Latest news with #nuclearpower
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Will China win renewables race while US pivots to fossil fuels and nuclear?
US President Donald Trump's signature budget bill, signed into law earlier this month, marked a startling pivot towards fossil fuels and nuclear power, reigniting a fierce debate over how best to balance the country's energy future with its national security. The act, known officially as the One Big Beautiful Bill, rolls back Joe Biden era subsidies for solar, wind and electric vehicles – a dramatic reversal of long-standing US support for clean energy in a world racing towards decarbonisation. At the same time, the act preserves subsidies for nuclear projects, particularly fusion, which is framed as a dependable, low-carbon energy source and a long-term strategy to lessen US reliance on rare earths. Washington has described the energy overhaul as a strategic imperative rooted in national security concerns – especially after Beijing leveraged its near-monopoly over rare earths in the renewed US-China trade war. The legislation's supporters say it is a bold attempt to secure energy independence, arguing that the US must close technological gaps and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities that could hand additional strategic leverage to Beijing. In this view, China's clean tech manufacturing dominance and control over critical minerals – essential to renewable technologies from solar panels and wind turbines to EV batteries – have left the US exposed to supply disruptions and geopolitical manipulation. Critics argue that the act prioritises short-term security and economic gains over long-term sustainability and global competitiveness – potentially ceding US leadership in the clean energy transition and threatening the planet's climate future.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Energy company strikes deal to deliver next-gen nuclear power to critical US military base: 'We are honored'
Energy company strikes deal to deliver next-gen nuclear power to critical US military base: 'We are honored' Oklo Inc. has been selected to deliver carbon-free power to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska through its advanced fission technology, according to Business Wire. At the heart of this project is the Aurora powerhouse, Oklo's first fast reactor technology. Unlike traditional reactors, fast reactors can efficiently utilize nuclear fuel and even recycle nuclear waste into usable energy. This represents substantial progress in sustainability and energy efficiency. Fission energy is generated when uranium or plutonium atoms are split. This process produces large amounts of heat, which can be converted into electricity. Unlike fossil fuels, fission does not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases during operation, making it a valuable energy source for combating rising global temperatures. "We are honored to support national defense resilience objectives while demonstrating the value of U.S.-pioneered fast reactor technology," Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte said in a statement. The implications of this stretch far beyond the Air Force base. By providing stable, long-term pricing under a power purchase agreement, Oklo's reactors could help cities and individuals avoid spending a fortune on traditional energy sources. Small, self-sustainable reactors offer a decentralized energy solution that can keep hospitals, data centers, and neighborhoods powered during outages. Oklo is designing, constructing, owning, and operating the power plant. If this project were to be executed in other areas, it would enable communities to adopt clean power without incurring expenses for infrastructure. That said, nuclear does not come without downsides. Many experts point to the high cost and longer construction times of getting nuclear online compared to solar and wind, and the Union of Concerned Scientists has regularly aired reservations about relying on lightly tested small modular reactor generation in particular. In a post last year called "Five Things the 'Nuclear Bros' Don't Want You to Know," UCS Director of Nuclear Power Safety Edwin Lyman wrote of SMRs that "it is essential to have a realistic understanding of their costs and risks," mentioning Oklo directly at times. Setting aside the difference in safety with these smaller reactors, there is nuclear waste created either way, which must be contained and stored carefully, and any water that comes into contact may contain radioactive isotopes such as tritium. But as North Carolina State University associate professor Robert B. Hayes has said, scientific data suggests that nuclear is overall much safer for human health and responsible for fewer deaths than fossil fuel sources such as coal. And while there is some greenhouse gas pollution associated with the nuclear industry as a whole, especially for mining, it does not contribute nearly as much to atmospheric pollution as dirty energy sources, making transitions toward nuclear still stand as cleaner environmental choices on the whole. Would you feel safe living close to a nuclear power plant? Absolutely It's not my first choice Depends on how close No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
IEA predicts fastest rise in power demand in more than a decade
PARIS - Global electricity demand is forecast to increase at one of the fastest sustained rates in over a decade, driven by increased industrial use as well as data centres and electric vehicles, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday. It said demand would rise by 3.3% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026, well above the 2.6% recorded between 2015 and 2023 and that investment was needed in grids, storage and making the electricity system more flexible. At the same time, renewable energy is expected to overtake coal as the world's largest source of electricity by the end of 2025 or in 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends, the IEA said. Nuclear power output is also projected to reach record levels, supported by reactor restarts in Japan, steady generation in the U.S. and France, and new capacity in Asia, the report said. Gas-fired generation is set to continue to displace coal and oil in the Middle East and Asia, the IEA said. "The strong expansion of renewables and nuclear is steadily reshaping electricity markets in many regions," said Keisuke Sadamori, IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security. "But this must be matched by greater investment in grids, storage and other sources of flexibility to ensure power systems can meet the growing demand securely and affordably," he said. The IEA expects carbon emissions from electricity generation to plateau in 2025 and slightly decline in 2026, although that could depend on the weather and economic developments. Emerging Asian economies are set to account for 60% of the increase in global electricity consumption through 2026, as growth in China accelerates to 5.7% in 2026, up from 5% in 2025, while India's growth is predicted to be 6.6% in 2026 versus 4% in 2025, the report said. In the United States, data centre expansion is projected to keep annual electricity demand growth above 2% through 2026. Growth is likely to be slower in the European Union at around 1% this year, with a modest acceleration in 2026, the report said. (Reporting by Forrest Crellin; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
