National Atomic Energy Agency

As part of the first phase of the JER, a joint assessment of selected technical aspects of the NUWARD SMR project was carried out. The assessment was carried out jointly by - the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) with the technical support organisation IRSN, the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) and the Czech State Office for Nuclear Safety (SUJB) with the technical support organisation SURO. The results of the assessment identified the strengths and weaknesses of the NUWARD SMR reactor project. The document is publicly available under the name Pilot Phase Closure Report on the ASN and STUK website: https://www.french-nuclear-safety.fr/asn-informs/news-releases/a-joint-review-has-been-carried-out-by-3-european-regulators-on-the-safety-options-of-a-smr.

The objective of the second phase of the JER (JER Phase 2) is to continue the collaboration, which addresses the assessment and identification of key factors and conditions to meet regulatory requirements. The JER Phase 2 is scheduled to discuss further technical aspects, including management of extended design conditions, assessment of the safety containment and radiation consequences of radiation emergencies, management of criticality risk, and architecture of electrical and I&C (control and command) systems.

The PAA is joining this process, which will last until the end of 2024, to work with foreign partners on the effective evaluation of the NUWARD reactor design. Participation in the project will contribute to strengthening the experience of the staff of the PAA during the technical assessment of nuclear reactors, as well as identifying potential areas of nuclear safety requirements for advanced nuclear reactors that should be modified in order to guarantee the highest level of nuclear safety.