IAEA/INPRO preliminary study on legal and institutional issues for transportable nuclear power plants - 15479

The IAEA's International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) was established in 2000. INPRO cooperates with Member States to ensure that sustainable nuclear energy is available to help meet the energy needs of the 21. century. INPRO is part of the integrated services of the IAEA provided to Member States considering initial development or expansion of nuclear energy programmes. INPRO study on legal and institutional issues of Transportable Nuclear Power Plants (TNPPs) has been finalized in 2013. A transportable nuclear power plant (TNPP) is a factory-manufactured, movable nuclear power plant, which when fuelled is capable of producing final energy products such as electricity and heat. Transportable nuclear power plants are not designed to operate during transportation. This publication highlights the potential benefits of TNPPs, describes the legal and institutional issues for their deployment in countries other than the country of origin, reveals challenges that might be faced in their deployment, and outlines pathways for resolution of the identified challenges in the short and long terms. It is addressed to senior legal, regulatory and technical officers in Member States planning to embark on, or to expand, a nuclear power programme by considering the introduction of a TNPP. (authors)