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REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN International cooperation in the nuclear field

M. Sharipov, Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Committee

IAEA

Workshop IAEA, Vienna, 22-25 September 2008,

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Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

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Historical development and overview

The nuclear scientific industrial complex in Kazakhstan was established as a unified part of atomic industry and science in the former Soviet Union.

In former Soviet Union at the territory of Kazakhstan were: created the Semipalatinsk Test Site for military purpose. developed uranium industry which included uranium mines, plants of uranium concentrate production and fuel pellets fabrication.put into operation the NPP in Aktau at 1973.established several nuclear scientific and research institutes.

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Kazakhstan nuclear power and industry

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

JSC “KazAtomProm” RSE “National Nuclear Center”

Ulba

Metallurgical Plant

“MAEC KazAtomProm”

(NPP BN-350)

Uranium mining and milling

JV company

“Institute of Nuclear Physics”

“Institute of Atomic Energy”

“Institute of Rad. Safety and Ecology”

RW Storage “Baikal”

Government

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Nuclear installations disposition

ASTANA

ALMATY

Kurchatov

Ust-Kamenogorsk

Aktau

BN-350 reactor

Ulba metallurgical plant

Uranium mines

Research reactors

Baikal-1” research reactors complex

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Policy in the field of atomic energy use

The policy in the field of atomic energy use are:safe operation of the research reactors and other nuclear installations; safe decommissioning of the NPP BN-350;liquidation of consequences of nuclear explosions;improvement of regulations for harmonization with other international safety requirements and regulations;technical cooperation with international organizations;development of uranium industry;development of nuclear research centres and institutes;development of nuclear power and industry.

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Kazakhstan in the world of nuclear energy

Now we can see the rapid development of nuclear power and as a consequence the growth of demand on uranium in the world and development of reactors of new generation.

Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan are the main source countries on the natural uranium market.

According to the IAEA data there are about 20 % of the world uranium stock in Kazakhstan.

JSC «NAC «Kazatomprom»

will plan to produce to 2010 about 15 thousands tons of uranium which is about 20 % of the total need of world nuclear power engineering branch.

Kazakhstan uranium can be strategic source for many countries such as Russia, Japan, and China and in the future for countries

of EU.

Unique research reactors of the National Nuclear Center of the Kazakhstan can be used as an experimental base for safety substantiation of new reactors.

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International treatments, conventions, bilateral agreements

The Republic of Kazakhstan has joined to the number of international treatments:

Non Proliferation Treatment;Treatment on Universal Prohibition of Nuclear Tests;International convention on struggle with acts of nuclear terrorism.

The Republic of Kazakhstan has signed the number of agreements with IAEA and other states:

Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the IAEA on IAEA safeguard application;

Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the IAEA on application of safeguard in connection with the NPT.

Convention on the physical protection of nuclear material. Agreements between the Republic of Kazakhstan and such countries as the Russian

Federation, USA, EU in the field of Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy.

Now agreements on cooperation with Japan, China, Korea and Canada are at the stage of signing.

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International cooperation

Main directions of the international cooperation are:development of atomic industry and nuclear power(uranium mining, enrichment of uranium, nuclear fuel production, investigationon the reactor safety, creation of basis for develop of nuclear power);nuclear and radiation safety(decommissioning of NPP BN-350, radiation investigation at Semipalatinsk testsite, modernization of research reactors);non proliferation and physical protection(IAEA safeguards application,

modernization of the physical protection systemon the Kazakhstan nuclear facilities);safety regulation.

State level

Organizationslevel

Competent Authoritieslevel

The cooperation with other states is carried out on the basis of three levels:

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International relationship

Russia

China

Japan

S. KoreaFrance

Canada

UK

USA

EUIAEA

..KAZAKHSTAN

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Fuel production cooperationInternational cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle:Uranium mining;(joint uranium mining enterprises at the territory of Kazakhstan are created with Russia, Canada, China, Japan etc.).Uranium hecsofluoride production; (joint Kazakhstan-Canadian enterprise «Ulba-Conversion» (NAC «Kazatomprom», Cameco) is created for plant project development and construction).Uranium enrichment;(joint Russian-Kazakhstan enterprise JSC «Center of uranium enrichment» is created at the territory of Russia in Angarsk city ).Uranium dioxide powder and fuel pellets production;(JSC «Ulba metallurgical plant» produces fuel pellets (certification work is in a progress) Fuel assemblies production;(Agreement on the plant construction is signed with the France company AREVA)

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BN-350 D&D cooperationUS Department of

