Experience in self-evaluation of the national Nuclear Infrastructure in Poland

Vienna, 8 – 11 February 2011

Tomasz NowackiNuclear Energy DepartmentMinistry of Economy

Michał KocNational Atomic Energy Agency

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

1. National positionStatus:Government Resolution of 13th January 2009- 2 NPPs to be built by the PGE (state-owned company), after prior

preparation and governmental approval of the Nuclear Power Programme for Poland (NPPP)

Government Ordinance of 15 May 2009- Creation of NEPIO – Government Commissioner for Polish Nuclear

Power, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy supported by the Nuclear Energy Department

- NEPIO main tasks – preparation of NPPP and, development of new laws in the field of NP

Evaluation:Predecision taken, final decision after approval of the NPPP in the mid of

2011. Experience:To prepare the ground for the final decision it is crucial to devote significant

resources even if the decision on the NP implementation could be negative.

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

2. Nuclear safety

Status:Long time existing RB already in place with good

understanding of safety culture (experience from construction of Żarnowiec NPP abandoned1990, operation of two research reactors and non-power applications) able to provide other stakeholders with necessary knowledge.

Evaluation:1st phase requirements fullfilled in this issue.Experience:An existing RB is an advantage.

3. Management

Status:Government Commissioner, having a direct control over NE

Department, reports to the government through the Minister of Economy, at the same time has special competences to act independently in order to prepare the NPPP.

Evaluation:Initial management system established.Experience:Consolidated structure and independent character of NEPIO ensures

efficient management. NEPIO should be placed high in the administrative structure to have access to the top decision makers but placing it in the highest levels of the government should be avoided. Its character should be of expert nature rather than political.

4. Funding and financing

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:NEPIO created from existing resources, no additional funding available

in the present phase. Funding and financing for the implementation of the NP and their sources are included in the NPPP (to be approved in the mid of 2011). NEPIO evolvement into a separated organization dedicated only for the purpose of NP development foreseen in the NPPP and in the drafts of the new laws.

Evaluation:Present structure of the NEPIO is not sufficient in comparison with

established goals. Experience:Appropriate NEPIO funding should be in place from the beginning of

phase 1 even if the decision on the implementation of the NP could be negative. Every decision should be taken after serious considerations which requires an adequate amount of financial resources invested in preparations for the decision making.

5. Legislative framework

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:All international legal instruments already implemented to the domestic

legal system before staring preparation of NPPP.All necessary drafts of new laws are ready (the amendment of the

Atomic Law and the Law on Preparation and Realization of Investments in Nuclear Power Facilities). The new laws are aimed to be in force in the mid of 2011.

Evaluation:Goals of the second phase will be achieved simultaneously with the 1st

Milestone. Experience:Adhering to international legal instruments should be done

independently from considerations on implementing of the NP.Creation of a special law establishing specific procedures for

investments in nuclear capacities can reduce financial risks and facilitate significantly the construction of NPPs.

Preparation of legislation together with preparation of the national NP Programme can speed up the second phase.

6. Safeguards

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Comprehensive safeguard agreement and additional protocol in force.

SSAC established. Integrated Euratom safeguards established.Evaluation:No action needed.Experience:Safeguards requirements implemented independently from

considerations on implementing of the NP.

7. Regulatory framework

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Regulatory framework for research reactors, non-power applications,

waste management and transport of radioactive material established well before.

Development plan of the RB has been prepared by the themselves. Funding availability depends on the NPPP approval.

Evaluation:No NEPIO action needed. The existing RB is able to make the self

evaluation process on its own.Experience:Existing framework states a good basis for future development.Self evaluation made by the RB is the best possible solution for

identification of needs for the further development.Experience from the past NP activities and cooperation with RBs from

nuclear countries (selected neighbour countries) is helpful in needs identification.

Significant additional funding for RB definitely required already in phase1.

8. Radiation protection

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Full awareness of radiation hazards.Legal system of radiological protection established well before and

regularly improved.Evaluation:No action needed. Experience:Creation of radiation protection system should be made independently

from considerations on implementing of the NP.In Polish case European Union membership helps in establishing of

high radiation protection standards. Poland’s obligation is to comply with the EU law in this area (regulations and directives).

9. Electrical grid

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Preliminary assessment of the grid capacity and condition for the

purpose of NP implementation done by the grid operator (PSE) –6000 MW of new installed capacity planned.

Evaluation:Grid not ready for connecting of new electricity generation capacity.

Huge actions needed. Experience:Strong cooperation of NEPIO with the grid operator and potential

investor recommended well in advance.

