Hot functional tests have been completed at the Olkiluoto 3 EPR, Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) announced today. The company said preparations have already started for loading fuel into the core of the 1600 MWe pressurised water reactor ahead of its start-up later this year. World-nuclear-news.org

Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power Company is to cut its electricity prices for customers by more than 5% on average following the restart of units 3 and 4 of its Ohi nuclear power plant and the subsequent reduction in fuel costs. The company made a similar price cut last August after units 3 and 4 of its Takahama plant resumed commercial operation. World-nuclear-news.org

Nawah, the operator of the unfinished four-unit Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, said Tuesday that startup of the first unit at the plant – the first nuclear power plant in the region – would be delayed again due to issues related to its “readiness” to operate the facility. Nuclearstreet.com

The United Nation’s International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday that Bahrain had signed its first Country Program Framework that formally initiates its interest in various priorities related to the transfer of nuclear technology and international cooperation. Nuclearstreet.com