BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold a Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) in Uzbekistan later this year, the IAEA official told Trend.
The official noted that Uzbekistan is among some 30 so-called newcomer countries that are considering, planning for, or introducing nuclear power.
“At the request of Uzbekistan’s Government, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the country’s Nuclear Energy Development Agency Uzatom held a workshop in Tashkent in February 2019 on siting and site evaluation for nuclear power plants,” the official said.
The official noted that the IAEA supports Uzbekistan in building human resources capacity and developing a national nuclear infrastructure for a nuclear power program.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the IAEA was able to hold one national workshop on the licensing process for nuclear power plants and one on electrical grid expansion and reliability virtually in 2020,” they said.
Official added that in June 2021, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts conducted a 12-day Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission to Uzbekistan at the Government’s invitation.
“Upon request by Uzbekistan, the IAEA continues to support Uzbekistan in building its national nuclear infrastructure for a first nuclear power plant through various activities. A Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) is planned for later this year. Furthermore, the IAEA will provide training and assistance, for example, on licensing processes for nuclear power plants, nuclear knowledge management, human resources, and economics and finance,” the official added.