The Global Commercial Nuclear Industry is Changing - 2019

Nuclear Power Industry

The World Association of Nuclear Operators, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Electric Power Research Institute have published a joint industry white paper outlining the challenges faced by new nuclear power units and entrants to the industry. WANO said the paper explains how the three organisations help operators and entrant countries to ensure that new units start up safely and on time. Entitled ‘Nuclear Industry New Build/New Entrants,’ it is the first white paper to be published collaboratively by the three organisations.

Globally, the commercial nuclear industry is experiencing significant change. Units in North America and much of Western Europe are nearing the end of their operating lifetimes while rapid expansion is occurring in nuclear fleets in China, India and other countries and areas. At the same time, new operating organisations are starting up units in existing regulatory frameworks, mature operating organisations are adding new units to established fleets, while newcomer countries are seeking to add nuclear to their national energy mix for the first time.

It says reactors constructed in the latter part of the 20th century are approaching the end of their originally anticipated lives, while rapid expansion is being seen elsewhere with many new units under construction. The speed of the industry’s expansion, particularly into countries that are exploring nuclear as an option for their energy mix for the first time, presents unique challenges to regulators, operators and other stakeholders, WANO said.

In the white paper, WANO, the IAEA and EPRI set out their expertise and services in supporting a variety of different types of new units and entrants to the nuclear industry. To ensure that new units operate safely and reliably, WANO offers a new unit assistance service, which offers “bespoke and focused support” to members during the transition from project phase to operating phase.