Category: Global Bodies

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Progress as Countries Seek to Join Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Some 60 representatives from 14 Parties and Signatories (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, and United States of America) and 18 invited observer countries (Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Paraguay, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Uruguay), as well as invited observers from nuclear suppliers, insurers, lenders, the European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency, all participated in the Fourth Meeting.

The meeting focused on efforts to expand CSC membership and to provide guidance on the operation of the CSC. In particular, representatives from countries that are in the process of, or giving serious consideration to, joining the CSC shared their views and perspectives on the convention, including suggestions on activities that could facilitate decisions to become a party. A number of reasons for joining the CSC were identified, including increasing public acceptance through higher assured compensation; addressing supply chain concerns; promoting investor and lender confidence; and securing treaty relations with both neighbouring countries and countries where suppliers, investors and lenders are located. Industry participants expressed the view that a global liability regime based on the CSC would greatly facilitate the treatment of nuclear liability in nuclear power projects around the world, and expressed the hope that more countries would join the CSC.

Ben McRae, Chair of the Fourth Meeting and Assistant General Counsel for Civilian Nuclear Programs at the US Department of Energy stated that the global nuclear liability regime based on the CSC was key to achieving the full promise of nuclear power to address climate change, economic development and energy security.

 “The CSC assures prompt, equitable and meaningful compensation for damage to people, property, and the environment and provides the legal certainty necessary for operators, suppliers, investors, lenders and insurers to participate in nuclear projects.

 “The CSC provides neighbouring countries the means to take a regional approach to dealing with liability and ensures the courts of a costal state have exclusive jurisdiction over a nuclear accident in its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone,” McRae said

Representatives from the financial sector and the insurance community also provided information on how they assess nuclear risk in deciding on investment in, and insurance for, nuclear power projects. Participants were updated on the status of compensation following the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident.

Anthony Wetherall, Head of the Nuclear and Treaty Law Section in the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs, stated that “the annual CSC meetings and inter-sessional work contribute to the readiness of the Parties to put the convention into operation, including the supplementary international fund, should it ever be needed. In addition to discussing related matters, a key purpose of this meeting is to raise awareness and deepen the understanding of the CSC among those countries that are seeking to join the convention.”

The Inaugural Meeting of CSC Parties and Signatories was held in Ottawa, Canada in 2019, during which the IAEA accepted the request to act as the Secretariat for future meetings and to convene such meetings on a regular basis. Background

The CSC was adopted under IAEA auspices in 1997 and is the single existing international nuclear liability convention covering the greatest number of nuclear power reactors worldwide, approximately 180, or 43 per cent of such operational reactors. The CSC has 11 Parties (Argentina, Benin, Canada, Ghana, India, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, United Arab Emirates and United States of America) and 11 Signatories (Australia, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mauritius, Peru, Philippines, Senegal and Ukraine). The Convention functions as an ‘umbrella’ for all countries that are party to one of the existing international nuclear liability conventions or have national legislation in place conforming to the basic nuclear liability principles in the Annex to the CSC. The IAEA’s online CSC calculator enables countries to run scenarios of potential contributions to the CSC’s contingent supplementary international fund.

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IAEA Deepens Ties with the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Deputy Director General Hua Liu and Director Dima Al-Khatib sign a Statement of Intent on the margins of the UN High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development in New York. (Photo: M. Evans/IAEA)

The IAEA and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) will launch a new series of joint activities to enhance collaboration, following an agreement signed during the recent UN High Level Political Forum in New York. The agreement, which includes joint workshops, outreach events and a new publication, will link the IAEA more closely with an international community of South-South practitioners.

“South-South cooperation is at the heart of the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme, as it is key to enhancing impact and ensuring sustainable development. We look forward to strengthening our ties with UNOSSC to widen the reach of our activities and support offered through South-South cooperation,” said Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation.

The agreement builds on collaborative efforts over the last several years and includes an accompanying action plan with clear goals for new products and initiatives. Through the agreement, the IAEA will participate in new UNOSSC programmes, including its ‘Data to Policy Network’ and ‘Solutions Lab’ over the next year.

