BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 7
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a 12-day mission to Uzbekistan to review its development of infrastructure for a nuclear power program, Trend reports citing IAEA.
The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) was carried out at the invitation of the Government of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan, a Central Asian country of 33 million people and a major global uranium supplier, is looking to nuclear power as a low carbon energy source to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost electricity generating capacity.
In 2017 the country signed an intergovernmental agreement with the Russian Federation to construct two VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors to be commissioned by 2030. In 2019 Uzbekistan initiated the process to select a site for its first nuclear power plant (NPP).
The INIR team reviewed the status of nuclear infrastructure development using the Phase 2 criteria of the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, which provides detailed guidance across three phases (consider, prepare, construct) of development. The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan hosted the mission.
The INIR team said the country’s nuclear power program benefits from strong governmental support and shows a clear commitment to safety, security and non-proliferation. The team added that Uzbekistan has made significant progress in NPP project development and taken steps to enhance its legal and regulatory framework and strengthen the regulatory body.
The team made recommendations and suggestions to assist Uzbekistan in preparing to construct its first NPP.
The team highlighted areas where further actions would benefit Uzbekistan, including the need to adhere to international legal instruments to which it is not yet a party, such as the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and its Protocol.
The Government should ensure a consistent and complete national legal framework for nuclear safety and nuclear security by consolidating and strengthening legislation. Uzbekistan also needs to ensure adequate human and financial resources for the nuclear regulatory body. While the country has made significant progress in NPP project development, work remains to be completed on project related studies, environmental assessment procedures, stakeholder engagement activities and construction management capabilities.
The team also identified good practices that would benefit other countries developing nuclear power in the areas of human resources, finance, and nuclear security.