A. CARNINO, Consultant in Safety, Management of Safety,

Safety Culture and Security, France

Abstract: This chapter deals with the nuclear fuel cycle and briefly reviews all its phases. Nuclear power plants are then considered through their lifecycle and the development of new power plants is examined from the time of decision to embark on a nuclear programme to the decommissioning phase.

Key words: nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear power plant lifecycle, safety principles, requirements for new NPPs, international conventions, site selection, design, construction, commissioning, operation, transportation, security, decommissioning and dismantling, nuclear waste management.

2.1 Introduction

For countries deciding to launch or rebuild a nuclear power programme it is important to understand that it is a commitment of some 100 years which also requires the accomplishment of a number of steps before the final construction decision is taken. Considerations need to be given to the knowledge of the whole fuel cycle, its constraints and its requirements. In addition, economic factors linked to loan availability as well as the means to implement good safety procedures constitute prerequisites.