Under the auspices of the UNOSSC ‘Data to Policy Network’, the IAEA will host targeted workshops for national policymakers to consider climate action success stories that might be adapted to their countries’ needs. The UNOSSC ‘Solutions Lab’ will bring the IAEA together with other international organizations to identify areas where nuclear science and technology can be supported by conventional techniques. For example, although scientists can analyse water resources through isotope hydrology, it is water management methods like drip irrigation that ultimately conserve water.

“UNOSSC is very pleased to join efforts with the IAEA to leverage our networks and instruments to advance science-backed solutions and knowledge to bridge Sustainable Development Goal gaps via South-South and triangular cooperation,” said Dima Al-Khatib, Director of UNOSSC.

The first set of IAEA-UNOSSC activities covered by the agreement will focus on how the IAEA uses South-South and triangular cooperation to help countries to combat the effects of climate change, which are disproportionately damaging for developing countries.

From climate-smart agriculture to groundwater mapping, a new IAEA-UNOSSC joint publication will feature twenty IAEA climate action case studies with a South-South cooperation component, demonstrating how South-South cooperation is benefiting countries in the Global South.

Scientists in Pakistan demonstrate the benefits of plant breeding for tackling salinization to training course participants. (Photo: M. Zaman/IAEA)

For instance, after the IAEA supported Pakistan to develop more salt-tolerant crops, the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology went on to share their expertise with other countries directly by hosting fellowships and training courses. In the case of increasingly strained shared environmental resources, such as aquifers or the ocean, if one institution has the equipment and trained staff necessary to process samples, this can be leveraged to gain an accurate picture of environmental conditions in the whole region. In the Sahel region, African scientists at the University of Lomé analyse groundwater samples collected across 13 countries to better understand water availability.

South-South cooperation is the sharing of resources and experience among countries of the global South, whereas triangular cooperation is South-South cooperation that is facilitated by a global North country or international organization. Particularly at the regional level, countries can boost each other’s sustainable development through South-South cooperation by supporting their neighbours in areas where they have an advantage – in knowledge and expertise, or in facilities, for example. 

Ongoing collaboration between the IAEA and UNOSSC continues to raise awareness of the important role that nuclear science and technology can play in supporting countries’ efforts for sustainable development.

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First Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group to be held in Italy in November

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will co-chair the inaugural ministerial meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group. (Photo: Government of Italy)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Italy – the current Group of Seven (G7) presidency – will co-host the inaugural ministerial meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) later this year to inject further momentum into intensifying global efforts to develop a potentially clean, safe and limitless source of energy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will together chair the 6 November meeting in Rome, which will see governments, scientists, executives and investors join forces in paving the way for this promising technology to provide the abundant low carbon energy the world needs to meet its growing development needs.

Increased political and economic interest in fusion energy – which has seen key scientific breakthroughs in recent years – was highlighted at the 13-15 June summit of the G7 leading industrialized nations in Italy’s southern Apulia region, where the leaders said it “has the potential to provide a lasting solution to the global challenges of climate change and energy security.”

Pledging to promote international collaboration “to accelerate the development and demonstration” of fusion, the G7 summit communique also welcomed Italy’s and the IAEA’s decision to hold the first WFEG meeting in the Italian capital.

This high-level endorsement follows several technological milestones, including the historic achievement of a net energy gain, as well as a significant expansion of private sector investments and activities in the quest for fusion energy.

Director General Grossi said: “Today, there are more than 40 private sector players active in developing fusion energy, and more than six billion US dollars of funding is flowing their way. It is a clear indication of growing optimism about the immense potential of fusion energy in fighting climate change and building shared prosperity. It shows that fusion energy may become reality sooner than many believed just a few years ago.”

Prime Minister Meloni said: “As the G7 Presidency in 2024, the Government of Italy is proud to bring focus on the development in fusion energy science and technology, addressing the global challenges of enhancing energy security and boosting economic development. Italy is committed to advancing the fusion energy research agenda on the international stage.”

Director General Grossi announced the establishment of the WFEG when he opened the IAEA’s 29th International Fusion Energy Conference (FEC) in London last October, saying “big science needs collaboration, and it doesn’t get much bigger than fusion energy.”

