Nuclear Power Engineering

Management of Nuclear Power Plant Projects

22 December 2011 - Managing long-term and complex projects such as the construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is a challenging task for which international peer discussion benefits all stakeholders involved in the process.

In order to provide Member States a forum for the exchange of practical experience on the management of nuclear power plant projects the IAEA organized, in co-operation with the host organization Slovenske Elektrarne a.s, member of Enel Group, a Technical Meeting on the Management of Nuclear Power Plant Projects. The meeting was held from the 5-8 December 2011 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The objective of this Meeting was to allow participants to share their experiences in the field of management of NPP projects with a focus on challenges and the solutions to overcome those challenges. Over 25 professionals from 13 countries participated in the event. Experts from various organizations (government ministries, vendor companies, regulators and operators) involved in the management of new NPPs participated in the meeting.

Countries with a long experience in operating nuclear power plants and currently managing the construction of new power plant(s) have very different experience from those countries currently planning the first introduction of nuclear power in their country. Although the variety of national backgrounds triggers different issues, all countries are facing similar types of challenges. The lessons learned from the most advanced construction projects are a valuable source of knowledge for managers of projects in an earlier phase. Comparing the management practices of projects in the same stage of development in various countries also allows the sharing of good practices. An international exchange of views is beneficial for all, as it allows project managers to increase their knowledge in the field and enable them to avoid difficulties already experienced by their peers.

In addition to providing the participants with the opportunity to share experiences and to have rich in-depth discussions on management related issues, the meeting provided them with a first collection of challenges and corresponding good practices in four main areas: "management of the licensing procedure", "project management tools and techniques", "project management in relation to capacity building" and "management of contractual relationship and stakeholders".

Please contact NENP Engineering Section - Contact Point if you have any questions.