Life Extension in Europe

There are 145 nuclear power reactors in operation in 17 out of the 27 EU countries, with installed power ~131,5 GWe. The age distribution of current nuclear power plants in EU is such that in 2010 most of them will have passed the 20-year life and approximately 25% the 30-year age limit. Under this situation, the possibility of extending the life of existing plants is very attractive to utilities, especially given the public opposition in several countries to construct new nuclear power plants, while some governments see them as a way of limiting carbon emissions and power price rises. This paper gives an overview of the status of the life extension plans in the EU, with special emphasis on ageing management programmes and on harmonization of long term operation methodologies. The life extension of existing NPPs beyond their original design life has become an important option for the EU Member States with established nuclear programmes. In most of them, life extension has already been accepted as a strategic objective to ensure adequate supplies of electricity over the coming decades.

BALLESTEROS AVILA Antonio;  BIETH Michel;  ELSING Bernhard; 

2010-04-28

WILMINGTON PUBL

JRC53234

0029-5507,