STRENGTHENING NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NUCLEAR POWER INFRASTRUCTURES
The future of nuclear power will depend to a large extent on the adequacy of the infrastructure of the countries that wish to utilize it. Nuclear infrastructure includes the institutional framework and legislation within which nuclear facilities operate and the industrial, economic, social, technical and scientific capabilities to enable the secure and efficient development, management and operation of nuclear power facilities. In countries wishing to introduce nuclear power the minimum necessary infrastructure needs to be established and enhanced as the programme expands. In some countries the current infrastructure has been challenged by commercial, social and political change and requires to be enhanced to improve the safe and reliable use of nuclear power. One completed project in the 2000 budget cycle focused on activities relating to delayed nuclear power projects. However, during the past year, 2004, several Member States have requested at technical meetings and conferences that new guidance on delayed nuclear power plants, including updating of database information being developed for 2006-2007. It has also been requested to develop guidance on infrastructure for Member States to adopt nuclear power, guidance on operational and economic issues related to licence renewal, and guidance on feedback from experience including decommissioning to plant design and plant replacement. Under this project, guidance will be developed on proven engineering and management practices in establishing and enhancing a variety of infrastructure facilities related to feasibility studies for the introduction of nuclear power and transfer of technology on the owner’s responsibilities in the acquisition of the first NPP project including bid invitation and evaluation. This project will be carried out in conjunction with Programme C and subprogramme A.3 on sustainable and innovative nuclear technology development.
Current Activities
Update Agency guidebooks for nuclear power planning to cover programme planning, infrastructure development, phase-out activities, project management and plant acquisition process
Prepare a TECDOC on delayed nuclear power plants based upon experience and database information
Prepare a TECDOC on the attributes of nuclear power utilities in a deregulated market
Prepare a TECDOC on the infrastructure necessary for Member States to adopt nuclear power, integrating with safety, security and safeguards requirements
Prepare a TECDOC on the operational, economic and management issues for utilities considering license renewal applications
Prepare a TECDOC on feedback from operating and decommissioning experience to design and plant replacement
Recent Achievements
Draft TECDOC on Handbook of nuclear power planning and implementation
Report on Projected costs of generating electricity (published by NEA in 2005)
Draft TECDOC on Early closure or continued operation of a nuclear power plant
Draft TECDOC on Minimum infrastructure for a nuclear power project
Draft TECDOC on Potential for sharing nuclear power infrastructure
Points Of Interests
Economic Evaluation of Bids for Nuclear power Plants, 1999 Edition (TRS-396)
Nuclear Power Programme Planning: An integrated approach, TECDOC-1259
