The global fleet of nuclear reactors is slowly ageing—today, more than two-thirds of the world’s 450 operational nuclear power reactors are more than 30 years old. Many IAEA Member States are considering extending the operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) beyond their licensed operating lifespans, mainly for energy security, economic and environmental reasons. To support their consideration of new plant life management strategies, and to ensure that the long term operation of nuclear power plants remains safe and sustainable, the IAEA organized an interregional visit to nuclear power facilities in Beijing and Fuqing, China, from 22 to 26 April.
Organized under the framework of a regional technical cooperation project[1], the event brought together 27 senior managers, regulators and operators of nuclear power programmes from Europe, Africa, and Asia and the Pacific to focus on good practices in China’s nuclear power programme.
The capacity building event centred on a comprehensive itinerary of visits to the regulatory body, policy-making organs and operators of China’s nuclear power programme. Participants learned about the factors that have influenced China’s nuclear power experience, as well as the country’s long term strategies and benchmarking processes.
