Nuclear Energy Weekly Digest
Nuclear Energy Weekly Digest
Week 1 (December 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026)
Russia Commences Kursk NPP-2 Unit 1 Operations on New Year's Eve
The first power unit of the Kursk NPP-2 nuclear power plant in Russia achieved connection to the nation's unified energy system on December 31, 2025, at 11:00 PM Moscow time, reaching an initial capacity of 240 megawatts and synchronising with the grid precisely at midnight to mark the commencement of 2026.[5][6][7] The 1,250 MW VVER-TOI reactor represents Rosatom's most powerful unit to date and symbolises a pivotal moment for Russian nuclear expansion, with Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev characterising the start-up as "a symbolic New Year's gift" for the nation and an essential step toward increasing nuclear's share of Russia's energy balance from the current 20 percent to 25 percent by 2042.[5][6]
The power start-up phase will see unit capacity gradually increase to 35–40 percent of nominal value over coming weeks, with comprehensive testing of all equipment and systems conducted according to regulatory requirements established by Russia's nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor.[5][6][7] Full commissioning of the unit is scheduled for completion during 2026. The VVER-TOI design incorporates enhanced technical and economic characteristics compared to legacy reactor types, featuring a 60-year design service life with potential extension for an additional 20 years, and incorporates Russia's latest safety systems including a unique core melt localization device.[5][6] Kursk NPP-2 will ultimately comprise four VVER-TOI units, collectively replacing the four ageing RBMK-1000 reactors at the existing Kursk NPP, which are scheduled for permanent shutdown by 2031 after exceeding their original 30-year design lives through extension programmes.[6][7]
The Kursk-2 project represents a cornerstone of Russia's broader nuclear expansion strategy announced by President Vladimir Putin in November 2025, targeting construction of 38 new reactor units within less than two decades, primarily across the Urals, Siberia, and Far Eastern regions.[5][7] The completion of unit 1's grid connection positions Kursk NPP-2 as demonstrating the technical and operational feasibility of the VVER-TOI design for serial production and deployment at additional sites, with plans for expanded manufacturing capacity to support accelerated national nuclear expansion objectives.[5][6]
South Korea Approves Saeul No. 3 Reactor Operations, Ending Two-Year Approval Hiatus
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission issued an operating licence for the Saeul No. 3 reactor on January 2, 2026, approving the commencement of commercial operations following nearly a decade of construction and representing the nation's first new reactor approval in approximately two years.[1][8] Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company plans to initiate a six-month pilot operational phase followed by commercial operation beginning in 2026, with full capacity achieved after comprehensive operational testing and validation.[1][8]
The regulatory approval occurs amid significant policy transitions in South Korea's energy strategy under President Lee Jae Myung, whose administration has pursued renewable energy expansion rather than continued nuclear capacity expansion. The government targets increasing renewable energy's share of electricity generation to at least 30 percent by 2035, up from 9 percent in 2024, consistent with South Korea's Nationally Determined Contribution submitted to the United Nations in December 2025.[1][8] President Lee stated in September 2025 that constructing new nuclear power plants from design inception to commercial operation requires approximately 15 years, rendering large-scale new nuclear construction projects impractical for near-term capacity expansion within his administration's planning horizon.[1]
Nevertheless, approval for Saeul No. 3—a reactor with advanced construction commenced years prior—aligns with government support for utilising reactors already under construction or online, leveraging existing investments to reduce dependence on overseas energy imports, particularly coal and natural gas.[1][8] The reactor's commissioning will contribute to South Korea's electricity supply security while maintaining the nation's established nuclear infrastructure, currently providing approximately 27 percent of the country's electricity generation.[1][8]
Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Approaches Fuel Loading Phase
Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, comprising two 1,200 MW VVER-1200 reactors constructed under an intergovernmental agreement with Russia's Rosatom, advanced toward a critical operational milestone with announcements of fuel loading scheduled to commence in early February 2026.[3][9][10] Officials of the Bangladesh Nuclear Power Plant Company Limited stated on December 29 that ancillary construction works are expected to complete within five weeks, preparing the facility for the sensitive fuel loading process.[3][9]
If fuel loading proceeds as scheduled during February 2026, reactor startup and water heating phases are anticipated to require approximately one month, after which trial operations will commence in phases enabling partial electricity supply to Bangladesh's national grid by March-April 2026.[3][9] Officials emphasised that electricity generated during the trial phase will be irregular and inconsistent until formal unit handover following completion of extended trial operations, with full commercial production potentially achievable by mid-2026 depending on the outcome of gradual power ascension testing.[3][9] The facility must successfully complete 30 remaining critical safety tests before commencing fuel loading, with no shortcuts permitted in this highly sensitive process.[3][9]
The 2,400 MW combined capacity of both units will satisfy approximately 10 percent of Bangladesh's electricity requirements once fully operational, advancing the nation's energy independence and supporting industrial development objectives.[3][9] The project, valued at USD 12.65 billion and originally scheduled for December 2024 operational status, experienced implementation delays attributable to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, global supply chain disruptions, and foreign currency shortages.[3][9][10] The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Atomstroyexport JSC, a Rosatom subsidiary, are coordinating commissioning activities under enhanced security protocols, with Bangladesh's military assuming responsibility for plant protection during operational phases.[3][9][11]
US Army Evaluates Nuclear Microreactor Deployment under Janus Programme
The United States Army, coordinating with the Department of Energy and the Trump administration's nuclear expansion initiative, commenced evaluation of compact nuclear microreactor deployment at nine domestic military installations under the "Janus" programme—an initiative designed to strengthen energy security for critical defence infrastructure against grid disruptions, cyberattacks, and physical sabotage.[2][3][6] Installations under consideration include Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Fort Drum, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Redstone Arsenal, representing strategically important Army facilities vulnerable to extended electrical outages.[2][3]
Nuclear microreactors are designed to generate less than 20 megawatts of electrical capacity and can be transported fully assembled on trucks, enabling deployment at remote locations, military bases, data centers, and college campuses without the infrastructure requirements of traditional nuclear plants spanning hundreds of acres.[2][3][6] The technology offers particular advantages for locations vulnerable to grid failures, extreme weather impacts, or cyberattacks targeting civilian electrical infrastructure by enabling on-site power generation and reducing dependence on civilian utility systems subject to multiple failure modes.[2][3] Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the administration supports deploying microreactors "like replacing a remote diesel generator in an Alaskan village or at a remote mine site," emphasising applications to diverse geographic locations and operational contexts.[2][3]
The Department of Energy anticipates demonstrating approximately ten different advanced reactor designs over the next two years, with small modular reactor construction potentially commencing in 2026 or 2027.[2][3] However, regulatory experts and nuclear analysts emphasise that public perception and community acceptance constitute formidable obstacles, with decades of historical scepticism and mistrust surrounding nuclear power requiring sustained education and confidence-building efforts before microreactors gain widespread acceptance beyond military applications.[2][3][6] The Army's testing programmes could serve as early validation platforms, providing operational data supporting technology readiness certification and demonstrating nuclear microreactors' capability to deliver reliable, clean electricity for diverse mission requirements.[2][3]
