Safety review of nuclear power plants in developing countries

By 1990 large commercial nuclear power plants will be in operation in almost 40 countries, of which more than half are presently considered industrially less developed. Ambitious nuclear programmes coupled frequently with minimal and understaffed regulatory and utility organizations are only one aspect of the difficulties related to the safety of nuclear plants that face these developing countries. Inherent problems of meeting current and evolving safety standards and requirements for the significantly non-standard nuclear power plants being imported can be compounded by financial considerations that may lead to purchases of reactors of various types, from more than one supplier country, and involving different safety standards and requirements. An examination of these issues points to the necessity for effective action which could include provision for adequate funding for safety considerations in the purchase contract and for sufficient regulatory assistance and training from the developed countries so that an adequate safety review can be accomplished