The licensing process of Cernavoda NPP interim spent fuel dry storage

The first 12,000 spent fuel bundles capacity of a new modular interim spent fuel dry storage facility is in operation at the Cernavoda NPP site, since May 2003. The facility consists of a preparation station, a shielded transfer flask and a concrete monolith module of the MACSTOR type, a system designed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. The capacity can be extended to accommodate 300 000 spent fuel bundles, which represent the entire production of spent fuel during the lifetime of two CANDU-6 units. The project was implemented by Nuclearelectrica based on the licenses and permits granted by the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) for each step: the siting, construction, commissioning and operation. According to the specific Romanian regulations, the interim dry storage facility is also subject to the licensing process by the Environmental and Public Health authorities. The public involvement has been an important step of the environmental licensing procedure. Cernavoda NPP used different legal procedures for the public debate, including announcements in local and national newspapers and public hearings. No objections against the storage facility have been raised. (author)