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Regulation & Safety

Regulation & Safety
IAEA plans technical talks with Iran in April

IAEA plans technical talks with Iran in April

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, today announced a new agreement with Tehran for a face-to-face meeting between technical experts to take place early next month. At a press conference convened at short notice and live-streamed from the IAEA's headquarters in Vienna, Grossi said the aim of the agreement is for the agency and Iran to stop "talking past each other". 

Regulation & Safety 04 March 2021

NEA assesses the cause and impact of Fukushima accident

NEA assesses the cause and impact of Fukushima accident

As work to decommission the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and revitalise the surrounding area continues, there are many ways international communities can learn, assist Japan and support each other, according to a new report from OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. Published today, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the disaster, the report summarises the circumstances of the accident, the current status of the site, and lessons learned. It also considers the challenges that lie ahead and makes policy recommendations.

Regulation & Safety 03 March 2021

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French regulator approves 50-year operation of 900 MWe reactors

Increased rate of water leakage at Fukushima reactors

Nuclear industry must embrace digital age, says NEA's Magwood

IAEA develops drone technology for radiation monitoring

Safety concerns over Koeberg containment refuted

Cofrentes licence extension gets regulatory approval

Lithuania calls for debate on safety of Ostrovets plant

Iran set to restrict IAEA access to nuclear sites

E3, USA reopen door to diplomacy with Iran

Iran says 'time not ripe' for talks on nuclear deal

Iran says 'time not ripe' for talks on nuclear deal

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, says "the time is not ripe" for an unofficial meeting proposed by Josep Borrell, EU foreign affairs chief and coordinator of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. His statement follows Iran's commencement last week of restrictions on some site inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Regulation & Safety 01 March 2021

French regulator approves 50-year operation of 900 MWe reactors

French regulator approves 50-year operation of 900 MWe reactors

France's nuclear safety regulator, the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire, has set the conditions for the continued operation of EDF's 900 MWe reactors beyond 40 years. The regulator said it considers the measures planned by EDF combined with those prescribed by ASN will ensure the safety of the units for a further 10 years of operation.

Regulation & Safety 25 February 2021

IAEA secures 'temporary understanding' with Iran

IAEA secures 'temporary understanding' with Iran

Parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action now have three months within which to navigate the impasse created by a law passed by the Iranian parliament late last year. In a joint statement yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed that Iran will stop the implementation of the voluntary measures as envisaged in the JCPoA from tomorrow, thus enabling the AEOI to comply with the law - Strategic Action to Cease Actions and Protect the Interests of the Iranian Nation.

Regulation & Safety 22 February 2021

Increased rate of water leakage at Fukushima reactors

Increased rate of water leakage at Fukushima reactors

A drop in the water levels in the reactor containment vessels of units 1 and 3 at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan has been detected, Tokyo Electric Power Company has announced. The utility said the decreased levels probably indicate that existing damage to the units' containment vessels has been exacerbated by the recent earthquake that struck the region, allowing more water to leak from them.

Regulation & Safety 22 February 2021

Cofrentes licence extension gets regulatory approval

Cofrentes licence extension gets regulatory approval

The Spanish nuclear regulator has approved the renewal of the operating licence for Iberdrola's Cofrentes nuclear power plant near Valencia until the end of November 2030. The 1064 MWe boiling water reactor, which entered commercial operation in March 1985, is then scheduled to be decommissioned.

Regulation & Safety 19 February 2021

E3, USA reopen door to diplomacy with Iran

E3, USA reopen door to diplomacy with Iran

The E3 - France, Germany and the UK - has welcomed the prospect of a US and Iranian return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The E3 foreign ministers and the US secretary of state held a virtual meeting yesterday to discuss Iran and other pressing issues. It was the second time in this format since Secretary Antony Blinken took office.

Regulation & Safety 19 February 2021

Iran set to restrict IAEA access to nuclear sites

Iran set to restrict IAEA access to nuclear sites

Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it will stop implementing ‘voluntary transparency measures’ under the 2015 nuclear deal. Specifically, Tehran says it will halt snap nuclear inspections outside of its declared sites as of 23 February.

Regulation & Safety 17 February 2021

Safety concerns over Koeberg containment refuted

Safety concerns over Koeberg containment refuted

South African utility Eskom and the National Nuclear Regulator have refuted media reports that the reinforced concrete containment buildings at the Koeberg nuclear power plant have suffered extensive corrosion and would not be able to prevent the release of radiation in the event of a severe accident. They say tests have confirmed the performance of the structures, to which repairs have already been made.

Regulation & Safety 16 February 2021