The Paks II. Nuclear Power Plant Ltd. submitted its licence application for the construction of new nuclear power plant units on 30 June 2020. The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority had 12 months to conduct the construction licensing procedure, which was extended by 3 months in accordance with the law.
The main purpose of the licensing procedure is to verify that the nuclear power plant units to be built meet the highest national nuclear safety requirements. To this end, the HAEA also relied on the support of international and national experts during the licensing process.
The submitted documentation is very thorough in several respects, however, in order for the Authority to be able to fully verify all requirements, further assessment and analysis is needed in some areas, taking into account the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency's mission, which was carried out in parallel with the construction licensing process. Therefore, the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority has requested further clarification for the licensing procedure.
The 65th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency was held in Vienna from 20 to 24 September 2021. Member States adopted resolutions strengthening the IAEA’s technical cooperation activities, the effectiveness and efficiency of safeguards, and its work related to nuclear and radiation safety, nuclear science, technology and applications among others.
With effect from 29 September 2021, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appointed Ms Andrea Beatrix Kádár as the new Director General of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority on the proposal of the minister responsible for innovation and technology.
Based on the recommendation of the Defense Working Committee, the Deputy Director General of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority decided that the HAEA would operate in the pre-pandemic way again from 6 September and end the period of teleworking. For entering HAEA’s office building there are no restrictive measures for external guests (only the standard entry protocol is in place).