China, the world's biggest greenhouse gases emitter and coal consumer, is expected to add 180 gigawatts (GW) of new power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources during 2022, driving total non-fossil fuel capacity to 1,300 GW, according to a report issued by the China Electricity Council (CEC) late on Thursday.

Nuclear power plants may also be affected by extreme natural events, such as earthquakes, tornados, volcanic activity, ice storms and flooding. In rare circumstances, these events can be extreme enough to exceed the design capacity of a nuclear power plant.

For six months now, the EC has been in possession of the scientific verdict that nuclear energy is a sustainable energy source that can make a significant contribution to mitigating climate change.

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi FBR Systems (MFBR) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TerraPower of the USA to cooperate on the development of sodium-cooled fast reactors. TerraPower - founded by Bill Gates - is developing the Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor.

In April 2021, the Estonian government formally approved the formation of a nuclear energy working group (NEPIO) tasked with analysing the possibility of introducing nuclear energy in Estonia.

"Replacing coal boilers with advanced modular reactors (AMRs) allows the use of existing infrastructure for clean electricity generation and a fast, low-risk path to decarbonising global power generation,"

Small Modular Reactors Day was an international platform for discussing the benefits of Small Modular Reactors, the prospects for their development and how this technology can be applied around the world.

The MoUs - signed in both Gdańsk and Westinghouse's office in Warsaw - include cooperation on the possible construction of six AP1000 plants for the Polish nuclear power plant programme.

"As the federal government, we have once again clearly expressed our rejection of the inclusion of nuclear energy. It is risky and expensive," Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a joint statement with Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, both senior members of the Greens party.

The agreement between Iran and world powers lifted sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its atomic activities.