10. Human resources development

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Necessary knowledge and skills identified (in general). No detailed

HRD plan.Lack of appropriate teaching staff and specializations on the

universities and institutes.Every involved institution has its own policy regarding HRD.Evaluation:Huge work still to do. Detailed HRD masterplan required covering all

needs of the future operator and the governmental bodies. Existing university infrastructure allows to create required specialization (but it takes time).

Experience:Reconstruction of required educational staff is crucial for smooth

programme implementation.Strong cooperation between involved institutions supported by a stable

and firm leadership (and coordinative role) by NEPIO needed.

11. Stakeholder involvement

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Direct involvement of NEPIO, RB, investor (PGE), local authorities.Informational and educational campaign on national and local levels is

being prepared. Funding is available (5,5 million USD for 4 years).Special tools devoted to public information and participation in taking

decisions on constructing of NPPs are foreseen in the drafts of the new laws.

Evaluation:Appropriate actions prepared.Experience:Lack of experience in this area. First experiences can be gained after

the educational and informational campaign is launched.

12. Site and supporting facilities

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:28 possible NPP sites declared by the local authorities (According to

NEPIO request). Preliminary ranking of the proposed sites elaborated. Evaluation of the proposed sites done using IAEA siting requirements.

3 best sites chosen by the investor for further investigation. Evaluation:Siting process in progress. No action required in this phase.Experience:Engaging of local authorities in declaring sites recommended.

13. Environment protection

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Awareness of potential hazards to the environment.Clearly defined roles of the main actors (RB, Ministry of Environment

with the General Directorate for Environmental Protection).Sound legal framework in place. Environmental Impact Assessment of the NPPP is being prepared.Evaluation:EIA in progress. No further action required (and possible) in this phase.Experience:In Polish case European Union membership helps in establishing of

high standards of environmental protection. Poland’s obligation is to comply with the EU law in this area (regulations and directives).

Good cooperation between NEPIO and environmental protection authorities is recommended.

14. Emergency planning

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:International legal instruments (Early Notification and Assistance

Conventions) are ratified and implemented well before.Emergency center placed within the RB.National plan for emergency preparedness in place.Emergency plans on the all levels (country, province and facility level)

exist and are regularly tested.Evaluation:No further action in current stage needed. Establishing of a emergency

preparedness plan and capabilities for every single nuclear facility as an obligation of the operator will be necessary in later stage.

Experience:International legal instruments should be implemented into domestic

legal system independently from considerations on implementing of the NP.

15. Security and physical protection

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:International legal instrument (CPPNM) ratified and implemented into

domestic legal system well before.Security culture exists due to experiences with the operation of

research reactors and transport of fresh and spent fuel.Evaluation:No further action needed. Experience:International legal instruments should be implemented into domestic

legal system independently from considerations on implementing of the NP.

Even limited existing nuclear infrastructure (research units, fuel transportation) creates a good basis for the understanding of the relevance of security and PP issues for the nuclear power.

16. Nuclear fuel cycle

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:No official chosen option.Fuel will be imported – no domestic resources known.Evaluation:Identification of domestic resources needed.Experience:No relevant experience in that area (only with research reactors).

17. Radioactive waste

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:The burdens of RW from NPPs recognized by the NEPIO.Joint Convention ratified and implemented into domestic legal system

well before.Existing infrastructure includes Radioactive Waste Management Plant

(RWMP), research reactor spent fuel storages and low and intermediate level RW disposal site (from non-power application. New low and intermediate level RW disposal site planned. No need to have solutions for ultimate disposal of high level RW – spent fuel from research reactors returns to the producer (Russia).

Working group on RW management strategic plan for nuclear power (with defining options for ultimate disposal of high level RW) including experts from NEPIO, RB, RWMP, Ministry of Environment, universities and institutes.

Evaluation:Existing infrastructure enable further developments. Need for

establishing of a national strategy for RW management. Experience:Early defined national strategy for RW management helps in assessing

overall costs of NP implementation.

18. Industrial involvement

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Some polish companies already take part in building of NPPs in Europe

(deliveries of conventional island components and construction works).

Establishing of a effective system supporting the involvement of domestic industry is foreseen in the NPPP draft.

No actions have been performed so far.Evaluation:There is a need for establishing a plan of potential industrial and local

suppliers involvement preceded by an appropriate survey.Experience:No experience.

19. Procurement

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Status:Procurement lies within the responsibility of the investor (PGE).No action has been taken so far.Expected start of the bidding process planned by the PGE for the

second half of the year 2011.Evaluation:No basis for evaluating.Experience:No experience.

N u c l e a r E n e r g y

E v o l u t i o n i n p r o g r e s s

Competition for poster advertising the issue ofpublic acceptance for nuclear power in Poland

(Cracow, 27.04 – 14.05.2006)

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY