Development of National Integrated Radioactive Waste Management Infrastructure in Pakistan

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is a sole nuclear facilities operator in the country. The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) is an independent body to regulate all the nuclear facilities. Nuclear technology use is generating radioactive waste in various amounts and forms, from different facilities and activities. The major portion of this waste comes from nuclear power plants (NPPs) having total installed capacity of ~2400 MWe. To meet the energy demand, PAEC is planning to increase the existing installed capacity of nuclear power. Moreover, increase in use of other applications of nuclear technology is foreseen. This will increase generation of radioactive waste. This arises the importance to establish a well-integrated radioactive waste management infrastructure (IRWMI) to minimize the waste at source, maximize recycling– reusing of materials, adopt the modern technologies, and strong cooperation with other stakeholders. An effort to develop an IRWMI in Pakistan enhances the efficiency and sustainability of the national nuclear programme in a systematic manner. Devising this integration requires systemic analysis of all applicable necessities directly or indirectly involved in the development of infrastructure for radioactive waste management. The paper discusses various key factors, including policies and legal framework, safety case, international cooperation, and financial management influencing the core of an IRWMI, a radioactive waste management life cycle. It is a robust system to handle the unforeseen events and future developments efficiently and effectively regarding adding new nuclear facilities and activities, such as decommissioning. The implementation of an IRWMI has benefitted the national nuclear programme by standardizing the entire country's waste management practices while reducing the costs and efforts and build and maintain public confidence on safe solutions for managing all types of radioactive waste. (author)