The WFEG will work to accelerate research, development, demonstration and deployment of safe and sustainable fusion energy, with a focus on fostering global cooperation, ensuring the efficacy of R&D activities, identifying existing technology and engineering gaps, encouraging discussion on establishing effective fusion regulation, and other relevant topics.

“The IAEA established the WFEG to drive the discussion on fusion energy development forward by bringing together the public and private sectors, industry, research organizations, academia and civil society in a holistic and collaborative setting to accelerate the fusion energy journey from research and development to demonstration and ultimately deployment,” he added today.

“To get fusion energy from the lab to the grid will require more public and private support that is well aligned. In this endeavour, the role of governments remains vital,” he said.

Prime Minister Meloni said: “Italy is deeply committed to supporting research and innovation in the energy sector. Our vibrant fusion energy programme, involving numerous Italian research organizations, academia, industries and international collaboration with the IAEA, underscores our dedication. We look forward to advancing fusion energy on a global scale.”

The Rome meeting will consist of a ministerial segment where invited high-level political representatives will provide insights into their strategies for accelerating fusion energy development. The WFEG will also discuss priority themes ranging from policy and financial frameworks, technological advancements, commercialization pathways and international collaboration.

Coinciding with the first WFEG meeting, the IAEA will publish its second edition of the World Fusion Outlook, a global reference for developments and prospects in fusion energy, and the Fusion Key Elements, an overview of the fundamental considerations surrounding fusion energy from research and development to demonstration and deployment, essential for establishing a unified approach to advancing fusion as a cornerstone of future energy solutions.

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Recycling Radioactive Sources to Support Cancer Treatments

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Staff members from CNL and TINT after the second Ra-226 repackaging (Photo: Archara Phattanasub/TINT)

“The IAEA has long championed the safe storage and disposal of disused sealed radioactive sources, which has always been appreciated and supported by Canada,” said Jack Craig, President and CEO of CNL. “However, their initiatives to assist donor nations in removing long-term liabilities while enabling a new radiotherapeutics industry is monumental. CNL is also grateful to the Kingdom of Thailand and our new international collaborators, TINT, for their contribution to this new class of cancer therapeutic drugs.”   

TINT first reached out to the IAEA about this project in February 2022 and met with CNL later that year. After TINT confirmed the receipt of their export license in June 2023, over 70 packages of disused radium-226 were sent to Canada.  

The international transfer of radioactive material is a multifaceted endeavour requiring close collaboration among several entities, including regulatory bodies (in Thailand, it is the Office of Atoms for Peace) and port authorities. Diligent work in radiation and contamination monitoring, source inspection, characterization and repackaging, is performed with IAEA support prior to shipment.   

“Thailand, through TINT, has successfully transferred the radium-226 sources to Canada with great support and excellent coordination from the IAEA and relevant authorities of both countries,” said Thawatchai Onjun, Executive Director of TINT.  

TINT constructed a dedicated radioactive waste storage facility at its Ongkharak site in 2013 which became functional in 2016. “Recycling these sources has multiple benefits for Thailand and is in line with circular economy objectives,” said Archara Phattanasub, Head of the Radioactive Waste Technology and Development Section in TINT. “This initiative has helped up significantly reduce the risk for any type of incident associated with these disused sources and freed up a lot of space in our national storage facility.” 

Looking ahead, there are several more transfers planned for 2024 as part of this initiative. Shipments from Curaçao, El Salvador, Fiji and Slovenia are set to take place later this year.  In December, the IAEA will host a technical meeting on the initiative to review progress, examine lessons learned and identify future opportunities for collaboration. 

“The collaboration exhibited by CNL and TINT serves as a great example of how to effectively conduct complex source transportation operations with many moving parts,” said Mykolaichuk. “Fostering sustainable practices is a key element of the IAEA’s mandate, and we look forward to delivering on this initiative for many years to come.”    

