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: • • • • • 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; Page 2 • • • • 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. • • • • 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: • Provide an opportunity to exchange information on good practices, current experiences, and case studies; • Allow participants to further improve their knowledge of the associated issues; and Page 3 • 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. Page 4 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: [email protected] Page 5 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected]