Technical Meeting on Establishing a National Position for New

Technical Meeting on Establishing a National
Position for New Nuclear Power Programmes and
the Pre-Feasibility Studies
Vienna, Austria
October 27-30, 2015
Ref. No: 621- I5-TM-49569
Information Sheet
A. Background
Embarking on a new nuclear power programme is a major undertaking that requires careful planning,
preparation and investment. The development and implementation of the appropriate infrastructure to
support the successful introduction of nuclear power is an important issue for Member States of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As described in the IAEA developed Milestones in the
Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NGG-3.1, Vienna, 2007), a national position is central to the successful implementation of a nuclear
power programme.
In order to be in the position to make a “knowledgeable decision” about whether to introduce a nuclear
power programme, a Member State may undertake the development of a pre-feasibility study (PFS),
which may study a variety of issues, including, inter alia:
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Results of the relevant energy planning studies;
A macro-economic study on the impact of introducing a nuclear power programme;
Considerations of nuclear safety, including the recognition of the non-zero possibility of a
severe accident;
An initial analysis of the domestic and international legal requirements and agreements
required to proceed;
A preliminary evaluation of the suitable sites capable of hosting a nuclear power plant;
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An estimation of the government funding necessary to support the development of the
appropriate infrastructure, especially regulatory oversight;
An initial strategy for the development of the necessary human resources;
An acknowledgement of the responsibilities related to decommissioning, management of
spent fuel and nuclear waste and environmental remediation; and,
An evaluation of public opinion and considerations related to stakeholder involvement.
The results of this analysis may then be provided to the Government to provide the information
necessary to inform its officials about whether to proceed with the introduction of nuclear power.
B. Objectives
The main purpose of the meeting is to identify and discuss challenges and best practices related to the
development of a national position, and the content and role of a PFS in this process. The IAEA has
developed a new guidance document on this issue, which will be shared to the participants in advance
of the meeting. The meeting will include breakout sessions dedicated to specific issues, such as:
Energy planning and analysis;
Different approaches to the development of a PFS;
Revisiting a PFS to re-establish a national position; and,
Communicating a national decision to stakeholders.
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The meeting will also provide an opportunity for the exchange of information among countries as well
as learning the lessons from case studies and from existing nuclear power programmes.
C. Participation
Participation in the meeting is open to qualified representatives from all countries that are planning to
embark on, or expand their, nuclear power programmes. Prospective participants should be actively
involved in the development of the necessary national nuclear infrastructure. These individuals should
be directly involved in the decision-making progress about the development of a nuclear power
programme in their respective countries.
D. Topics and Format of the Meeting
This meeting is an opportunity for the exchange of specific information, experiences, good practices,
lessons learned, and practical examples of the development of a national position for a new nuclear
power programme. The meeting will:
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Provide an opportunity to exchange information on good practices, current experiences, and
case studies;
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Allow participants to further improve their knowledge of the associated issues; and
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Offer a forum to discuss challenges, concerns and issues arising from the specific
infrastructure implementation issues and the potential means of resolving those issues.
The meeting will consist of lectures by external experts, IAEA staff, and participants from experienced
countries; case studies; and working group sessions. There will be discussion periods after each issue
has been presented in order to adequately address questions from all participants. Representatives of
selected participating countries will be asked to give a presentation on their national activities
following a template to be provided.
E. Working Language
The working language of the meeting will be English. No interpretation will be provided.
F. Administrative and Financial Arrangements
Designating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and
will at that time be given full details on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative
and financial matters.
The costs of the meeting are borne by the IAEA; no registration fee is charged to participants. Travel
and subsistence expenses of participants will not be borne by the IAEA. Limited funds are, however,
available to help cover the cost of participants from certain countries. Such assistance can be offered,
upon specific request, to one or two participants per country provided that, in the IAEA’s view, the
participant(s) will make an important contribution to the meeting and that, where assistance is
requested for two participants, they represent different national organizations. The application for
financial support should be made at the time of designating the participant(s).
The organizers of the meeting do not accept liability for the payment of any cost or compensation that
may arise from damage to or loss of personal property, or from illness, injury, disability or death of a
participant while he/she is travelling to and from or attending the meeting, and it is clearly understood
that each Government, in nominating participants, undertakes responsibility for such coverage.
Governments would be well advised to take out insurance against these risks.
G. Application Procedures
Designations should be submitted on the attached Participation Form. Completed forms should be
endorsed by the competent national authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to
the IAEA, or National Atomic Energy Authority) and returned through the established official
channels. They must be received by the IAEA not later than 13 July 2015. Designations received after
that date or applications sent directly by individuals or by private institutions cannot be considered.
Designating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and
at that time full details will be given on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative
and financial matters.
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For Member States receiving technical cooperation assistance, applications for financial support
should be made at the time of nominating the participant(s).
H. Visas
Designated participants who require visas to enter Austria should submit the necessary application to
the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria as soon as possible.
I.
Local Arrangements
The meeting will be held at the IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, specifically in the IAEA
Press Room, M Building, MOE Floor at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), and will start on
Tuesday, 27 October 2015 at 9.30 a.m. and end on Friday, 30 October 2015 at 1 p.m. Participants
are kindly requested to be at Checkpoint 1/Gate 1 of the VIC at least an hour before the meeting starts
to allow adequate time for photo badges to be issued. Participants should bring some form of personal
identification, such as a national passport, so that they can identify themselves to the Security Officers
at Checkpoint 1.
The agenda for the meeting, together with information on local arrangements, will be sent to
designated participants when the completed Participation Forms have been received.
J.
Organization
Scientific Secretaries:
Mr Matthew Van Sickle
Division of Nuclear Power
Department of Nuclear Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA
AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 23148
Fax: +43 1 2600 29598
Email: M.C.Van-Sickle@iaea.org
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Mr Ahmed Irej Jalal
Division of Nuclear Power
Department of Nuclear Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA
AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22780
Fax: +43 1 2600 29598
Email: A.Jalal@iaea.org
Official correspondence with regard to administrative issues should be addressed to the Administrative
Secretary:
Ms Valentyna Dzyubenko
Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section
Division of Nuclear Power
Department of Nuclear Energy
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA
AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22880
Fax: +43 1 2600 29598
Email: V.Dzyubenko@iaea.org