IAEA Concludes Safety Review at Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant in Sweden
2017/67
Oskarshamn Sweden
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts
today completed a review of long-term operational safety at the
Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Unit 3 in Sweden.
The Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation (SALTO) review mission was requested by the plant operator, OKG. The 11-member team, which began its review on 28 November, focused on aspects essential to the safe Long-Term Operation (LTO) of Unit 3, which was put in commercial operation in 1985 with a design life of 40 years. The plant operator is making preparations to extend the operating lifetime to 60 years. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) requires a Periodic Safety Review (PSR) to be performed every 10 years.
The SALTO team – comprised of experts from Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, India, the Netherlands and the IAEA – reviewed the plant’s organization and programmes related to LTO, including human resources and knowledge management. The findings of SALTO missions are based on IAEA safety standards.
The IAEA team observed that the plant has made progress in the field of ageing management and initiated many activities to prepare for safe LTO. It also made several recommendations and suggestions for further enhancements based on IAEA safety standards. The plant’s LTO project includes several topics recommended by the IAEA safety standards.
The team identified several good performances that will be shared with the nuclear industry globally, including:
The team provided a draft report to the plant management. The plant and SSM will have an opportunity to make factual comments on the draft. A final report will be submitted to the plant, SSM and the Swedish Government within three months.
Background
General information about SALTO missions can be found on the IAEA Website. A SALTO peer review is a comprehensive safety review addressing strategy and key elements for the safe long term operation of nuclear power plants. They complement OSART missions, which are designed as a review of programmes and activities essential to operational safety. Both SALTO and OSART reviews are not regulatory inspections, nor are they design reviews or substitutes for an exhaustive assessment of a plant's overall safety status.
The Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation (SALTO) review mission was requested by the plant operator, OKG. The 11-member team, which began its review on 28 November, focused on aspects essential to the safe Long-Term Operation (LTO) of Unit 3, which was put in commercial operation in 1985 with a design life of 40 years. The plant operator is making preparations to extend the operating lifetime to 60 years. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) requires a Periodic Safety Review (PSR) to be performed every 10 years.
The SALTO team – comprised of experts from Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, India, the Netherlands and the IAEA – reviewed the plant’s organization and programmes related to LTO, including human resources and knowledge management. The findings of SALTO missions are based on IAEA safety standards.
The IAEA team observed that the plant has made progress in the field of ageing management and initiated many activities to prepare for safe LTO. It also made several recommendations and suggestions for further enhancements based on IAEA safety standards. The plant’s LTO project includes several topics recommended by the IAEA safety standards.
The team identified several good performances that will be shared with the nuclear industry globally, including:
- The plant carries out periodic management reviews of major tasks including ageing management.
- The plant uses a comprehensive in-service inspection management database.
- The plant has a long-term contract for specific electrical spare parts.
- The plant should implement a clear and consistent process to demonstrate preparedness for safe LTO.
- The plant should improve the identification of SSCs (structures, systems and components) within the scope for LTO assessment.
- The plant should ensure that the water chemistry programme effectively manages potential ageing effects during LTO.
The team provided a draft report to the plant management. The plant and SSM will have an opportunity to make factual comments on the draft. A final report will be submitted to the plant, SSM and the Swedish Government within three months.
Background
General information about SALTO missions can be found on the IAEA Website. A SALTO peer review is a comprehensive safety review addressing strategy and key elements for the safe long term operation of nuclear power plants. They complement OSART missions, which are designed as a review of programmes and activities essential to operational safety. Both SALTO and OSART reviews are not regulatory inspections, nor are they design reviews or substitutes for an exhaustive assessment of a plant's overall safety status.
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