Regulation & Safety

Regulation & Safety
ASN allows longer use of Flamanville EPR vessel head

ASN allows longer use of Flamanville EPR vessel head

France's nuclear safety regulator, the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire, has made a draft decision to allow EDF to use the current reactor vessel head of the Flamanville 3 EPR until the end of the reactor's first operating cycle. The regulator earlier ruled that the utility must replace the vessel head by the end of 2024.

Regulation & Safety 15 March 2023


US NRC accepts Monticello subsequent licence renewal application

US NRC accepts Monticello subsequent licence renewal application

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted for review Northern States Power Company-Minnesota's application for subsequent licence renewal for the Monticello plant. The regulator is also moving forward with revisions to its rule on the environmental considerations behind such renewals.

Regulation & Safety 13 March 2023


IAEA sees enhanced safety at Belgian research reactor

IAEA sees enhanced safety at Belgian research reactor

Belgium has strengthened safety at its BR2 research reactor by improving training, maintenance, ageing management and the safety of experiments, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts. The team also found the need for further safety enhancements to the reactor's organisational structure and operating rules and procedures.

Regulation & Safety 13 March 2023


Energoatom says off-site power restored to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Energoatom says off-site power restored to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

External power has been restored to Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia. The loss of external power, which meant 10 hours spent relying on emergency diesel generators for essential safety functions, followed missile strikes on Ukraine. The International Atomic Energy Agency's director general warned that action is needed or "one day our luck will run out".

Regulation & Safety 09 March 2023


Differences over Zaporizhzhia safety zone prospects

Differences over Zaporizhzhia safety zone prospects

A senior Russian diplomat says that talks on a security zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant "are losing momentum" while Ukraine's energy minister says that diplomatic steps to return it to Ukraine have "reached a dead end".

Regulation & Safety 07 March 2023


Iran, IAEA in monitoring breakthrough

Iran, IAEA in monitoring breakthrough

Iran has agreed to enhanced cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency as it carries out its verification and monitoring activities, including the reinstallation of monitoring cameras, following a visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to the Islamic Republic.

Regulation & Safety 06 March 2023


Regulatory progress for continued operation of Diablo Canyon

Regulatory progress for continued operation of Diablo Canyon

Days after California's energy commission agreed that continued operation of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant until at least 2030 was necessary, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted an exemption allowing the two units to continue operating while the agency considers Pacific Gas & Electric Co's application to renew the plant's licence.

Regulation & Safety 03 March 2023


Delayed rotation of IAEA experts at Zaporizhzhia takes place

Delayed rotation of IAEA experts at Zaporizhzhia takes place

The changeover of International Atomic Energy Agency staff at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has taken place, following a month-long delay, with the experts having to make part of the journey across the frontline by foot.

Regulation & Safety 03 March 2023


South Korea's APR1000 certified for European use by EUR

South Korea's APR1000 certified for European use by EUR

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's APR1000 reactor design has been formally certified as compliant by the European Utility Requirements organisation - a technical advisory group for European utilities on nuclear power plants.

Regulation & Safety 02 March 2023


IAEA to continue Zaporizhzhia safety zone efforts as war enters second year

IAEA to continue Zaporizhzhia safety zone efforts as war enters second year

International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said the agency will do all it can to ensure nuclear safety, as it publishes a report covering the events of the past year called Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine.

Regulation & Safety 24 February 2023