Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Holds Second Infrastructure Development Working Group Meeting
Vienna, Austria – The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) held its second Infrastructure Development Working Group meeting in Vienna, Austria on July 8-9, 2008. The Infrastructure Development Working Group (IDWG) was formally established by the GNEP partners in December 2007 to facilitate the development of the infrastructure needed for the expansion of clean, sustainable, nuclear energy worldwide in a safe and secure manner, while at the same time reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.
49 representatives from 19 countries and 2 international organizations – the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Generation IV International Forum – pursued several important activities that will be carried out by the IDWG this year. First, the IDWG made significant progress towards development of a web-based resource library that will provide an integrated source of practical information to support responsible development of nuclear energy infrastructure. In addition, the IDWG planned several activities to address human resource development, a fundamental component of a safe and secure nuclear power infrastructure. For example, a workshop focused on effective human resource development in key areas of interest to the Partners was formulated. Finally, the IDWG planned assessment activities that will help support decisions regarding nuclear energy implementation based, in part, on lessons learned. Strategies for broader engagement between the IDWG and international organizations to leverage and strengthen existing infrastructure development capabilities were also discussed.
GNEP is a partnership of those countries that share the common vision of the expansion of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes worldwide in a safe and secure manner.
The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group held its first meeting on March 31- April 1, 2008 in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. This Working Group was formalized during the December 2007 meeting of the GNEP Steering Group. Representatives from countries and an international organization attended the meeting. The objective of the Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group is to establish international supply frameworks to enhance reliable, cost-effective fuel services and supplies for the world market, providing options for generating nuclear energy and fostering development while reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation by creating a viable alternative to acquisition of sensitive fuel cycle technologies.
To achieve this objective, the Working Group seeks to assess legal, policy and regulatory
frameworks at the country level to determine gaps and areas of commonality for
establishing the supply frameworks. Similar to the Infrastructure Development Working
Group, the Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group will develop a program plan
to identify the appropriate program activities and report to the GNEP Steering Group in
May 2008.
The participants at the Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services meeting were hosted by GE
Hitachi at the Global Nuclear Fuels facility in Wilmington. The visitors received a tour
of the facility and a briefing on current fuel fabrication issues.
The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) held its first Infrastructure Development Working Group meeting in Vienna, Austria on March 12-13, 2008. The Infrastructure Development Working Group was formally established by the GNEP partners in December 2007 to facilitate the development of the infrastructure needs for the expansion of clean, sustainable nuclear energy worldwide in a safe and secure manner, while reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.
The Working Group aims to identify areas of common interest among partners and carry out activities to address critical elements and needs for the development and implementation of an effective nuclear energy infrastructure worldwide.
Representatives from countries and international organizations discussed the foremost infrastructure development needs facing countries interested in beginning or expanding a nuclear power program and the ways that GNEP could address these needs through shared ideas, resources and programs. Based on concepts discussed at the meeting, the Working Group will develop a program plan that addresses initial activities and also that will provide near-term impacts and identify the long-term needs for global nuclear power expansion. The Working Group will report on its accomplishments to the GNEP Steering Group in May 2008.The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) welcomes the United Kingdom as its 21st partner. Rt. Hon. John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, signed the GNEP Statement of Principles at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on February 26, 2008. This addition of another valued partner will help GNEP advance its important goals of expanding clean, safe nuclear power development while reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.