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Update 238-IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Staff of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) experienced further hardships because of the military conflict this week, with yet another power outage in the nearby city of Enerhodar and a shortage of tap water also affecting their workplace, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

In the latest incident, the IAEA team stationed at the ZNPP was informed by the plant that a military strike damaged a regional sub-station on Wednesday, cutting electricity to Enerhodar and also impacting water supplies.  For the second time this week, the IAEA experts reported that there was no tap water available in some buildings at the site.

People living in Enerhodar, including most ZNPP employees, have faced several such privations in recent weeks, in some cases following reports of drone attacks on electrical sub-stations in the city, located around 5 kilometres from the ZNPP. Enerhodar remained without power yesterday, while water supplies were partially restored.

“Such incidents clearly add to an already very stressful situation for people working at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. We will continue to monitor the situation. The general well-being of staff is a source of concern since it can also have an impact on nuclear safety and security,” Director General Grossi said.

Despite the instability in the electricity and water supply to Enerhodar, the availability of off-site power and cooling water at the ZNPP was unaffected, as it continues to receive electricity from two remaining off-site power lines. Eleven groundwater wells continue to provide the water needed to maintain cooling of the six reactors in cold shutdown conditions.  

In what has become a regular occurrence since the IAEA mission at the ZNPP was established nearly two years ago, the experts have continued to hear explosions and gunfire at various distances from the site over the past week. Due to an air raid alarm, the IAEA team was not able to perform planned walkdowns on 11 July, even though there were no sounds of military activity during this time. On two occasions over the past week, the IAEA team observed smoke in the distance, which the ZNPP said was due to forest fires.

As part of their mission to monitor nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP, the IAEA team has continued to closely follow ongoing maintenance activities, which are of crucial importance not only for the current situation but also for longer-term nuclear safety at the site. Safety system maintenance work on reactor units 1 and 6 and on the main transformer of unit 3 is making continued headway, some of it also observed by the experts.

In recent days, the IAEA experts visited the main control rooms of units 3, 4, 5 and 6, as well as some safety system rooms. Late last week, they went to the turbine building of unit 1, where they were able to go to all floors but once again without being granted access to the western side of the building. They also observed simulator activities in the ZNPP training centre.

The IAEA teams present at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security is being maintained at these facilities despite the effects of the ongoing conflict, including multiple air raid alarms over the past week.

The IAEA experts have continued to perform regular walkdowns across these sites. This week, for example, they visited an emergency control centre, observed testing of safety systems and emergency diesel generators, discussed ongoing maintenance activities and monitored the availability of spare parts.

On 16 July, unit 3 of the Rivne NPP was reconnected to the grid following a 45-day refuelling and maintenance outage. However, the unit’s power output is currently limited due to grid limitations, with the increasingly vulnerable Ukrainian electricity network continuing to be impacted by military activities across the country.

“I remain very concerned about the vulnerability of the electricity network across Ukraine. Over two years ago, when this tragic conflict first started, I outlined the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security. Pillar four states that there must be secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites. It is essential that the electricity network across all of Ukraine remains stable to help maintain nuclear safety at all nuclear power plants,” Director General Grossi said.

Planned maintenance and refuelling activities are continuing at two of the three units at the South Ukraine NPP. The IAEA team at the Chornobyl NPP rotated late last week.

As part of the IAEA’s efforts to support Ukraine in maintaining nuclear safety and security during the armed conflict, the Agency arranged a new delivery of equipment to support the Ministry of Energy in the crucial task of ensuring reliable power supplies to and from the NPPs. It brings the total number of deliveries to 56 since the start of the conflict.

In response to requests from the Ministry, the Agency organised four shipments over the past few weeks of different kinds of equipment, including aluminium wires, reinforced concrete supports, protection and control microprocessor devices for sub-stations and switchgears. The procurement was supported with funds from France, Japan, and New Zealand. With this delivery, equipment worth more than 10 million euros has reached Ukraine since the start of the conflict.

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Japan’s ALPS Treated Water Release Continues to Meet International Safety Standards, IAEA Task Force Confirms in New Report

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The discharge of treated water from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) continues to comply with international safety standards, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Task Force confirmed today. In its second report since the water discharge began in August last year, the Task Force established to review the safety of Japan’s treated water discharge into the sea also reaffirmed the conclusions from the IAEA’s comprehensive safety report.

