The selection of any new site for a large industrial installation requires a systematic approach, as described in Fig. 18.1. First of all, a whole country or a region of it is selected based on economic considerations, proximity to an electricity market and social demands, such as the convenience of boos — tering the development of a particular region.

Within the region, selection of one or more zones will have to be deter­mined by a general analysis of some basic parameters. At this first stage, the availability of cooling water is the most restrictive technological require­ment; generally the areas of interest are limited to rivers, lakes or coastal sites. Artificial lakes could also be built on smaller tributaries and the use of cooling towers may open more possibilities, although the proximity to a large body of water is always recommended.

An analysis of the geology of the region originally selected will determine which areas must be discarded because of high seismicity or for other reasons; the meteorology of the region will determine the hazards associ­ated with extreme meteorological events; zones that are densely populated or near large population centres (over 25,000 residents) will also be dis­carded as it would be difficult to establish efficient emergency procedures; and sites close to large industrialized areas or areas with high agricultural

or ecological value should also be dismissed. The systematic approach of all these criteria will divide the region in question into zones or areas in which NPPs may be situated. At this time, a gradation of the areas found could also be established. Countries have evaluated the maximum nuclear capac­ity which could be installed along a given river, large lake or coastal region.

The zone or zones of interest are then studied in depth to determine the optimum sites where the plant or plants could be built. Two types of studies are conducted; on the one hand, detailed economic, geological, hydrological, meteorological and social and demographic studies will determine some basic plant design parameters, while on the other hand the plant or plants to be constructed will determine some basic requirements from the site, mainly related to the ultimate heat sink, redundant electrical power supply, the need to have an efficient emergency management system, the release of radionuclides during normal operation and accident conditions, the man­agement of radioactive waste, and the size and geometries of the buildings to be erected.

The initially separated studies described above are later subjected to a compatibility study between the plant and the site, covering all types of parameters which constitute the basis for the selection. The site information gathered and the compatibility of the site and the selected technology or technologies will constitute the basis for requesting the site approval from the Regulatory Body in accordance with the regulations of the country.

In the past, governmental institutions and large utilities, under their areas of influence, have conducted studies to determine the best locations for building nuclear power plants and fuel cycle installations. For new entrants the development of such a bank of potential sites is highly recommended. The current social opposition to nuclear power makes it difficult to find new sites for nuclear power plants and related facilities.