningrad II-3 reactor is the third of four VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors at the site. It is the successor to Leningrad II-1 and Leningrad II-2, which were commercially operational in 2018 and 2021, respectively.
Accordingly, the building is taking place in light of Russia's plans to raise the proportion of its energy generated by nuclear plants to 25 percent by 2045 from the current level of approximately 20 percent.
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2. El Dabaa Unit 4, Egypt
Beginning in January of this year, the 4th section of the El Dabaa nuclear generation facility in Egypt commenced construction. The first nuclear power station in Egypt will be called El Dabaa, and it will comprise four pressurized water reactors (PWR) with a capacity of 1,110 megawatts of steam equivalent (MWe). It will also be the first on the African continent since the Koeberg website was launched in 1984 and was based in South Africa.
Rosatom, a Russian company that also delivers nuclear fuel from Russia, is overseeing the construction of the project, which is situated 320 kilometers northwest of Cairo. In July 2022, construction started on the first apartment. At a cost estimated to be 28.8 billion dollars, it is anticipated that all four units will be operating by the year 2031.
3. Plant Vogtle 4, USA
Plant Vogtle is anticipated to bring Unit 4 to Waynesboro, Georgia, within the first three months of this year. As mentioned, Unit 4 is currently in the process of starting up, and once it is operational, it will supply the grid with over 1,100 megawatts of clean power.
Westinghouse's AP1000 technology is utilized by Unit 3, which entered commercial service during the summer of last year. The Department of Energy (DOE) provided around twelve billion dollars in loan guarantees for the expansion project, which supported nine thousand employees during peak construction. When all four reactors at Plant Vogtle are operational, it will become the most significant contributor to clean power in the United States.
4. Energy Harbor, Ohio
Through the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Ohio, Energy Harbour is working towards establishing an electrolysis system before the end of the year. Moreover, hydrogen might be marketed in the region for use in local industry and transportation services, such as fuel for a local bus fleet.
At the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Xcel Energy intends to present a groundbreaking initiative that utilizes high-temperature electrolysis to produce clean hydrogen. The Department of Energy is providing funding for these initiatives using existing reactors to assist in reducing costs and increasing clean hydrogen generation. Additionally, both of these programs reportedly have the potential to open up novel opportunities for the nuclear industry.
5. Zhangzhou-3, China
In October 2019, the construction of Zhangzhou Unit 1 commenced, followed by the construction of Unit 2 in September 2020. The units are anticipated to begin engaging in commercial operations in the years 2024 and 2025, respectively. In October 2020, CNNC released the environmental effect assessment for Chengdu units 3 and 4. As part of the Zhangzhou plant's Phase II, the State Council of China approved in September 2022 the building of two Hualong One units. On February 22, CNNC stated that the first concrete was poured for the nuclear island of unit 3, marking the beginning of development in Phase II.
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