Today’s report from the Task Force covers the finding of its mission to Japan from 23 to 26 April, the seventh since it was established in 2021. The Task Force visited the FDNPS site and discussed technical issues with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) – operator of the plant – during its April visit. The Task Force also met with the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA).

The IAEA’s comprehensive report last year – issued on 4 July last year before the discharge began – found Japan’s plan for handling the treated water to be consistent with international safety standards and that the discharge as planned would have a negligible radiological impact to people and the environment.

TEPCO started to discharge the water on 24 August 2023 and intends to continue discharging the water in batches. The total water discharged so far is approximately 55 000 cubic metres, following completion of the seventh batch on 16 July. IAEA expert analysis of the seven batches released have confirmed the tritium concentration in each batch of ALPS treated water released to date is far below Japan’s operational limit.

During its April mission, the Task Force visited the facilities and equipment installed at the FDNPS to discharge the ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) treated water. This included the measurement tanks holding the water prepared for discharge, the flow control valves, emergency isolation valve and the seawater pumps. The Task Force also reviewed the radiation monitors and flow rate detectors installed throughout the discharge facilities, which provide live data to the IAEA’s real time monitoring page.

Additionally, as part of the mission’s activities, the Task Force reviewed the status of the IAEA’s independent corroboration of Japan’s source and environmental monitoring programmes, and the onsite sampling and analysis activities conducted by IAEA experts at the FDNPS. The IAEA is conducting a series of interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) to corroborate the source and environmental monitoring conducted by TEPCO and other relevant Japanese authorities for the ALPS treated water discharge.

Based on their assessments made during the April mission, the Task Force also concluded the following:

  • The regulatory infrastructure in place is appropriate to provide operational safety oversight of the discharge of ALPS treated water, and the Task Force was able to witness first-hand the continuous onsite presence of the NRA and their activities in this regard.
  • The Task Force confirmed that the equipment and facilities are installed and operated in a manner that is consistent with Japan’s Implementation Plan for the water discharge and the relevant international safety standards.
  • The Task Force noted the importance of the IAEA’s ongoing corroboration activities and its on-site independent sampling and analyses, in providing a comprehensive, transparent and objective verification of the accuracy and reliability of the data reported by TEPCO and the Government of Japan and to help build confidence.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi established the Task Force in 2021 to ensure a transparent and inclusive safety review of Japan’s plans for the water discharge. Comprised of IAEA and independent experts from 11 different countries and chaired by a senior IAEA official, the Task Force advises the IAEA in their individual capacities, bringing diverse technical viewpoints to ensure a comprehensive review against international safety standards. The standards constitute the worldwide reference for protecting the public and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

The report from the Task Force’s first mission after the discharge was issued in early 2024.

As part of its ongoing multiyear safety review, the IAEA will continue to conduct Task Force review missions. The next review mission is anticipated to take place in the last quarter of 2024.  The Agency also maintains its continuous presence at the IAEA Fukushima Daiichi NPS Office – established by Director General Grossi in July 2023 – to monitor and assess the ongoing water discharge.

Additional information such as frequently asked questions and a timeline of activities can be found on the IAEA’s dedicated Fukushima Daiichi ALPS Treated Water Discharge webpage.

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Cambodia Researches Cultural Heritage with Nuclear Techniques

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Cambodia is home to many unique cultural sites, four of which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, this heritage is at risk of deterioration, damage or loss due to the country’s tropical climate. See how Cambodia is conserving its cultural heritage using nuclear techniques, with support from the IAEA.

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World Youth Skills Day: IAEA Challenge Supports the Next Generation of STEM Workforce

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy presented awards to the IAEA proSTEM challenge winners. (Photo: X. Tang/IAEA)

In the run up to World Youth Skills Day, young science-enthusiasts came to the IAEA to share their ideas for cultivating a future nuclear workforce with the right skills to meet global challenges. 

