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Getting Nuclear Power Started
IAEA Helps with Self-Assessment and Workforce Planning in Countries Considering Nuclear Power
Staff Report
6 April 2009
The IAEA is developing guidelines and tools to support decision-making at various levels, with the goal of promoting the safe, secure and sustainable development of nuclear power. In the picture, Belgium's Doel nuclear power plant. (Photo: IAEA)
- Story Resources
- IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy
- Infrastructure Support for Member States Interested in Nuclear Power
- Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power [pdf]
- Considerations to Launch a Nuclear Power Programme [pdf]
- Evaluation of the Status of National Nuclear Infrastructure Development [pdf]
- Planning and Economic Studies Section
- Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development: Guidelines and Methodologies [pdf]
As several developing economies consider rolling out or expanding nuclear power programmes, they are approaching the IAEA for assistance on key issues such as energy and human resources planning.
In response, the IAEA offers guidelines and tools to support decision-making at various levels, with the goal of promoting the safe, secure and sustainable development of nuclear power.
Energy planners met at the IAEA in Vienna from 24-27 March to draft indicators that can be used by countries to compare nuclear power with their other energy options. These will provide a flexible tool for analysts and decision makers to understand national situations and trends, the impact of policies and the potential impact of policy changes.
The new indicators capture energy, environmental, economic and financing issues, as well as technical, social, political and institutional aspects that influence demand for nuclear power.
The new set of indicators is the result of a collaborative effort between experts from the IAEA, Member States and other international organizations.
"Various groups have worked together to produce this draft. This is a great result and we look forward to the next stage in the process, when these indicators will be tested by Member States," says the IAEA´s Alex Roehrl, an Energy Systems Analyst from the Nuclear Energy Planning and Economic Studies Section.
There is interest in pilot applications of the new indicators in Argentina, Chile, Ghana, India, Malaysia and Nigeria. A meeting is already scheduled for October 2009 to review the outcomes of pilot applications and refine the set of indicators.
Human Factor
Human resources development is another area in which the IAEA provides crucial support to Member States considering nuclear power. From 31 March - 2 April, experts from Belarus, Chile, Egypt, France, India, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Poland, Qatar, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the USA reviewed draft guidance on human resources development for a country introducing nuclear power.
The document contains information on the necessary competencies and on workforce planning options to develop them. It also features examples from countries with recent experience in building their nuclear workforces. It will be published later this year, but several countries are already putting its guidance to use.
"We will provide assistance through the IAEA´s Technical Cooperation Programme," says the IAEA´s Tom Mazour, a Nuclear Power Engineer in charge of the project. "At the meeting, Belarus, Chile, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Nigeria, UAE and Thailand requested assistance."
Background
In line with concerns about climate change, security of supply, volatility of energy prices, power market reforms and the energy aspects of socio-economic sustainable development, there have been "rising expectations" for the future role of nuclear energy in developed as well as developing countries.
See Story Resources for more information.