From June 3-7, 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted a regional INPRO School on Strategic Planning for Sustainable Nuclear Power Development in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This event saw the participation of 27 professionals from seven countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan aiming to enhance their knowledge and skills in assessing nuclear power systems for long-term sustainability.
The rising global interest in nuclear power as a solution to climate change and sustainable development has prompted countries, both experienced and newcomers, to collaborate with the IAEA. The weeklong INPRO School introduced participants to tools and methodologies from the IAEA’s International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) to evaluate key aspects of nuclear energy projects such as economics, safety, waste management, proliferation resistance, and environmental impact.
“The IAEA INPRO school gives a strategic vision and methods for planning nuclear energy in the countries for decades,” said Ilkham Sadikov, Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. He emphasized the importance of this knowledge for Uzbekistan, a newcomer country in nuclear energy, highlighting the necessity of a clear vision for its future nuclear development.
Participants engaged in a comprehensive instruction program that combined theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Group projects and hands-on exercises reinforced their understanding, fostering teamwork and collaboration. A technical tour to the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan provided participants with a firsthand look at advanced research facilities and existing nuclear technologies, including an electron accelerator-based complex and a nuclear reactor.
“With INPRO School, I am now better prepared to pave the way for the sustainable development of nuclear energy in my country,” said Alimzhan Zhanbirbayev of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plant JSC. “This experience has not only increased my competence, but also sparked a beacon of progress for my country. I am deeply grateful to the IAEA.”
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, both newcomer countries, have been working with the IAEA to develop the necessary infrastructure for safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear power programs. These efforts include hosting IAEA-led Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review missions to assess their nuclear infrastructure development, with Uzbekistan preparing to build two large reactors.
The INPRO methodology, established in 2000, is a globally recognized framework that supports innovative improvements in reactors, fuel cycles, and institutional approaches to promote the sustainable expansion of nuclear energy. It serves as a platform for dialogue among nations, providing tools and services that enhance the understanding of various options for shaping a sustainable nuclear energy future.
“The IAEA INPRO School empowers participants to shape the future of nuclear energy, enhances their skills, and fosters a commitment to safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable nuclear energy,” said Maxim Gladyshev, an IAEA nuclear engineer who led the school.
This INPRO School in Tashkent represents a significant step in building capacities and fostering cooperation among countries in the region, aiming for a sustainable nuclear energy future.
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