Objectives

The wider objective was support to Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Committee (KAEC) in addressing regulatory matters related to decommissioning of BN-350 Aktau NPP and enhancing KAEC personnel capabilities in this area as well as enhancing KAEC emergency preparedness.

Project Results

The project consisted of three tasks dealing with areas of waste management, decommissioning and emergency preparedness.

Task 1 consisted of the transfer of knowledge on waste management practices in Germany and France (including management of sodium containing waste) and the assessment of KAEC regulatory guides. Detailed information on licensing activities related to the Superphenix reactor, including the results of the IRSN evaluation of the technical options for the draining of sodium was provided. The comments on the KAEC regulatory text “Safety requirements to radioactive sodium treatment” gave indications for the improvement of existing documents and the development of additional ones. KAEC regulatory documents related to radioactive waste disposal were also reviewed and the western European practice in this area was presented.

Task 2 provided information to KAEC on regulatory procedures implemented in Germany and the United Kingdom (U.K.) for licensing and evaluation of licensing documentation. Emphasis had been on the scope and content of individual types of documents to be submitted and the hierarchical structure of the licensing documentation for decommissioning. A report on the definition of requirements for a decommissioning license submission based on the U.K. practises and adapted to the situation in Kazakhstan was prepared. An application of the western approach to the part of BN-350 decommissioning plan which was dedicated to waste management revealed that changes had to be made in this area.

Task 3 dealt with the area of emergency preparedness including a workshop in which the U.K. practice was presented. A review of present emergency preparedness in Kazakhstan at utility, local and state level was performed. It showed that the emergency arrangements at the Aktau site had very positive points but also that further efforts were needed to integrate KAEC more efficiently into the decision loop in case of an emergency. A report presenting findings and recommendations was prepared, concluding that the new national emergency plan provided clear directions on how to respond to a nuclear emergency. It identified also a need to fully establish the KAEC crisis centre including adequate procedures and equipment.

The project also highlighted the need for further assistance during the licensing stages of BN-350 decommissioning.