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Nuclear Fuel Price Indicator of Chinese Nuclear Society (Trial) November 2022 (No. 12)
I. Nuclear fuel price indicator of Chinese Nuclear Society
The nuclear fuel price indicator of Chinese Nuclear Society, which covers natural uranium, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment and other links, is obtained through comprehensive calculation by collecting market transaction price data.
Note: The exchange rate used in this issue is USD: CNY = 1: 7.1768
II. News and events in China
1. NEA issued the Action Plan for Promoting the Standardization of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in the Energy Sector
The National Energy Administration (NEA) of China issued the Action Plan for Promoting the Standardization of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in the Energy Sector (hereinafter referred to as "the Plan"). According to the Plan, China will establish a relatively sound energy standard system preliminarily by 2025 to provide strong support for and guide the green and low-carbon transformation of energy.
In terms of nuclear power, the Plan proposes to further improve the nuclear power standard system. China will create a nuclear power standard system for advanced GEN-III pressurized water reactors, promote the application and implementation of independent standards, and carry out research on nuclear power technologies with GEN-IV characteristics such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and fast reactors, as well as technical standard systems for small modular reactors (SMRs) and offshore floating nuclear plants (OFNPs). It will focus on improving the level of nuclear safety-related technical standards. [NEA website, October 9, 2022]
2. The first batch of simulated Hualong One fuel assemblies roll off the production line
On September 28, China North Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. produced the first batch of simulated Hualong One fuel assemblies, marking that the company successfully gained the capacity to produce and manufacture Hualong One fuel assemblies to which China has exclusive intellectual property rights. The Hualong One fuel assembly for advanced PWRs relies entirely on independent intellectual property rights of China, and is the heart of the reactor core of Hualong One – an independent nuclear power brand of China. [cnnpn.cn, October 9, 2022]
3. Northeast Chinas first nuclear energy heating demonstration project commenced in Wafangdian City, Dalian
The first nuclear energy heating demonstration project in Northeast China was commenced in Hongyanhe Town, Wafangdian City, Dalian. The project is jointly funded by SPIC Northeast Electric Power Co., Ltd (hereinafter referred to as "the Northeast Company") and Liaoning Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the Hongyanhe Company"). According to its feasibility study report, it attracted an estimated investment of CNY 79.90 million in total to serve a heating area of nearly 200,000 m2 and is planned to be put into production during the heating period from 2022 to 2023. This demonstration project will contribute to accumulate experience for the whole construction of nuclear energy heating projects and explore a feasible path for the construction of long-distance pipeline network. [cnnpn.cn, October 10, 2022]
III. International news and events
1. France looks into increasing uranium enrichment capacity
The French National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) has announced it is relaunching a consultation on the Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant to consider increasing the plants capacity from 7.5 to 11 million SWU per year. The Georges Besse II plant - a gas centrifuge uranium enrichment plant built to replace the former Georges Besse I gaseous diffusion plant - was officially opened in December 2010 and began commercial operation in April 2011. The project would involve the addition of four natural uranium enrichment cascades. The approximate cost is estimated at EUR 1.3 billion (USD 970 million). [World-nuclear-news.org, October 10, 2022]
2. Construction of the USAs first commercial-scale HALEU-based fuel fabrication plant commenced
On October 13, 2022, representatives from U.S. government departments, X-energy and TRISO-X LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of X-energy) participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the USAs first commercial-scale high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU)-based fuel fabrication plant. The fuel fabrication plant, includes a TRISO-X Fuel Fabrication Facility (TF3), in Oak Ridge, Tennessee is set to be commissioned and operational by 2025.
The plant, which will use high-assay low-enriched uranium to produce tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel, will initially produce 8 tonnes of fuel per year, fueling X-energys 12 Xe-100 modular small reactors. X-energy said the facility will be the first TRISO fuel fabrication facility to receive a Class II license from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It will produce nuclear fuel for a variety of advanced reactors and modular small reactors, as well as special nuclear fuel for the United States Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion program. [World-nuclear-news.org, October 17, 2022]
3. Canadian companies join force to acquire Westinghouse
On October 11, 2022, Cameco and Brookfield Business Partner announced the acquisition of Westinghouse Electric Company headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA. Brookfield Renewable, together with its institutional partners, will own a 51% interest in Westinghouse and Cameco will own 49%. Closing of the transaction is expected in the second half of 2023.
In 2006, Toshiba Corporation of Japan acquired Westinghouse Electric Company from British Nuclear Fuels Limited. In March 2017, Westinghouse Electric filed for bankruptcy. In January 2018, Brookfield, a listed Canada asset management company, agreed to acquire Westinghouse Electric from Toshiba for USD 4.6 billion. [World-nuclear-news.org, October 12, 2022]
4. Worlds largest chloride salt system in place
Southern Company and TerraPower have completed construction and installation of the Integrated Effects Test (IET) facility at TerraPowers laboratory in Washington. The IET is the worlds largest chloride salt system developed by the nuclear sector and will support the development of the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE) and also the construction of the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR).
The molten salt reactors, flexible in operation with energy storage technology, can respond quickly to changes in demand, and automatically enter idle mode or quickly return to full power operation, making it an ideal supplement to intermittent renewable energy. [World-nuclear-news.org, October 19, 2022]
5. Germany decides on continued operation of reactors
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has officially announced on October 17, 2022, the extension of all three of Germanys remaining operating nuclear power plants from December 31, 2022, to April 15, 2023. Scholz has officially announced the decision to the relevant departments, and the German government will then officially start the legislative process. [World-nuclear-news.org, October 18, 2022]
Issue time and cycle: the price indicator of nuclear fuel (natural uranium, uranium conversion and separation work) products and services issued in the current month is comprehensively calculated based on transactions or contracts within the statistical range of the previous month, for example, the price indicator released in December is the result calculated based on nuclear fuel transactions or contracts in November.
Statistical scope of indicator: mainly spot and long-term transactions or contracts of major nuclear fuel production, processing and purchase sectors in China, as well as effective transactions or contracts outside China that can be tracked and counted; the nuclear fuel price indicator of Chinese Nuclear Society, reflecting the market price level fairly, impartially and comprehensively, is an important reference rather than the entrusted price or bid price in the market.
Spot transaction or contract: a transaction or contract completed within 2 years.
Long-term transaction or contract: a transaction or contract lasting for more than 2 years.
Issued by: Nuclear Fuel Price Indicator Office of Chinese Nuclear Society
Contact information: +8610-88821342
