ENER/D3/2020-777 Resilience of the Nuclear Sector in Europe in the Face of Pandemic Risks

Description

Taking account of the individual circumstances of the European countries (EU-27+CH, UK), this study aims to analyse the near-term and longer-term impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on the European nuclear sector (covering all existing nuclear fuel cycle facilities, research facilities), and the preparedness and recovery actions taken by the owners, operators, regulators, and national authorities to ensure their safe, continued operation. Against the background of the financial shock to the global economy, it will identify potential impacts on key suppliers, possible knock-on effects on the nuclear sector from other industries, and actions and investments needed at national and EU-level to support the resilience of the sector, maintain security of supply for the nuclear fuel cycle, and its potential to sustain jobs and steer recovery activities in the longer term. (a) Determine the key challenges influencing the availability of nuclear generation capacity under enduring or new pandemic conditions, covering normal operations, incidents and emergencies, refuelling and maintenance outages, and upgrading/refurbishment activities, and new build projects. Review and assess the effectiveness of the measures taken by operators and regulators during the early phase of the Covid-19 outbreak. Review these measures in the context of the longer term risks and identify elements for updated continuity/contingency/risk preparedness plans, with a focus on ensuring the safety of nuclear installations. Similarly, determine challenges for nuclear facilities providing medical radioisotopes. Develop clear practical recommendations for improvements. (b) Identify the critical supply chains essential to guarantee safe operations and maintenance; assess the risks for the European nuclear fuel cycle operations, including supply chains for materials, consumables, components and specialist services. The study should review critical supply chains important for ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of plants, but also for the upgrades and improvements necessary for long term operation, as well as for the programme of new build projects. Develop clear practical recommendations for improvements. (c) Ascertain the near term impacts on availability of nuclear fuel supplies, including an assessment on uranium conversion, enrichment, and fuel manufacture. (d) Assess the economic impacts of the pandemic on planned investments and expenditure on upgrades to existing installations, refurbishments for long-term operation, especially those with a safety impact, as well as on new build projects.