UN Aids Countries Pursuing Nuclear Power

UN Atomic Agency Aids Countries Pursuing Nuclear Power

The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has advised nations aspiring to use nuclear power to adopt a comprehensive approach – getting governments, the private sector and schools on board – to guarantee safety.

“This ensures that they have a secure, effective, safeguarded programme by the time they actually get to putting out a bid for a nuclear power plant,” said Anne Starz, Scientific Secretary in IAEA’s Nuclear Power Engineering Section.

Bringing a nuclear power programme online entails a commitment of at least 100 years, the experts said at a three-day IAEA technical meeting in Vienna, Austria.

Ms. Starz said that a country’s planning phase, before it invites vendors to compete to supply a power plant, will take between 10-15 years, with an additional 5-7 years for the plant to come online.

The IAEA helps newcomers to nuclear power by providing standards, guidance, reviews and assistance.

Over 100 participants from 40 countries in various stages of the nuclear power process are taking part in the Vienna meeting, scheduled to wrap up tomorrow.

ENDS

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