Development of Capable Owner/Operator David Ward

What is the Owner/Operator? The organisation which: Invites bids for construction of NPP Selects the vendor/contractor Oversees construction of NPP Licences the NPP Commissions the NPP Operates NPP Maintains NPP The Owner/Operator may also be called the “Operating Organisation” or the “Operator”. This owner/operator may be state-owned, or a private company. It may be an existing utility, or a specially established project organization. Its main responsibilities are listed in this slide

What are the Characteristics of the Owner/Operator?

It can be Licensed It can be authorised by the nuclear regulator to operate NPP That is, it can hold a “licence” The licensed organisation carries ultimate responsibility for safety during the life of the plant

It has a Strong Safety Culture The characteristics of the organisation and The attitudes of individuals ensure that Nuclear plant safety issues always receive proper attention A strong safety culture means that the characteristics of the organisation, and the attitudes of individuals in the organisation, make sure that nuclear plant safety issues receive proper attention Safety culture has to be inherent in the thoughts and actions of all the individuals at every level in an organization. The leadership provided by top management is crucial. Effective leadership by senior management is essential

It has an Integrated Management System A single framework to address Safety Health Environment Security Quality Economic performance Social responsibility The IAEA Safety Standards and Guides [7, 8] recommend that an organization with responsibility for nuclear safety should establish and maintain an Integrated Management System. The integrated management system should provide a single framework for the arrangements and processes necessary to address all the goals of the organization. The typical goals are shown here.

Able to Manage Growth and Change Starts as a small group of experts Expands to be able to place an order for an NPP. Expands to be able to apply for a licence for the NPP Recruits and trains staff to operate the NPP An owner/operator in a country that had nuclear power plants,may not need to grow and change. But in a country that is introducing nuclear power, the owner/operator will grow and change quite fast The owner/operator will probably start as a core group of experts but will need to expand to be able to place an order for the first NPP, then put everything in place to be able to apply for a licence, and recruit and train staff to be able to operate the plant

Technically competent Have sufficient skilled and trained staff to: Operate the plant safely Understand all safety issues Take full responsibility for safety Satisfy the nuclear regulator

Commercially Competent Has normal commercial discipline Controls costs Maximises income Makes a profit But Commercial attitude must not conflict with the priority given to safety

IAEA guidance Document in preparation: “Initiating a Nuclear Power Programme – Responsibilities and Capabilities of the Owner/Operator”