A strategy needs to be developed for licensing of a country’s first NPP to meet the project schedule, while maintaining a high level of quality in the licensing process. Significant assistance from an ER and use of the safety evaluation of the reference NPP during the design safety review are the key elements that should be appropriately included in the strategic plan.

The time available between award of contract for setting up the NPP and start of its construction are likely to be insufficient for a detailed review of the PSAR. A possible approach could be to divide the PSAR review work into suitable sub-stages. A brief review of the PSAR can be conducted, focusing on the differences in design from that of the reference NPP and ensuring that the design safety criteria are met, to ensure the award of the license to start construction.

Detailed review of the PSAR can be carried out in parallel with civil construction work at the site but should be completed before the start of activities that cannot be reversed, e. g. the erection of major equipment like the reactor pressure vessel and the steam generators. It should also be completed well before commissioning activities are undertaken. The requirements of licensing and the schedule of technical submissions by the applicant should be clearly identified in advance for each sub-stage of licensing.

20.7 Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge John Moares, independent consultant, author of Chapter 5, ‘Responsibilities of the nuclear operator in nuclear power pro­grammes’, and Erwin Lindauer, independent consultant, author of Appendix 4 ‘Simulator training for nuclear power plant control room personnel’, for their valid inputs to the Appendix on ‘Examples of licensing systems’ and their comments and suggestions for this chapter.