IAEA completes long-term operational review of Krško. in Slovenia

A pre-SALTO (Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation) mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has completed a review of the long-term operational safety of the Krško nuclear power plant in Slovenia.

The inspection was requested by the operator of the plant, the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK).

Construction of the Krško power plant began in 1975 and went online in 1981. The only nuclear power plant in Slovenia, Krško, is jointly owned by neighboring Croatia and is equipped with a 696 MWe pressurized water reactor. NEK plans to extend the plant operation until 2043.

Pre-SALTO missions take place before a facility enters long-term operation (LTO). Krško will enter the LTO period in 2023.

During the peer review mission October 4-14, the international team reviewed the plant’s readiness, organization and programs for a safe LTO and found that the plant’s staff are professional, open and receptive to suggestions for improvement.

“We have observed that the operator is making preparations in good time for a safe LTO,” said team leader and IAEA commissioner for nuclear safety, Martin Marchena. “A number of aging management and LTO activities already meet the safety standards of the IAEA. The SALTO team encourages the facility to review the results of the review and progress in implementing any remaining activities for a safe LTO. “

The team of ten – comprised of experts from Belgium, Hungary, Pakistan, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and three IAEA staff – identified best practices and accomplishments that are shared with the nuclear industry worldwide, including:

  • The plant has a well-structured and comprehensive program of proactive and reactive activities for managing the aging of safety-related cables.
  • The plant has set up a powerful intranet portal that gives all employees access to relevant management applications, programs, documents, procedures, data and records.
  • The facility’s steam generator aging management program shows a strong commitment to excellence, and several activities under this program exceed international safety standards.

The team also made recommendations to further improve preparations for LTO security:

  • The facility should ensure detailed planning for the management of the third periodic security review, which is scheduled to begin in 2022 to support LTO preparation.
  • The plant should carry out the reviews of the aging management of structures, systems and components.
  • The work should implement effective knowledge management to support LTO.

At the end of the mission, a draft report was presented to the plant management and the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Authority (SNSA), the country’s nuclear supervisory authority. Both organizations have the opportunity to comment on the draft and a final report will be submitted within three months.

Krsko Nuclear Power Plant (Photo credit: Shutterstock)

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