These challenges include climate change, increasing food insecurity, and a growing cancer burden.  More young people need to be inspired to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), to address these issues and achieve ambitious goals, such as increasing the role of nuclear energy in the future energy mix. World Youth Skills Day,  observed annually on 15 July, recognizes the potential of young people as catalysts for change and contributors to a prosperous and sustainable future for all. The day highlights the importance of equipping youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to innovate and drive progress in addressing global challenges. 

Earlier this month, finalists in the travelled to Vienna to attend the  International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resources Development. During a session on attracting talent to the nuclear sector, proSTEM finalists shared their innovative ideas and projects on developing the future STEM workforce. 

“The IAEA is dedicated to fostering and empowering the next generation of STEM professionals. By encouraging innovative, inclusive and diverse ideas and projects, such as those showcased in the IAEA proSTEM Challenge, the IAEA helps the young generation to further understand the importance of STEM in addressing global climate emergency and facilitating clean energy transition and inspires and attracts new generation of workforce in STEM related specialities. On World Youth Skills Day, we celebrate these young talents who will drive sustainable development and create a brighter future for all,” said Huang Wei, Director of the IAEA Division of Planning, Information and Knowledge Management. 

The IAEA proSTEM Challenge encouraged participants to submit their innovative ideas and outreach projects to attract and develop the next generation of workforce in STEM-related fields, with nearly 90 participants from 26 countries submitting projects. 

“The proSTEM challenge gave a unique opportunity for so many people from across the world to showcase their innovative ideas and contribute to the global effort of inspiring, attracting and retaining youth in STEM education and careers. Best practices and experiences of communication strategies among diverse groups helped to bridge the skill gap,” said Alesia Iunikova, an IAEA Knowledge Management Specialist.

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Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 28 July 2023

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

On 26 July 2023, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during June, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.

The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of June. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

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Japan’s Reports on Conditions at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 10 April 2023

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.

This assessment has been performed on aspects presented in the February 2023 report ‘Events and highlights on the progress related to recovery operations at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Stationn’. It does not include recent developments that will be taken into consideration in a next report.

Start of the rearing test of marine organisms

The Agency notes that, in addition to the IAEA review of the safety aspects of ALPS treated water, the document also contains TEPCO’s progress report on rearing tests1/ of marine organisms in seawater with ALPS treated water added, compared to normal seawater.

IAEA review of the safety aspects of ALPS treated water (second review)

The Agency acknowledges Japan’s continued cooperation during the IAEA’s ongoing review of safety related aspects of handling ALPS treated water at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, and notes that the second Task Force mission to METI/TEPCO was highlighted in this latest update.

Substantiation of measures to further reduce contaminated water generated

The IAEA welcomes the prospect of achieving goals of the Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap including continuous Japan’s effort to reduce the contaminated water generation, in line with the IAEA Fifth Review Mission Report released in August 2021.

Unit 1 Status of the Primary Containment Vessel (PCV) internal investigation (the latter half)

The IAEA acknowledges the progress of the investigation inside the Unit 1 PCV, including the status of fuel debris distribution.

Sea area monitoring results

Based on the information provided by Japan, the IAEA acknowledges that no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota, including fishery products, during the period covered by this report. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages the continuation of sea area monitoring. Furthermore, the IAEA considers that the ongoing data quality assurance programme that is in place is key for ensuring the accuracy and the quality of the results of the monitoring programme. It also enhances transparency and contributes to building stakeholders’ confidence.

Food products

Based on the information provided by Japan, the situation regarding the safety of the food supply, fishery and agricultural production continues to remain stable. Food restrictions continue to be revised and updated as necessary in line with food monitoring results. Many thousands of food samples were collected over the reporting period and this indicates continued vigilance of the authorities in Japan and their commitment to protecting consumers and trade. Monitoring, appropriate regulatory action and public communication are helping to maintain confidence in the safety of the food supply.

Based on the information that has been made available, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre understands that measures to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is controlled effectively by the relevant authorities and that the public food supply is safe.

__________

1/ By “rearing tests”, the Agency understands that what is meant by TEPCO is the maintenance in large tanks, of marine organisms to physically and visibly demonstrate that no adverse effects will be imposed by the presence of ALPS treated water in the sea.