The Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA) came together for its Plenary meeting on 7th - 8th November, hosted by the Polish National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA), in Warsaw, Poland. WENRA members work as a collective group of national nuclear regulators to continuously improve and harmonise nuclear safety to as high as reasonably practicable levels.
The Plenary celebrated the 25-year anniversary of WENRA, during which time it has successfully ensured consistent high levels of nuclear safety in Europe, protecting people and the environment now and in the future. As we marked this important occasion it was fitting that WENRA’s newest full member, PAA, hosted the Plenary, which is testimony to how WENRA has grown its membership and influence during this time. It was also pleasing to welcome a number of Heads of Delegation who were attending WENRA for the first time, from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, UK and USA.
A number of important topics were discussed, including exploring opportunities for WENRA to foster better working relationships with other international bodies.
The Plenary received a comprehensive update on the situation in Ukraine, including regulatory requirements and oversight for the successful introduction of alternatively sourced nuclear fuel into VVERs and the implementation of WENRA Safety Reference Levels (SRLs) for existing reactors in Ukraine. The latter required a significant review and update of the legal and regulatory framework, the improvements have ensured practically full compliance with WENRA SRLs in the furtherance of nuclear and radiation safety in Ukraine.
WENRA members were supportive of the work being done with the IAEA to consider options to expand its monitoring presence to grid electrical substations that support nuclear safety at Ukraine’s NPPs.
Following a significant amount of work by WENRA’s Working Groups on harmonising the separate sets of SRLs, the Plenary agreed an approach to ensure a definitive single set of SRLs for reactors for the next ten years, from 2025. This will provide clarity and stability to regulatory expectations and the required high standards of safety. The Plenary also heard from Poland and Japan, two newer associate members, on their journey to compliance with WENRA SRLs.
WENRAs three working groups reported on progress with the benchmarking exercise, reviewing the implementation of SRLs across WENRA members. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and will provide an insight into the level of compliance and the different ways in which members have achieved this.
Following a lengthy discussion, it was concluded that a proposal for a new Safety Objective on SMRs could not be supported in its current form. Other areas reported on included emerging thematic areas for the future focus of working groups, The increased interest and active support from members for the Working Group on Research Reactors was also noted.
There was discussion on the political situation across Europe, following a number of national elections, highlighting growing support for nuclear as part of the energy mix. Consistent themes were identified on challenges regulatory bodies face, particularly on skills and capability, and discussion focused on how WENRA members may wish to collaborate, share experience and learning to address them.
The Plenary signalled its intent to reach a common position on the important topic of Long Term Operation/Lifetime Extension (LTO/LTE), setting out criteria that should be considered by its members when considering submissions requesting LTO/LTE, which will be finalised in the coming months. It also explored the challenges associated with the use of Industrial Grade Items and recognised the good practice that exists amongst WENRA members. It was agreed that this would be disseminated for others to learn from both within WENRA and more broadly across the international community, via the IAEA, with a fuller report to be issued during 2025.
