IAEA completes safety review at Argentina’s Atucha Nuclear Power Plant

Americas, News November 28, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

The Argentinian nuclear plant operator plans to extend the operating lifetime of Unit 1 by 20 years.

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded a review of long-term operational safety at Unit 1 of Atucha Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Argentina.

Atucha NPP, located 100 km northwest of Buenos Aires, is operated by Nucleoelectrica Argentina S.A.

The Pre-SALTO (Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation) follow-up review mission was conducted at the request of the Government of Argentina from November 23 to 26. “It focused on aspects essential to the safe Long Term Operation (LTO) of Unit 1, a pressurized heavy water reactor with a net electrical output of 362 megawatts electric MW(e)” the statement said. The operator plans to extend the operating lifetime of Unit 1 by 20 years.

The plant went into commercial operation in 1974 and its current operating license expires in 2024. The Atucha NPP’s Unit 2 (745 MW) that started its commercial operation in May 2016 was not part of the review.

The SALTO team comprised of three experts from France, Pakistan, Sweden, and one IAEA staff member. The team reviewed the improvements in preparedness, organization and programs against the IAEA safety standards.

“The team observed that NA-SA followed the recommendations of the Pre-SALTO mission in 2018 to make significant steps in improving aging management and preparation for safe LTO,” said Gabor Petofi, SALTO team leader and IAEA Senior Nuclear Safety Officer. “The team encourages the plant management to complete the already commenced tasks and address the remaining findings from the 2018 mission and implement all activities for a safe LTO.”

The team concluded the plant had:

Completed the assessment of electrical, instrumentation and control systems and components for LTO.
Completed a comprehensive condition assessment of the plant structures, systems and components.
Completed the identification of all components that need ageing assessment for LTO.

The team suggested further work to improve organizational arrangements and processes to ensure timely implementation of all activities required for safe LTO and fully implement the proactive technological obsolescence program.

The plant management expressed willingness to address the areas identified for further improvement and to continue cooperation with the IAEA. “With the support of the IAEA, we can further improve our preparedness for safe LTO and implement aging management effectively,” said Atucha site manager Alejandro Sanda.

The IAEA team will submit the final report to the plant management, Argentinian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) and the government of Argentina within three months.