North America

A November 2008 US national public opinion survey by Bisconti Research for the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) indicates public support for nuclear electricity reached a record high of 74%. This compares to 63% in April 2008. Those strongly in favour of nuclear energy outnumber those strongly opposed by nearly four to one (38% to 10%).

Support for nuclear energy in Canada continues to grow. Canadians expressed support for nuclear energy in a national poll (Ipsos Reid) conducted for the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) in September 2008. Support for nuclear energy was up 15% since February 2005. National support for refurbishing reactors and new builds are at historic levels: 67% support refurbishment and 49% support new build.

At the end of 2008, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) had received 17 applications for combined construction and operating licences (COL) for 26 new nuclear reactors. The NRC has stated that starting in 2009, it expects to receive additional applications for approval to construct at least seven reactors. Of these applications, we expect four to eight new reactors will be constructed in the US over the next decade.

In Canada, the province of Ontario has announced that it has chosen the Darlington nuclear power plant as the site for two new reactors. Ontario has stated that it plans to choose a preferred reactor vendor in 2009. Bruce Power is considering building reactors in Ontario and northern Alberta and has recently completed a feasibility study to look at the possibility of building a nuclear power plant with two reactors in Saskatchewan. In addition, New Brunswick Power has publicly stated that it is considering the construction of a second nuclear reactor to produce electrical power for export to the northeastern US. Hydro-Quebec announced that it will move forward with a refurbishment project to extend the life-span of the Gentilly-2 reactor, which began commercial operation in 1983. The refurbishment will enable the 675 megawatt Candu-6 reactor to operate until around 2040.

Europe

The government of Sweden announced that it has reversed a decision to phase out the country's 10 commercial reactors and stated that existing reactors could be replaced at the end of their operating lives.

The UK government formally announced a decision to support a new generation of nuclear power plants. Reports indicate up to 10 nuclear reactors could be built by 2020.

India

In October 2008, the US government approved the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with India (123 Agreement). India has also completed NCAs with France and Russia. Nuclear trade missions to India have commenced and a number of countries (including Canada) are negotiating bilateral agreements.