42nd IAEA General Conference

Spain, Mr. Jose Manuel Serra, State Secretary for Industry and Energy:

He opened by describing highlights of Spain’s nuclear programme over the past year. During 1998, its nuclear plants contributed 30.1% of the total national electricity production and the availability factor was over 90%, reflecting their strong performance. He further reviewed developments related to energy legislation, nuclear regulation, and the liberalization and growing competitiveness of markets. The country has further adopted a general plan for radioactive waste management, which includes a framework for decisions about final disposal of waste in geological repositories. Regarding the dismantlement of Vandellos nuclear plant, which was closed in 1998, he said progress is continuing toward meeting project milestones. Turning to safeguards, he said Spain is moving to ratify the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement, and he appreciated steps to strengthen the safeguards system’s efficiency and effectiveness in line with global realities. He further reaffirmed support for the Trilateral Initiative for IAEA verification of weapons-grade material in Russia and the USA, though further studies are needed on particular aspects of the issues involved, notably questions related to financing. Referring to nuclear safety, he welcomed the positive results from the review conference of parties to the Nuclear Safety Convention, and he urged greater support and acceptance by States of the joint convention on the safety of radioactive waste and spent fuel management. In this connection, he pointed towards the international conference on radioactive waste that Spain will be hosting early next year. He also underscored the importance Spain attaches to the Agency’s safety review services, noting that his country has requested a number of such missions. He also applauded Agency efforts to develop and put into place an action plan to address the issue of safety and security of radioactive materials. He closed by citing Spain’s close cooperation with, and support of, the Agency’s technical assistance and cooperation programme.

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Spain, Mr. Jose Manuel Serra, State Secretary for Industry and Energy:



He opened by describing highlights of Spain’s nuclear programme over the past year. During 1998, its nuclear plants contributed 30.1% of the total national electricity production and the availability factor was over 90%, reflecting their strong performance. He further reviewed developments related to energy legislation, nuclear regulation, and the liberalization and growing competitiveness of markets. The country has further adopted a general plan for radioactive waste management, which includes a framework for decisions about final disposal of waste in geological repositories. Regarding the dismantlement of Vandellos nuclear plant, which was closed in 1998, he said progress is continuing toward meeting project milestones. Turning to safeguards, he said Spain is moving to ratify the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement, and he appreciated steps to strengthen the safeguards system’s efficiency and effectiveness in line with global realities. He further reaffirmed support for the Trilateral Initiative for IAEA verification of weapons-grade material in Russia and the USA, though further studies are needed on particular aspects of the issues involved, notably questions related to financing. Referring to nuclear safety, he welcomed the positive results from the review conference of parties to the Nuclear Safety Convention, and he urged greater support and acceptance by States of the joint convention on the safety of radioactive waste and spent fuel management. In this connection, he pointed towards the international conference on radioactive waste that Spain will be hosting early next year. He also underscored the importance Spain attaches to the Agency’s safety review services, noting that his country has requested a number of such missions. He also applauded Agency efforts to develop and put into place an action plan to address the issue of safety and security of radioactive materials. He closed by citing Spain’s close cooperation with, and support of, the Agency’s technical assistance and cooperation programme.