IAEA Meeting Focuses On Safe Nuclear Waste Management Technologies

From Caroline Jackson VIENNA, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is hosting the 58th Regular Session of IAEA General Conference 2014 here, is working closely with 33 countries which are considering, planning or starting nuclear power programmes. IAEA director-general Yukiya Amano said there were existing technologies to address the issue of radioactive wastes, especially those which had nuclear power programmes despite widespread misunderstanding on the feasibility of its disposal. "Our latest projections show continued growth in the use of nuclear power by 2030, although growth is likely to be slower than we expected before the Fukushima Daiichi accident," he said in his opening remarks at the two-day Scientific Forum entitled, 'Radioactive Waste: Meeting the Challenge' which began here Tuesday. He said 437 nuclear power reactors were currently operating in 30 countries, producing about 11 per cent of global electricity while 70 reactors were under construction, mostly in Asia. Malaysia, which is among 162 IAEA member states, had reportedly said in December, 2010 that it planned to build two nuclear power plants to meet rising energy demand, one by 2021 and the other, a year later. The Malaysian Government is expected to conduct a feasibility study on a proposal to build a nuclear power plant in the country within 10 years. Amano said IAEA was also working with member states on increasing the use of nuclear power reactors in areas such as seawater desalination, district heating and petrochemical applications, which could significantly boost plant efficiency and generate more revenue. "Based on experience and feedback from member states, we are now revising an important Agency document entitled, 'Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power', which has proven to be of great value to many countries," he told delegates at the forum. "I have seen concrete improvements in safety features at every nuclear power plant I have visited since the Fukushima Daiichi accident," he said, adding that progress continued to be made in improving nuclear safety worldwide. On the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, he said, the focus was on helping Japan respond to the crisis and ensuring that necessary lessons were learned, and acted upon, everywhere, with an important report on the incident to be published at next year's general conference. However, Amano said nuclear safety was not simply about guarding against severe natural hazards as in the coming years, IAEA had to look at the safety aspects of other important issues. These include decommissioning old facilities, extending the operating life of existing nuclear power plants, disposing of high-level radioactive wastes, and developing innovative technologies such as fast reactors and new, small and medium-sized reactors. Amano said in his visits to member states worldwide, he had become more and more convinced of the vital importance of science and technology for sustainable development. Nuclear science and technology have much to contribute to the achievement of development goals in areas such as human health, agriculture, water management and industrial applications, as well as in energy. "It is up to each country using nuclear technology to ensure the safe management and disposal of wastes. But countries can benefit greatly from each other's experiences," he said, adding that providing a forum for exchanges of experience and best practice was one of IAEA's key roles. A unique feature of IAEA, and a key element of its special contribution to development, is the cluster of nuclear application laboratories in Seibersdorf, near Vienna - which offers training in nuclear applications to scientists in member states; supports research in human health, food and other areas; and, provides analytical services to national laboratories. -- BERNAMA