2 May (NucNet): Poland has made significant progress in the development of its regulatory framework in preparation for the challenge of regulating nuclear power, a mission of nuclear safety experts has said.
In its preliminary report following a two-week International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to review the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in Poland, the agency’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission team said that Poland's nuclear regulator, Państwowa Agencja Atomistyki (PAA), has “a clear commitment to safety”.
The report noted “a high level of transparency, competent staff and leadership, and a good recognition of challenges ahead” related to Poland's efforts to develop nuclear power.
It said Poland’s regulatory framework and the work of the PAA give “high confidence” of strong radiation protection for the Polish people.
The mission was carried out at the request of the government of Poland from 15-25 April 2013. The team was made up of 11 regulatory experts from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, South Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and the US, as well as five IAEA staff members.
The team interviewed members of PAA and officials from various ministries, as well as key players in the Polish safety framework. Such IRRS missions are peer reviews based on IAEA safety standards, not inspections or audits.
The IRRS team made several recommendations and suggestions for the PAA as it grows in the next few years, facing challenges and increasing demands as its nuclear power programme expands.
The team said the PAA must address its growth, additional responsibilities, and the retirement of many senior managers, and maintain its strong focus on safety for regulated facilities and activities.
It called on the PAA to consider strengthening and documenting its management systems, and to “develop and strengthen” internal guidance to document authorisation processes, review, assessment and inspection procedures.
IRRS missions are designed to improve the effectiveness of a country’s national nuclear regulatory infrastructure, the IAEA said.
In September 2012, four Polish state-controlled companies signed a letter of intent to work together to build the country’s first nuclear plant.
State-controlled utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) said it had shortlisted the northern Polish towns of Choczewo, Gaski and Zarnowiec as possible sites. The towns are all on the Baltic Sea coast.
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk has said Poland’s aim is to have its first nuclear reactor unit online by 2020 followed by a second unit some five years later.
Mr Tusk said PGE would oversee construction of the first plant as part of a wider push for energy diversification.
The Polish government has held talks on developing nuclear with several countries including France, the US, Canada, South Korea and Japan.
PGE said earlier this year that it will choose the final location and select the technology in 2013.
The company has already signed agreements with GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Westinghouse Electric Company and Areva to study their solutions.
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