22 Feb (NucNet): World Association of Nuclear Operators members voted yesterday to establish a branch office and support centre in Shanghai, China, making it easier for the organisation to provide services to operators in the world’s fastest growing region for commercial nuclear power.
WANO said the rationale for the move is to cater for the dramatic growth in the development of nuclear power plants in both China and across Asia, where around two-thirds of the world’s new reactors are under construction.
With growing demand for its services from operators building new units, WANO will be well-positioned to ensure that these units make a safe and reliable transition from construction to operation, a statement said.
WANO chief executive officer Peter Prozesky said that over the past 30 years China has become a key player in the commercial nuclear sector. “The new office will be developed in line with our ethos. It will be international, independent, technology agnostic and capable of carrying out all WANO functions,” he said.
The first phase of the Shanghai initiative involves setting up a branch office with around 40 staff. It will later become to a support centre, still managed by the London office, but able to start supporting other regional centres. The third and final phase will see WANO convene a meeting for members to vote on establishing the office as a fully-fledged regional centre.
WANO chairman Jacques Régaldo said the new office constitutes one of the most significant changes to WANO since its inception and has the overwhelming support of the organisation’s worldwide membership.
WANO’s Chinese member organisations said in a joint statement that the office will be a significant force in the continuous improvement of safety and reliability. The organisations are China National Nuclear Corporation, China General Nuclear Power Corporation, State Power Investment Corporation and China Huaneng Group Company Ltd
WANO is a not-for-profit organisation that helps its members maximise the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants worldwide. It was established in 1989 by nuclear power operators to exchange safety knowledge and operating experience. The organisation’s members operate some 460 nuclear units in over 30 countries and areas worldwide.
