Greetings!

In this issue we highlight the challenges and opportunities created by the US-North Korea Summit and significant agreements on nuclear energy cooperation involving China, Russia, India, Canada and Argentina. Also featured is a new study by NEI on the vulnerability of the electric grid from nuclear plant retirements and an initiative to strengthen the US electric system from cyber attacks.

At the very least, the Singapore Summit between U.S. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un created a period of lower tension and heightened fluidity in the relationship between the two nations. It did not solve the North Korean nuclear threat, but it did set the stage for potential progress. While complete, irreversible, verifiable dismantlement of the North Korean nuclear arsenal is the top U.S. goal, there are other issues that need to be addressed during this period of potential policy opportunity.

 

One important example is the U.S. intelligence community’s concern about the potential threat   of DPRK proliferation of WMD technology to other states or non-state actors. We already know of North Korea’s assistance to Syria in building a nuclear reactor and there are suspicions of other nuclear assistance. North Korea has fissile materials, scientific knowledge and weapons-production technology. It all needs to be secured from potential export or leakage. 

 

The danger posed by intentional or inadvertent transfer of sensitive nuclear materials or equipment highlights the gaps that exist in the global nuclear security system and the need to strengthen and unify it. Surprisingly, there are no international standards or legally enforceable rules on how all nations should protect their nuclear materials. It is a national decision cloaked in opacity, which gives rise to concerns about its effectiveness in some nations.  This is an issue on which the U.S., South Korea, China, and Japan can agree while the difficult denuclearization discussions unfold. Agreeing to not transfer any nuclear technology or materials outside the country would be a goodwill action by North Korea and possibly a step toward them re-joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

 

A second opportunity is in the energy sector. If Kim is serious about shifting gears in his “dual track” policy to emphasize economic opportunities now that he has declared the nuclear weapons program completed, boosting the economy will require more power and significant electric grid upgrades. Energy is an area where South Korea, China, Russia, and the U.S. can put “power of prosperity” incentives on the table in exchange for DPRK denuclearization. This is a bargain that has faltered in the past, but if the unusual Singapore summit process offers any lasting legacy it is that opportunities are not always predictable.

Kenneth Luongo, President, Partnership for Global Security

Canada and Argentina signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further nuclear energy and energy efficiency cooperation at the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting.

Russia signed a historic $3.1 billion nuclear deal with China, creating an “unprecedented level of trust” by developing a framework for the construction of four next-generation Russian nuclear reactors and cooperation in the CFR-600 fast reactor project.

India announced it will continue cooperating with Russia in developing civil nuclear energy programs in third-world countries.

Jordan cancelled its $10 billion agreement with Russia to construct its first nuclear power plant (NPP) after Russia requested loans from commercial banks to finance the project.

As it prepares to leave Euratom, the UK passed a Nuclear Safeguards Bill and signed two new safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), establishing a new domestic nuclear safeguards regime and maintaining their civil nuclear trade agreements.

China-based nuclear power investment firm Ocean Nuclear met with investors in London to kick off its global  roadshow of investor presentations aimed at raising $5 billion for investment in the nuclear sector. The meetings coincided with the firm’s co-sponsorship of the  Global Nuclear Investment Summit in London. 

Retirements of nuclear power plants combined with disruptions in gas pipeline infrastructure could lead to blackouts in areas served by the PJM Interconnection, the operator of the electric grid in the eastern US, according to a  study conducted by ICF Strategic Consulting for The Nuclear Energy Institute.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) will give nearly $64 million in awards for R&D in advanced nuclear energy technology through its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program, granting Terrestrial Energy USA $3.15 million and Westinghouse Electric Co. $5 million.

China expects to complete the first-of-its-kind Westinghouse-designed Gen III AP1000 reactor by November. Also, to meet its skilled-labor demands of its 13th 5-Year Plan, China will build a new nuclear technology university.

 

Despite South Korea’s nuclear safety agency approving the restart of the Shin-Kori No. 3 reactor, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power has planned an early retirement for Unit 1 of the Wolsong NPP due to the government’s new phase-out policy. Many fear this will have detrimental effects on export plans.

As part of Kenya’s 2030 Vision Plan, South Korea hosted a workshop discussing future construction of Kenya’s first NPP.

Japan’s Tepco is considering permanently closing the operable Fukushima Dai-Ni NPP.

Turkey will construct its third NPP at the Thrace site.

Bulgaria plans to restart the construction of its Russian-designed Belene NPP, increasing tensions regarding its energy-reliance on Russia.

As Nuclear Struggles, A New Generation of Engineers is Motivated by Climate Change

NPR, June 15

Nuclear Power Won’t Survive Without a Government Handout

FiveThirtyEight, June 14

Can SMR Technology Revitalize the Business of Nuclear Power?

Power Engineering, June 13

Environmentalists Foolishly Go To War Against Nuclear Power

New York Post, June 12

Nuclear Energy: A Path Forward for Environmental Advocates

Morning Consult, June 8

The Partnership for Global Security (PGS) is a recognized international leader and innovator in nuclear and transnational security policy developing actionable responses to 21st century security challenges by engaging international, private sector, and multidisciplinary expert partners to assess policy needs, identify effective strategies, and drive demonstrable results.