Some 500 experts and senior officials from around the world are set to gather at an IAEA conference in Spain this month to discuss ways to progress the decommissioning of retired nuclear facilities and the environmental remediation of radioactively contaminated sites.
The International Conference on Advancing the Global Implementation of Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation Programmes, which will take place in Madrid on 23-27 May, will share and review lessons learned from decommissioning and environmental remediation (D&ER) activities over the last decade. The conference’s goals include raising awareness for the need to address the legacy of past nuclear activities, identifying priority areas and recommending strategies for advancing the safe and effective implementation of D&ER programmes.
The decommissioning of old nuclear facilities and the remediation of contaminated sites are important issues worldwide. Currently, 157 nuclear power reactors have been permanently shut down; of these, 17 have been fully decommissioned. One hundred eighty research reactors have been shut down or are being decommissioned, with more than 300 already fully decommissioned. In addition, 170 nuclear fuel cycle facilities have been shut down or are being decommissioned and a further 125 have been completely decommissioned. Of the approximately 440 nuclear power reactors in operation around the world, more than half are nearing the end of their operating lifetimes; those whose licenses are not extended will need to be decommissioned in coming years. Sites used in the past for activities involving nuclear research, uranium mining, and milling and processing of naturally occurring radioactive materials, are also candidates for environmental remediation.
The conference is hosted by the Government of Spain through the National Company for Radioactive Waste (ENRESA), the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), and the Spanish Electricity Industry Association (UNESA). It is co-sponsored by the European Commission and held in cooperation with the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Thematic sessions will include discussions on national policies and strategies to enable and enhance D&ER; regulatory framework and standards; societal and stakeholder involvement; technical and technological aspects of D&ER; optimizing waste and materials management; project management, skills and supply chain; and international cooperation.
Venue
The conference will take place at the Municipal Palace of Congresses, Avenida Capital de España, 7. The nearest Metro station is Campo de las Naciones (L8). Journalists should enter the facility through the gate located at the Paseo de las Doce Estrellas.
Press opportunities
Journalists may attend the opening and closing sessions. On 23 May, the opening session begins at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a press conference at 11:00 a.m. with IAEA Deputy Director General Juan Carlos Lentijo, Director of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security; Christophe Xerri, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology; and ENRESA President Juan José Zaballa, the conference president. On 27 May, the closing session begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by an informal media briefing with Mr Zaballa, Mr Xerri, and Peter Johnston, Director of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety.
Accreditation
All journalists are asked to request accreditation to the conference by emailing the IAEA Press Office at press@iaea.org or calling [+43-1] 2600-21273.