Duke Energy Submits First Early Site Permit Application for Advanced Nuclear Development
Duke Energy submitted an early site permit application to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission on December 30, 2025, for a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County, North Carolina, culminating two years of feasibility assessment work.[12][13][14][15] The early site permit (ESP) application represents Duke Energy's first such submission and constitutes a technology-neutral licensing approach enabling the utility to resolve environmental and site safety questions on a preliminary basis before committing to specific reactor technology selection or substantial capital expenditures.[12][13][14][15]
The ESP application includes six potential reactor technologies: four small modular reactor designs and two non-light-water designs, deliberately excluding conventional large light-water reactors similar to Duke Energy's existing 11-unit operating fleet in the Carolinas.[12][13][14][15] Duke Energy Chief Nuclear Officer Kelvin Henderson stated that submitting an ESP permits "advancing licensing activities while reducing risks and allowing technologies to mature," providing strategic optionality for future decision-making without premature technological commitment.[12][13][15] If operational evaluation confirms that small modular reactor technology at the Belews Creek site offers optimal customer value, the company plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity to its system by 2037, with the first small modular reactor commencing commercial operation in 2036.[12][13][14][15]
An approved early site permit remains valid for 10 to 20 years, with renewal options extending validity an additional 10 to 20 years, though permit possession does not authorise construction commencement—such permission requires subsequent construction permits or combined construction and operation licences.[12][13][14][15] The NRC completed pre-application readiness assessments of Duke's draft site safety analysis report and environmental documentation on December 18, 2025, confirming submission readiness.[12][14] Duke's application advances the broader strategy articulated by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, committing the Trump administration to financing up to 10 additional nuclear power plants as part of comprehensive nuclear energy renaissance objectives.[12][13]
Vietnam's Atomic Energy Law Takes Effect on January 1, 2026
Vietnam's new Law on Atomic Energy entered into legal effect on January 1, 2026, establishing formal legal frameworks for development of advanced nuclear technologies in the nation, which had abandoned its prior nuclear power programme following the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011.[16][17] The law represents a strategic pivot toward nuclear energy as a cornerstone of Vietnam's energy security and carbon neutrality objectives, reflecting global consensus regarding nuclear power's essential role in addressing climate change and electricity demand growth driven by industrialisation and data centre expansion.[16]
RMIT University Vietnam academics specialising in nuclear energy policy have identified critical preconditions for successful nuclear sector development in Vietnam, including power grid modernisation to accommodate reliable nuclear baseload generation, establishment of robust nuclear safety culture spanning regulatory agencies and operational personnel, and investment in specialised workforce development and training programmes essential for safe reactor operations and fuel cycle management.[16] Vietnam's historical nuclear experience encompasses only research reactors, with commercial nuclear power plant operations requiring comprehensive institutional capacity building, regulatory framework maturation, and international partnership arrangements to ensure safe, secure, and effective nuclear technology deployment aligned with international non-proliferation obligations.[16]
Global Capacity Projections and 2026 Expectations
The World Nuclear Association's World Nuclear Outlook Report 2025 projects global nuclear capacity reaching 1,428 GW by 2050, surpassing the 1,200 GW "triple nuclear" target established at COP30 in November 2025.[1][4] Nuclear electricity generation achieved record production of 2,667 terawatt-hours in 2024, with 50 countries now maintaining explicit nuclear plans extending through 2050, including China, France, India, Russia, and the United States, collectively accounting for approximately 1,000 GW of projected expansion.[1][4] Financial institutions, technology corporations including Amazon, Google, and Meta, and international development bodies including the World Bank and 14 major financial institutions have affirmed support for nuclear energy investment frameworks.[1][4]
Industry observers identify 2026 as a transformative year featuring multiple significant operational milestones including Bangladesh's Rooppur unit 1 grid connection, Turkey's Akkuyu unit 1 commissioning, continuation of Russia's Kursk NPP-2 expansion, first concrete pouring for Hungary's Paks II project, advancing small modular reactor construction in North America, and potential commencement of operations at Finland's Onkalo deep geological repository—marking the world's first permanent spent fuel repository entering commercial service.[4][18] Approximately 15 new reactor units are anticipated to commence operations in 2026, adding approximately 12 gigawatts of new global nuclear capacity and reversing a weak 2025 when only two reactors entered service while seven were permanently decommissioned, reducing global capacity by approximately 1.1 GW.[18]
References
[1] World Nuclear Outlook 2025: Global Nuclear Capacity Outlook ()
[2] Army Tests Nuclear Microreactors as US Pushes Next-Generation Energy ()
[3] Bangladesh Rooppur Unit 1 Nears Power Generation, Grid Connection ()
[4] In Quotes: What to Watch Out for in 2026 ()
[5] First Kursk II Unit Connected to the Grid ()
[6] Rosatom Launches First Power Unit of Kursk NPP-2 ()
[7] Power Unit No. 1 of Kursk NPP-2 Connected to Unified Energy System ()
[8] South Korea Clears Way for New Nuclear Reactor to Start in 2026 ()
[12] Duke Energy Submits Early Site Permit Application ()
[19] Army Tests Nuclear Microreactors ()
[18] 2026: The Year Nuclear Power Reclaims Relevance ()
[20] Dukovany and Temelín Nuclear Power Plants Generate More Than 32 Terawatt-hours ()
[16] Plugging Nuclear Energy Safely into Vietnam's Grid ()
[17] US Nuclear Regulation ()
[13] Duke Energy Submits Early Site Permit Application Details ()
[14] Duke Submits Early Site Permit Application Details ()
[9] Rooppur Unit 1 Progresses Through Commissioning Tests ()
[15] Duke Energy Early Site Permit Filing ()
[10] Bangladesh Army to Take Full Charge of Rooppur Security ()
[11] Bangladesh Army to Take Full Charge of Rooppur Security ()
Sources
[1] POWER Digest [January 2026]
[2] South Korea Clears Way for New Nuclear Reactor to Start in
[3] Army tests nuclear microreactors as US pushes next- ...
[4] In quotes: What to watch out for in 2026
[5] Dukovany and Temelín Nuclear Power Plants Generate ...
[6] Army tests nuclear microreactors as US pushes next- ...
[7] 03 | January | 2026 - Nuclear-news.net
[8] Nuclear Reactors in the World “Under Construction” ( ...
[9] Rooppur unit 1 progressing though commissioning tests
[10] Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
[11] Bangladesh Army set to take full charge of Rooppur ...
[12] World Nuclear News: Homepage
[13] Duke Energy submits early site permit application for nuclear project
[14] Duke Energy submits early site permit application for potential new ...
[15] Duke Energy submits early site permit application for ...
[16] Plugging nuclear energy safely into Vietnam's grid
[17] US – Nuclear Regulation
[18] 2026: The Year Nuclear Power Reclaims Relevance With ...
[19] With a focus on nuclear power, Takaichi's energy policy ...
[20] World Nuclear Association: Home Page
[21] Why a Nuclear Plant Is a Big Sticking Point in the Ukraine ...
[22] Nuclear startup to build reactor plant at Manhattan Project ...
[23] Nuclear Week in Parliament 2026
[24] Plans For New Reactors Worldwide
[25] Nuclear news at the start of 2026
[26] Nuclear Energy Revival: Trending News, Latest Updates, ...
[27] Kursk 1250 MW Nuclear Mega Reactor Goes Live ...
[28] Rooppur Unit 1 nears power generation, grid connection ...
[29] The first two units of the new Kursk NPP-2 will be ...
[30] Rosatom Launches First Power Unit of Kursk NPP-2 into ...
[31] Kursk-II unit 1 delayed
[32] Duke Submits Early Site Permit Application for North Carolina Nuclear Unit
[33] Power unit No. 1 of Kursk NPP-2 was connected to the unified ...
[34] Duke Energy seeks federal review for potential Belews Creek ...
[35] IAEA Observes Commitment to Operational Safety at ...
[36] First Kursk II unit connected to the grid
[37] [PDF] Letter to Duke Energy and Preapplication Readiness Assessment ...
[38] Cold Hydraulic Testing Complete For Rooppur-1 Nuclear ...
[39] Russia - World Nuclear Performance Report
[40] Duke Energy - Request for Readiness Assessment for Early Site Permit Application - Pre-Application Activities for Site Near Belews Creek Steam Station
