Application of IAEA nuclear safety standards to the licensing of Chashma nuclear power plant Unit-2

The theme of the paper is to describe a methodology to validate and verify the IAEA safety standards by applying them to the whole licensing process of the second 325 MW(e) PWR (C2) to be constructed at Chashma, Pakistan. The IAEA safety standards have so far not been used to license a nuclear power plant. A surge in installation of new nuclear power plants is expected in the next decades due to restrictions on the emission of greenhouse gases, increased electricity demands, closure of coalfields, regulatory approval of new designs of nuclear power plants in the USA, economic competitiveness of existing plants, etc. Therefore, there is a need for internationally accepted nuclear safety standards. Before describing the methodology proposed by PNRA to achieve this aim, as a prelude, the rule making procedure and history of applying IAEA safety standards in Pakistan is briefly discussed. Pakistan has been applying the deterministic approach instead of reference plant approach for licensing of its nuclear power plants imported from China. The importance of a complete regulatory pyramid has been discussed and our experience of setting up such a regulatory pyramid has been highlighted. In addition, our experience of applying IAEA safety standards in conjunction with other standards to licensing of C1 has been described. The advantages and disadvantages of applying IAEA safety standards for licensing and some significant improvements needed in light of our experience have been identified. In view of the long history of cooperation between China and Pakistan in general, and particularly between regulatory bodies of the two countries, this validation and verification exercise can be put to mutual benefit. The international nuclear community can share the benefits and consequently, in the near future, IAEA safety standards may be used for licensing of imported nuclear power plants, especially when both the exporter and importer are developing countries. It would be the culmination point of the IAEA Nuclear Safety Standards Programme without assigning a nuclear regulatory role to the IAEA. In the end, the pilot project proposed by PNRA, including prerequisites, specific areas where assistance from the IAEA would be needed, has been presented. (author)