Nuclear power plant lifetime management strategies - The Spanish approach

Spanish nuclear power plant (NPP) owners are increasingly concerned with optimising Plant Life Management. As a result of this interest, they are setting up Lifetime Management Programmes with the strategic objective to operate the NPPs beyond the 40 years design life (long term operation). In addition, a close link exists between life management work and improved maintenance practices concerning safety, strategic and reliability aspects of NPPs. As result of these important considerations, utilities will increase and globalise programmes for monitoring and mitigation of ageing. Spanish utilities have carried out, under UNESA coordination, a common methodology for NPP lifetime management that is developed through a specific Life Management Programme for each plant. The methodology consists in the following main steps: definition of priorities and scope (SCC selection); identification and analysis of ageing mechanisms; evaluation of current maintenance practices; and, review of operation and maintenance programmes. Also described in the paper is the current Spanish regulatory framework related to the NPP life management. With no defined time limit for the NPP operation, the plant operating license is based on periodical renewals associated with Periodic Safety Reviews (PSR) done in general every ten years. Actually, the Spanish Nuclear Regulatory Authority is working in determining specific aspects of the licensing process to be required for the NPP long term operation. (author)