Press release of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority on the review of the lifetime-extension program of the Paks NPP

The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) reviewed the program of the Paks NPP – submitted on 17 November 2008 – concerning the extension of its designed lifetime. According to the Nuclear Safety Regulations the preparation of the program is the preconsidition of the licensing of the operation beyond the designed lifetime. The enclosure of the program included several documentation to demonstrate either the suitability of the systems and system components for extended operation or the process of ensuring it.

According to the resolution of the HAEA no such deficiency was found which would rule out the possibility of later approval of the life-time-extension. At the same time the HAEA in its resolution noted 315 findings based on which some corrections should be initiated and 101 further findings which should be taken into account in order to increase the efficiency of the lifetime extension measures. It is noted that the timetable provided in the documentation makes the timely implementation of the program possible but delays in the implemetation of some corrections might risk the entire extension process. Certain deadline corrections are also needed for the successful implementation. The HAEA will decide on the licensing of the lifetime-extension based on the license application of the Paks NPP submitted for each units separately. The license of unit No.1 will expire at the end of 2012, the application should be submitted before the end of 2011. The application should demonstrate the full implemetation of the program as approved by the HAEA.