1. Development of Capable Owner/Operator
David Ward

2. 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

3. What are the Characteristics of the Owner/Operator?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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