Development of Nuclear Power Plant Licensing Process for NNRA.

Abstract

THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT LICENSING PROCESS FOR NNRA Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) was created in 1976 in principle by an Act No.46 as a specialized agency to promote and streamline the application of nuclear energy. In 1978–Two Nuclear Centres of Research were established and were based in two separate universities. The only research reactor is located at one of the centre. Then 1995 an act to establish the national regulatory body was established and in 2001 the regulatory body; Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was established.

The objective of this report is to provide information on key technical considerations and activities relating to the regulatory body’s development of regulatory review process for NPP Siting and Construction Permits. To develop NPP Licensing Process for Nigerian Regulatory body, it takes into account approaches, practices and experiences of some selected matured regulatory bodies in the world. Information required in support of the application to construct a nuclear power plant: description of the proposed design for the nuclear power plant, taking into consideration the physical and environmental characteristics of the site, environmental base line data on the site and surrounding area, information on the potential releases of nuclear substances and hazardous materials, and proposed measures to control them. Programs and schedules for recruiting and training operations and maintenance staff.

It further discuss the review and assessment plan which is the regulatory body shall prepare its own programme of review and assessment of the facilities and activities under scrutiny, The regulatory body shall follow the development of a facility or activity, as applicable, from initial selection of the site, through design, construction, commissioning and operation, to decommissioning, closure or closeout.

The seminar talked about five countries licensing process namely licensing process in Korea Republic, licensing process in United State, licensing process in Finland, licensing process in Canada and licensing in France in which the Nigerian regulatory body adopt the Canadian licensing process and certain requirements were adopted from licensing in Korea too. This report provides information on key technical considerations and activities relating to the regulatory body’s development of regulatory review process for nuclear power plant from siting to operation. It further highlighted the requirements to be considered by the Regulatory Body in review, assessment and inspection of licensee’s application for the various licensing stage from siting to operation and licensing process for Nigeria was adopted based on comparison and analysis of selected countries.

The seminar recommended that requirements for application for a new license should be developed and published; regulations for licensing process of nuclear installation should be developed. The use of regulatory guide and regulatory inspection manual should be developed.

Seminar presented by Umar Sadiq Dantala