NexGen Announces Final 2024 and New 2025 Assay Results at Rapidly Growing Patterson Corridor East (PCE)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 29, 2025) - NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX: NXE) (NYSE: NXE) (ASX: NXG) ('NexGen' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce additional exciting 2024 and winter 2025 assay results from exploration at Patterson Corridor East ('PCE'). Assays from 2024 are now fully received (Table 1). New assays received from early winter 2025 with RK-25-227 returning 12.0 meters (m) at 3.46% U 3 O 8 including 2.5 m at 14.9% U 3 O 8 and an impressive 31.0% U 3 O 8 over 0.5 m (Figure 1, Table 2). RK-25-227 is located 100 m down plunge of hole RK-25-232, and 100 m up dip from RK-24-222, demonstrating the continuity of this high-grade mineralization. Leigh Curyer, Chief Executive Officer, commented: 'These new assays demonstrate PCE's high grade intensity and scale of mineralization, reflecting the emergence of a second major high-grade mineralized system 3.5km to the east of Arrow. To date, PCE is mirroring Arrow in many respects - basement hosted with a high grade sub-domain. Drilling will continue to systematically test both the overall footprint extent and inner high grade sub-domain at PCE which both remain open in all directions. As demand for nuclear power continues to grow and Big Tech companies alongside global policy makers and a wide range of industries continue to adopt nuclear power. The demand is increasing considerably faster than ever anticipated and the opportunity for the southwest section of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan to service this worldwide demand is massive for local communities, Saskatchewan and Canada. NexGen will continue to add resources through its efficient discovery and delineation of uranium resources to its already world recognized Rook I Project and prospective land holdings that remains over 95% unexplored.' Jason Craven, Vice President, Exploration, commented: 'With the complete assay results for 2024 and early 2025, we are excited by the rapid growth of this material discovery and the similarities it exhibit to Arrows. The majority of the 2025 drill campaign remains ahead of us and the team is intensely focused on further unlocking the scale of PCE in the same cost and time efficient manner delivered with Arrow.' [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Figure 1: Core photo of assays from RK-25-227, grades are shown as % U3O8 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Figure 2: Interpreted model of mineralization at PCE (as of this release) with newly received assay results highlighted; view is a long section that looks perpendicular to the primary mineralized plane; total mineralized footprint in orange and the high-grade subdomains in red To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Table 1: 2024 Assays received since May 27 news release [This table cannot be displayed. Please visit the source.] Table 2: 2025 Assay results received since May 27 news release [This table cannot be displayed. Please visit the source.] About NexGen NexGen Energy is a Canadian company focused on delivering clean energy fuel for the future. The Company's flagship Rook I Project is being optimally developed into the largest low-cost producing uranium mine globally, incorporating the most elite environmental and social governance standards. The Rook I Project is supported by an N.I. 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study, which outlines the elite environmental performance and industry-leading economics. NexGen is led by a team of experienced uranium and mining industry professionals with expertise across the entire mining life cycle, including exploration, financing, project engineering and construction, operations and closure. NexGen is leveraging its proven experience to deliver a Project that leads the entire mining industry socially, technically and environmentally. The Project and prospective portfolio in northern Saskatchewan will provide generational, long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits for Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world. NexGen is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'NXE,' and on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol 'NXG,' providing access to global investors to participate in NexGen's mission of solving three major global challenges in decarbonization, energy security and access to power. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with its primary operations office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Contact Information Leigh Curyer Chief Executive Officer NexGen Energy Ltd. +1 604 428 4112 [email protected] Travis McPherson Chief Commercial Officer NexGen Energy Ltd. +1 604 428 4112 [email protected] Monica Kras Vice President, Corporate Development NexGen Energy Ltd. +44 7307 191933 [email protected] Technical Disclosure* All technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jason Craven, NexGen's Vice President, Exploration, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. Natural gamma radiation in drill core reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (cps) using a Radiation Solutions Inc. RS-125 gamma spectrometer. The reader is cautioned that total count gamma readings may not be directly or uniformly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured; they should be used only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive minerals. A technical report in respect of the FS is filed on SEDAR ( ) and EDGAR ( and is available for review on NexGen Energy's website ( Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors This news release includes Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources classification terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada and the Mineral Reserves and the Mineral Resources estimates are made in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ from the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') set by the SEC's rules that are applicable to domestic United States reporting companies. Consequently, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources information included in this news release is not comparable to similar information that would generally be disclosed by domestic U.S. reporting companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. Forward-Looking Information The information contained herein contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws and regulations and 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. 