IAEA Delivers Report on Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development to Niger

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivered the final report of a mission that reviewed Niger’s infrastructure development for a nuclear power programme.

The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission took place in April 2018 at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of the Niger. It reviewed the status of development of the 19 ‘issues’ using the Phase 1 criteria of the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, which splits the activities necessary to establish the infrastructure for a nuclear power programme into three progressive phases: consider, prepare, construct.

“As is recognized in the INIR Mission report, there is a strong commitment from the Government to the work of developing the infrastructure for a nuclear power programme,” said Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, who handed over the report to the Nigerien Energy Minister Amina Moumouni, yesterday, in Niamey.

“I am encouraged that even though Niger is still in an early phase, it has already enacted a comprehensive nuclear law, established an independent Nuclear Regulatory Authority, and is currently reviewing existing regulations and developing appropriate new ones,” he added.

To assist Niger in making further progress in its infrastructure development, the INIR mission made 7 recommendations and 17 suggestions. The INIR team also identified 3 good practices that may benefit other countries considering the introduction of nuclear power.

The mission’s recommendations and suggestions included areas where further action would benefit Niger, including developing an integrated view of overall nuclear power plant project costs, a legal and regulatory framework for safety, alongside strengthening the management of activities for its prospective nuclear power programme.