Extrabudgetary Programme on Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation of Water Moderated Reactors

The number of Member States giving high priority to extending the operation of nuclear power plants beyond their initial license is increasing. Decisions on long term operation (LTO) involve the consideration of a number of factors. While many of these decisions concern economic viability, all are grounded in the premise of maintaining plant safety. The IAEA recognized this new industry initiative; therefore, in the 1990's, it developed comprehensive generic guidance on how to manage the safety aspects of physical ageing. It was recognized, however, that internationally agreed-upon, comprehensive guidance was needed to assist regulators and operators in dealing with the unique challenges associated with the LTO issue. In response, the IAEA initiated this Extrabudgetary Programme (Programme) on Safety aspects of long term operation of water moderated reactors (original title was Safety aspects of long term operation of pressurized water reactors). The Programme's objective is to establish recommendations on the scope and content of activities to ensure safe long term operation of water moderated reactors. The Programme should assist regulators and operators of water moderated reactors, and, in particular WWERs, in ensuring that the required safety level of their plants is maintained during long term operation, should provide generic tools to support the identification of safety criteria and practices at the national level applicable to LTO, and should provide a forum in which MS can freely exchange information.