Objectives

In the framework of the “Tacis Nuclear Safety Programme” it was decided to improve the safety of the Aktau NPP (BN-350, fast breeder) in Kazakhstan. For this purpose the European Commission (EC) signed a consulting contract with the company NERSA (100% daughter of EDF). According to this contract NERSA had to provide the EC with the following consulting services:

1. Selecting new safety related projects around and in agreement with the Aktau NPP. Assessing their technical and economic feasibility.
2. Identifying potential qualified suppliers for standard equipment.
3. Issuing of technical specifications for call for tenders on larger equipment deliveries and on-site service works. This also included contract specifications and necessary engineering studies, even on-site.
4. Definition of criteria for bids evaluation and evaluation of bids itself.
5. Propose possible subcontractors to suppliers if needed. If subcontracting became necessary, NERSA provided terms of reference and commercial conditions for the subcontracts and administered them until completion.
6. Follow-up of on-site construction and installation work when a contract was awarded to a supplier. This also included witnessing of acceptance tests and assistance in commissioning of installations. In case of equipment delivery this also included assistance in training of personnel on the usage and operation of the equipment.
7. Checking of invoices from the supplier and awarding a statement of conformity of payment.

On behalf of the EC NERSA administered and followed-up under the above project identifier the following on-site assistance projects for the Aktau NPP:

• Supply of sodium fire protective clothing (R1.07/94A);
• Supply of personnel training equipment (R1.07/94B);
• Supply of equipment for the in-situ repair of safety related valves (R1.07/94F);
• Supply of metallurgical testing equipment (R1.07/95G);
• Spent fuel pool leakage localisation and liner preparation for repairing works (K1.01/96A) and supply of equipment for liner repair (K1.01/96B);
• Emergency batteries replacement (R1.05/95H) and
• Fire risk analysis and fire protection improvement (R1.05/95J)

In addition to the above projects NERSA carried out feasibility studies and issued technical specifications on behalf of the EC on the following planned projects for the Aktau NPP:

• Supply of electromagnetic pumps for emergency core cooling (R1.07/94C) and
• Supply of sodium level indicators (R1.07/94E)

Project Results

The consulting contract with NERSA started on 15th March 1996 and ended on 15th July 1998. Within that contract NERSA administered and followed-up successfully all the above listed on-site assistance and supply projects and/or performed feasibility studies. Final acceptance certificates were awarded to all suppliers of the above projects that involved delivery of equipment and/or installation work, namely R1.07/94A, R1.07/94B, R1.07/94F, R1.07/95G, K1.01/96A, K1.01/96B, R1.05/95H and R1.05/95J (some of these milestones were achieved in the framework of the follow-on on-site assistance contract K1.01/98). For these projects separate, more detailed summaries exist.