'Forward-looking information' includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the 2021 Arrow Deposit, Rook I Project and estimates of uranium production, grade and long-term average uranium prices, anticipated effects of completed drill results on the Rook I Project, planned work programs, completion of further site investigations and engineering work to support basic engineering of the project and expected outcomes. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans', 'expects', 'is expected', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes' or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved' or the negative connotation thereof. Statements relating to 'mineral resources' are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment that, based on certain estimates and assumptions, the mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future. Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about NexGen's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions, including among others, that the mineral reserve and resources estimates and the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based are as set out in this news release and the technical report for the property , the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price and market supply of uranium, the cost of planned exploration activities, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment, supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct NexGen's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate in the future. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of NexGen to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of NexGen expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others, the existence of negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of the availability of additional financing, the risk that pending assay results will not confirm previously announced preliminary results, conclusions of economic valuations, the risk that actual results of exploration activities will be different than anticipated, the cost of labour, equipment or materials will increase more than expected, that the future price of uranium will decline or otherwise not rise to an economic level, the appeal of alternate sources of energy to uranium-produced energy, that the Canadian dollar will strengthen against the U.S. dollar, that mineral resources and reserves are not as estimated, that actual costs or actual results of reclamation activities are greater than expected, that changes in project parameters and plans continue to be refined and may result in increased costs, of unexpected variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates or other risks generally associated with mining, unanticipated delays in obtaining governmental, regulatory or First Nations approvals, risks related to First Nations title and consultation, reliance upon key management and other personnel, deficiencies in the Company's title to its properties, uninsurable risks, failure to manage conflicts of interest, failure to obtain or maintain required permits and licences, risks related to changes in laws, regulations, policy and public perception, as well as those factors or other risks as more fully described in NexGen's Annual Information Form dated March 3, 2025 filed with the securities commissions of all of the provinces of Canada except Quebec and in NexGen's 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on SEDAR at and Edgar Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or statements or implied by forward-looking information or statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements due to the inherent uncertainty view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Global uranium production expected to grow modestly in 2025, due to temporary mine disruptions
After an estimated 12.4% rise in 2024, global uranium production is projected to grow by 2.6% to 62.2 kilotonnes in 2025. Growing global concerns about climate change and the need for low-carbon energy sources, including for power-hungry data centres, have led to renewed interest in nuclear power. However, despite this positive outlook, production growth in 2025 is expected to be moderate due to temporary disruptions at major mines such as Kazakhstan's Inkai deposit. On 1 January 2025, operating activities at the Inkai mine were suspended due to Inkai LLP's failure to secure the requisite approvals from the relevant authorities. This lack of essential permits compelled the company to halt production. Theproduction suspension was subsequently resolved later that month when the necessary paperwork was finalised. However, leading data and analytics company GlobalData anticipates this temporary disruption to result in a 2.5% decline in the country's uranium output in 2025. In Canada, uranium production has been significantly supported by the restart of major mines, including McArthur River. Previously shut down due to low prices and difficult market conditions, these mines have resumed operations and contributed to Canada's position as the second-largest uranium producer, with a 23.4% share of global output in 2024. Meanwhile, Namibia's uranium sector is poised for substantial growth following a period of subdued production. In 2024, production reached 7.1 kilotonnes, driven by the restart of the Langer Heinrich mine. Looking ahead, a 17.5% year-over-year increase is expected in 2025, mainly due to the ramp-up at Langer Heinrich and stable output from Husab and Rossing. Looking ahead, over the forecast period, global uranium production is expected to grow at an 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching 91.6 kilotonnes by 2030. Several uranium projects are under development or expansion, particularly in key production regions such as Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia, positioning the industry for long-term growth as demand for nuclear energy continuesto rise. "Global uranium production expected to grow modestly in 2025, due to temporary mine disruptions" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
