R and D background for life management in Hungary

Plant Life Management is the most important task for the TSO organizations in Hungary for the following years. NPP Paks has decided to extend the lifetime to 50 years operation. Four VVER-440/V213 units are in operation a Paks, and they produce 40% of nation electricity. The nuclear electricity is not only contributing the country to keep the release of the polluting gases low, but one of the cheapest too. Several institutes and universities are working on the life extension program. The life barriers of the Paks units are: the embrittlement of the RPV-s and the corrosion of the steam generator pipes. Both barriers allow the planned 50 years operation without the reduction of safety in case of using correct mitigation actions. This paper introduces the R and D efforts for Life Management of the RPV-s. (author)