Technical Meeting on Topical Issues in the Development of Nuclear Power Infrastructure

This meeting will provide a platform for senior officials and managers from nuclear energy programme implementing organizations, regulatory bodies and nuclear power plant owners and operating organizations to meet and discuss nuclear power infrastructure development issues. The meeting will focus on challenges faced by Member States in prioritizing and scheduling activities that must be addressed in nuclear infrastructure development, as outlined in the revised IAEA publication Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-G-3.1 (Rev. 2)).

The meeting will focus on the strategic management of new or expanding nuclear power development programmes, with an emphasis on the following topics:

• Recent development in nuclear power programmes in embarking countries
• Considerations for nuclear power programmes in pre-phase 1 countries
• Pre-feasibility & elements of the comprehensive report for stablishing national position in embarking countries 
• Feasibility studies for NPP projects including project development and BIS
• Ownership models, financing and contracting options 
• Funding requirement in newcomer countries
• Managing the NPP projects, contract and construction
• The use of external support (TSO) for the owner/operators and the regulatory bodies
• Licencing of new NPPs and oversight during construction
• Considerations for nuclear power programmes in expanding countries
• Establishing key organizations (Regulatory Body and Owner/Operator) for the construction phase of NPPs.
• Infrastructure considerations (siting, environmental protection, HRD, waste management and nuclear fuel, etc.,) and preparatory work in a nuclear power project
• Establishing key organizations (Regulatory Body and Owner/Operator) for a nuclear power programme and their evolution throughout the phases.
• Specific infrastructure considerations for owners and operating organizations: managing the growth and change of the organization throughout the phases;
• Specific infrastructure considerations for regulatory bodies: licensing of new NPPs and regulatory oversight during construction;
• Infrastructure considerations for the deployment of small and medium sized or modular reactors (SMR), including economic and cost appraisal, applicability of IAEA safety Standards to SMR, licensing, siting, localizations, challenges, etc.
• IAEA support and international cooperation including INIR missions; and
• Follow-ups on self-assessment tools, documents and E-learning modules 

The meeting will also include a global outlook on nuclear power and updates on the status of nuclear infrastructure development activities in embarking countries, including developments in different infrastructure issues, such as legal and regulatory frameworks, management, radioactive waste and spent fuel management, and environmental protection.

The meeting will also be used to receive participants’ feedback on the draft documents that are developed by the IAEA in the area of infrastructure development.

As one of the main objectives of the meeting is the exchange of information among participants, in particular among those embarking on nuclear power for the first time or expanding their nuclear power programme, participants are expected to prepare and submit a report on the status of nuclear power infrastructure and project(s) in their countries. The participants from some Member States will be selected to present their reports during the meeting. A sample of the report format will be sent to the candidates selected to participate in the meeting.