Ukrainian NPPs Transferred to the WANO Paris Center

At a meeting held on 31 March 2022, the Board of Governors of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) took a decision to transfer Ukrainian NPPs operated by NNEGC “Energoatom” to the WANO Paris Center. In particular, the following plants have been transferred: Zaporizhzhya NPP (6 WWER-1000 units), Rivne NPP (2 WWER-440 units, 2 WWER-1000 units), South Ukrainian NPP (3 WWER-1000 units), Khmelnytsky NPP (2 WWER-1000 units).

What is WANO NPP?

The World Association of Nuclear Power Plants Operators was established after the Chornobyl accident to improve nuclear safety through the operational experience exchange. WANO unites all NPP operators in the world. WANO is headquartered in London (UK) and has regional centers in Atlanta (USA), moscow (russia), Paris (France) and Tokyo (Japan). WANO’s core programs include peer reviews, performance analysis, support of their member organization, training and professional development, and corporate communications.

What will change for Ukraine after the transition to the WANO Paris Center?

Until 2021, Ukrainian NPPs were part of the WANO moscow Center. As part of the peer review program, which is held every four years, representatives of the moscow Center were able to visit Ukrainian nuclear power plants for an objective analysis of nuclear power plants operation. Upon peer review completion, a report with recommendations for improving the level of nuclear safety and reliability of nuclear power plants is developed. That is, the transition from the moscow to the WANO Paris Center ensures exemption of russian nuclear engineers from visiting Ukrainian nuclear power plants. However, it is possible that representatives of the moscow Center may be delegated for inspection to the Paris Center as part of a cross-peer review. However, it is quite likely that these procedures will be revised.

According to NNEGC “Energoatom”