ASN IRSN contribution in European Union 'Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation' projects The case of Egypt

摘要

A number of countries which do not currently possess nuclear energy have manifested their interest in building nuclear power plants. The European Union, and specifically France, with a mature nuclear industry, has the capacity to cooperate with these newcomers in order to ensure that all nuclear activity is conducted in line with the highest standards of nuclear safety and security. Having this objective in mind, the European Union set up instruments for cooperation with Eastern European countries postulating to enter the Union (PHARE) and nuclear safety technical assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS). Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation Instrument (INSC) is the follow-up of TACIS now extended to most third countries. The objective of this new instrument is to promote a high level of nuclear safety, radiation protection and the application of efficient and effective safeguards of nuclear materials. Egypt is one of the first countries to benefit from this new type of project. Egypt has already research reactors and plans to operate its first nuclear power plant before 2020. After a formal reciprocal agreement between Egypt and European Commission the French regulatory body, ASN, was highly involved in the preparatory phase of this project that consisted in the evaluation of the needs of the Egypt Nuclear Regulatory Authority and the way to fulfill them. In the implementation phase of the project managed by RISKAUDIT IRSN/GRS International, ASN has participated in the technical leadership and preparation of a strategy plan, action plan and multi-annual cooperation plan with European Commission. The ASN technical support organization, IRSN, has, among other activities, taken the task leadership for strengthening and enhancing professional knowledge of the Egyptian experts in review of site evaluation. The main duty is to assist them in the evaluation of the nuclear safety issues of potential sites for nuclear plant construction.