Nuclear Power Profile of Tunisia

Transcription

1 Nuclear Power Profile of Tunisia Prof. Hafedh BELMABROUK National Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology Vienna, March 2013

2 Outline Country overview Summary of basic information on the national program Current key players in the nuclear field Legislative and regulatory framework Nuclear Power Plant : feasibility study Conclusions 2

3 Country Overview Population (2012) : about 11 millions Area : about km 2 (smallest country in North Africa) Bordered by Algeria, Libya and the Meditarrean sea Unemployment rate (2012) : 17% GDP per capita : 4400 US$ Mining sources : phosphate, natural gaz Light industry, agriculture, services, tourism 2011 : revolution Free elections of a Constituent Assembly A young democracy is to be consolidated Many challenges 3

4 Summary of Basic Information on the National Programme Tunisia does not have any NPP nor a RR Several applications of nuclear techniques and technologies in the Medical and in non Medical fields Sealed and non sealed radioactive sources Gamma Irradiation pilot plant (100 kci in 1999) EB Irradiation pilot plant (not operational) 4 linear accelerators are under construction for medical purposes 4

5 Tunisia is considering the introduction of nuclear energy in the country. A technical and economical feasibility study for the construction of a Research Reactor was carried out in 2000 in collaboration with IAEA and France. No Decision was taken. Previous preliminary economical studies, showed that nuclear power plants could be economically competitive for electricity production On November, 2006, the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) was asked by the government to conduct, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, a technical-economical feasibility study for NPP implementation The report is due late

6 Current Key Players in the Nuclear Field National Atomic Energy Commission National Centre for Radiation Protection National Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology 6

7 National Atomic Energy Commission Headed by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and composed by members from different ministries and national institutions. It was created in It has the following tasks: To develop, promote and implement nuclear technologies, methods and instruments in the country in fields of agriculture, industry, power energy, environment and medicine; To implement basic and applied research programs in sciences related to nuclear technology; To oversee the technical cooperation programs specially with the IAEA 7

8 National Centre for Radiation Protection Created in 1981 Acts as the regulatory authority at the national level for all issues concerning the use of radioactive sources in the context of radiation protection, except nuclear installations. A new regulatory body called National Nuclear Safety Agency will probably be created in 2013 or 2014 It will carry out regulatory functions for safety, security, safeguards, radiation protection, physical protection, radioactive material transport, and radioactive waste management. 8

9 National Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology Created in 1993 About 30 researchers, 30 engineers and 40 technicians Peaceful Applications of Nuclear Science and Technology in Industrial, Medical, Environmental, and Agricultural fields, through. Radiation Processing Radiation measurements Cobalt irradiator (activity 100 kci in 1999, about 17 kci now) Electron beam accelerator (not operational!!!) Nuclear Safety Radiation protection Isotopic Hydrology Radio-pharmaceuticals Microbiology Sterile Insect Technique 9

10 Legislative and Regulatory Framework A group of national experts was created in May 2008 to draft a legislative and regulatory framework based on a comprehensive nuclear law The expert team preceded to an assessment of the Tunisian nuclear (and related) legislation and it was concluded that: The legislation and regulations in force in Tunisia reflect the existing nuclear activities and generally fails to meet the international standards. Laws and decrees deal with nuclear applications in different fields and exclude from their scope of application nuclear installations or activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle management. 10

11 Also, it was concluded that: Most of International treaties, conventions and agreements related to Nuclear energy are signed and adopted by Tunisia but there is a need to proceed with the necessary actions at the national level for their implementation. There is an urgent need to join all relevant international conventions not yet adopted. 11

12 It was decided to: Prepare a legislative and regulatory framework based on a comprehensive nuclear law covering especially safety, security and safeguards, as well as liability for nuclear damage. This law should cover all ionizing radiation and nuclear practices from mining to the final disposal and should implement all international standards and provisions of all related conventions and treaties. This law should include all the relevant obligations and provisions under the Convention on Nuclear Safety 12

13 This approach was approved by the National Atomic Energy Commission and later by the board of ministers A first draft of the comprehensive nuclear law was evaluated by IAEA experts (march 2010) and the final draft took into consideration the experts recommendations The final draft was evaluated by the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs (OLA-IAEA). The next step will be the approval of this project through the national official channels. 13

14 Nuclear Power Plant : feasibility study Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) and MHESR have been charged to conduct the feasibility study 14

15 Reasons for national decision of nuclear power introduction in energy mix 1 Strategic reasons : Gas demand Gas availability National production of fossil fuel is limited and it will be in deficit from 2015 (for a pessimistic scenario without considering eventually the discoveries of new fields). 15

16 2 Strategic reasons Diversifying of sources supply for a better energy independence. In 2010, about 85% of the produced electric energy is based on natural gas Renewable energy Nuclear Power Plant? 16

17 3 Strategic reasons Three scenarios of energy demand In 2031, the energy demand will be about GWh 4 Other strategic and economic reasons 17

18 Constraints and national strategy for NPP infrastructure development Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO) and Regulatory Body are not created yet (in progress) Technology type is not chosen at the current stage After the revolution of January 2011, all national institutions are in a transition phase! Several political parties are against nuclear power after the FUKUSHIMA accident Two possible sites are selected A training program is in preparation 18

19 Conclusions Tunisia has many years of experience in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear techniques and technologies Tunisia is considering the option of NPP The legislation and regulations in force in Tunisia reflect the existing nuclear activities and generally fail to meet the international standards. The CNRP, with more than 30 years of experience as a regulatory body, is involved with the national expert group drafting the nuclear law and it will be integrated into the ANSN to insure the continuity of the regulatory activities. The IAEA is involved in this process by revising the drafted law. 19

20 Thank you! 20