Technical Meeting on the Responsibilities and Capabilities of Owners and Operating Organizations in New Nuclear Power Programmes

While the safe operation of a nuclear power plant (NPP) relies on the establishment of a strong owner/operator, developing competence goes further than just being ‘ready to operate’ — it also includes capacity building so that the operator is fully involved in the project, including during construction.

The role of the owner/operator during construction includes supervising the construction work and interfacing with the regulatory body, no matter what contractual arrangement was agreed. This capability has to be prepared during phase 2 (as defined in the IAEA’s Milestones Approach), when the future owner/operator is being established. This establishment can be a major challenge for newcomer countries, as they have little experience to draw upon.

The IAEA has issued several publications that provide some guidance and information for Member States developing their nuclear infrastructure, and especially regarding the role of the owner/operator, including

• Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-G-3.1 (Rev. 1), 2015)
• Initiating Nuclear Power Programmes: Responsibilities and Capabilities of Owners and Operators (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-T-3.1, 2009), which is now being revised.

The main purpose of the event is to present the latest draft of the revision of the publication Initiating Nuclear Power Programmes: Responsibilities and Capabilities of Owners and Operators, which lists the roles of the organization during project development (phase 2) and construction (phase 3). It also covers strategies to develop competence for the owner/operator. The event will also provide an opportunity for countries to exchange information as well as to learn relevant lessons from case studies and current practices.