Parliamentarians and other senior decision-makers from nine countries have gained an insight into both the policy considerations and the science which underpin nuclear power production thanks to an intensive ten-day scientific visit organized through the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme[1].
Held from 11 to 20 November, the Interregional Scientific Visit for Decision-Makers on Comprehensive Introduction to Nuclear Power was organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the Government of the United States through the Program for International Nuclear Energy of the Texas A&M University System.
Participants came from Ghana, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Zambia.
The programme of the visit provided a broad overview of the fundamentals of nuclear power and nuclear policy issues to participants from countries considering, planning or already launching a nuclear power programme. These fundamentals include not only the processes and key steps which lead to the establishment of the safe and sustainable use of nuclear power, but also the various roles and responsibilities of national institutions as well as the technical studies needed to make informed government decisions. To clearly delineate both the benefits of nuclear power as well as the technical obstacles which might delay its introduction, participants had the opportunity to learn from the experience of policy makers in United States, which operates 98 commercial nuclear reactors, accounting for approximately 20% of its electricity production.
Some of the questions addressed by lecturers from Texas A&M and the IAEA included: What key policies and oversight measures must be established to ensure the safety and sustainability of a power programme? Which national institutions should be involved in the decision-making process towards the construction and commissioning of a nuclear power plant? What financing and procurement options exist for Member States which are considering the introduction of nuclear power?
