A new version of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publication ‘Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power’ is now published and has been revised to address issues related to small modular reactors (SMRs).
The updated document, the IAEA’s foundational guidance on how to prepare to introduce a nuclear power programme or expand an existing nuclear power programme, includes an annex outlining aspects specific to the deployment of SMRs and highlights the recent experience of several countries which have completed or made major progress in all three phases with other reactor types as defined by the IAEA’s Milestones Approach.
The release of this second revision is timely as nuclear power has momentum and is increasingly acknowledged as a necessary element of the net zero transition. A major increase in nuclear power deployments is needed for the world to hit net zero carbon goals by 2050, meaning it must both scale up in existing markets and expand to new ones.
This
new edition of the milestones publication, originally produced in 2007 and revised in 2015, is provided within the context of the IAEA’s other guidance and materials relevant to nuclear power development in areas including nuclear safety, security and safeguards. This publication also incorporates lessons learned from recent Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) missions to countries introducing or expanding nuclear power programmes.
”As the nuclear power landscape continues to evolve, so too must the assistance we provide. This latest update of the IAEA milestones guidance comes at a pivotal moment when an increasing number of countries are considering nuclear power for their energy mix to achieve their net zero pledges,’ said Aline des Cloizeaux, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Power. ‘It is clear that SMRs will be a vital component of the clean energy transition, and we must ensure that countries interested in this technology have a solid understanding of what is needed to successful
ly implement SMR projects.’
Source : Emirates News Agency