Infrastructure for the development of nuclear energy

In the context of nuclear power, the term infrastructure is used broadly, as the successful implementation of a nuclear program requires much more than a specific physical infrastructure. The International Atomic Energy Agency provides a specific definition of the concept, consisting of 19 elements, including legal and regulatory framework, human resource development, industrial base, spent nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste management funds. For the purposes of the present discussion, the infrastructure for the development of nuclear energy is summarized in three directions – the legal framework, the technical infrastructure, and human resources.
For nearly 60 years since the start of the nuclear program in our country, the infrastructure has been very well developed. Bulgaria has the necessary infrastructure for the development of its nuclear program in the future. This is a significant competitive advantage when it comes to the construction of new nuclear units. In many countries with a clearly declared desire to develop nuclear energy, it is precisely the lack of an established infrastructure that creates the need for many years of preparatory work before the structuring of a specific project, let alone its construction. Despite all this, the construction of new nuclear facilities in our country is a sufficiently large-scale undertaking that requires a critical review of the national infrastructure and its readiness.

The discussion will address issues such as:

• What are the legal and regulatory prerequisites and requirements for the development of nuclear energy at the international and local levels?
• The current state of the education system responsible for training personnel for nuclear energy – what are the possibilities for meeting the personnel needs to be related to the operation of the existing units 5 and 6 of the Kozloduy NPP and the construction of new nuclear facilities in Bulgaria?
• What is the state of the industry supporting our nuclear program – ie. organizations working in the field of design, repair/construction, commissioning, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities?
• To what extent could the Bulgarian industry participate in the production of equipment for new nuclear power plants in our country?

Discussion Moderators:

• Milko Kovachev (IAEA)
• Veselin Rangelova (NEA)

Interlocutors:

• Representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency: Tsanko Bachiiski, Chairman
• Representatives of industrial organizations: Bogomil Manchev (BULATOM)
• Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Culture and specialized universities: Marieta Georgieva (Deputy Minister of Education and Science), Galina Drenovska (Ministry of Education and Science), Kalin Filipov (TU)
• Energy experts from the academic community: Borislav Boev (CA “Dimitar A. Tsenov”)