EnergyMinistry of Energy and

Mineral ResourcesIAEA

Kazakhstan National Nuclear Center

Nuclear Technology Safety Center

KATEP

Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Committee

Argonne (Idaho) National Laboratory

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Pacific North West National Laboratory

US Nuclear Regulatory

Commission

NAC International

PESCO

US State Department

AdSTM

VNIPIET

OKBM

IPPE

RAOTECH

KBSM

VNIITF

MAEC

Russian ROSATOMEU

EDF-Sogin (Tacis)

UKAEA (Tacis &UK DTI)

NNSA

NDF

Japanese Ministry of Science, Education, Culture and Sport

RANDEC

ARTECHRWE NUKEM (UK DTI)

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Cooperation on decommissioning BN-350Cooperation with RussiaDecommissioning PlanningLRW Treatment designingSRW treatment designingDesign and manufacturing of SF casks

Cooperation with JapanCalculations to support the BN-350

decommissioning (induced activity, tritium content in primary and secondary Na, D&D cost, etc.)

Experiments for sodium cleaning (cesium, tritium and other nuclides)

Experiments for sodium hydroxide solidification

Cooperation with UKOption study for the BN-350 D&DRisk Assessment for the D&D project

(Cost estimation)Review and superediting of the D&D

Plan before submittal to IAEA for peer reviewReview of peer comments

Cooperation with USASpent fuel handlingSodium handlingFire and radiation protectionPhysical protectionDecommissioning planningRegulation for decommissioning

Cooperation with EUEquipment for Radiation

Characterization of the Plant and Material Science Investigations

TrainingFire ProtectionDecommissioning PlanningDocumentation Exchange System

(DXS)Repairing of Spent Fuel Pool

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International cooperation (Russia)

Legal basis for cooperation:Agreements between the Government of the Republic of

Kazakhstan and the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy (1993).

The main directions of cooperation:uranium mining,uranium enrichment,fuel fabricationBN-350 decommissioning, research reactors upgrading, development of small and medium power reactors

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International cooperation (Russia)The Complex program of Russian-Kazakhstan cooperation

on the peaceful use of atomic energy was signed in December of 2006 between Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Russian State Corporation Rosatom.

Main points:Integration in the filed of nuclear fuel production

creation of joint enterprises on uranium mining,creation of joint enterprise on uranium enrichment.

Cooperation in the filed of atom energy industrycreation of joint enterprise on development and introduction (implementation) of projects on small and medium power reactors design.

Upgrading of legislative base (documents) of Russian-Kazakhstan cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy. Cooperation in the scientific and technical field

modernization of research reactorsCooperation in the field of personnel training.

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International cooperation (Russia)Main Russian organizations involved:

RosatomJSC "Теchsnabexport"JSC "ТVEL“JSC "Аtомstroiexport“OKBMIPPEKBSMAtomenrgoproectNIKIETRAOTECH

FSC “Kurchatov Institute”FSC “JINR” (Dubna)

Main Kazakhstan organizations involved:

Ministry of Energy and Mineral ResourcesJSC KazAtomProm

JC UlbaMAEC KazAtomProm LtdJV Company “Atomic Stations”

RSE National Nuclear Center

Institute of Nuclear PhysicsInstitute of Atomic Energy

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International cooperation (Russia)

12 October 2006 –

creation and approval by Ministry of energy and mineral resources (Kazakhstan) and Rosatom

(Russian Federation) of three joint Russian-Kazakhstan enterprises in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy:

Joint Enterprise “Akbastau” for uranium mining and providing of nuclear fuel for Russian design reactors;Joint Enterprises “Centre on Uranium Enrichment” for uranium enrichment;Joint Enterprises “Nuclear Plants” for development and marketdissemination of the VBER-300 nuclear reactor type.

At present Kazakhstan and Russian organizations are started to study issues connected with new NPP building in Aktau.

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International cooperation (USA)

Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the USA on the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy

(1997) Between the Republic of Kazakhstan and USA was signed other

agreements.

Main directions of the cooperation are:nuclear and radiation safety(decommissioning of NPP BN-350, modernization of research

reactors);non proliferation and physical protection(modernization of the physical protection system on the

Kazakhstan nuclear facilities); safety regulation.(developing and improvement of the legal basis and regulation)

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International cooperation (USA)Main USA organizations involved:

US Department of EnergyArgonne (Idaho) National LaboratoryPacific North West National Laboratory

US NRCAdSTMBrookhaven National Laboratory

US Department of Defense

Main Kazakhstan organizations involved:

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

JSC KazAtomPromJC UlbaMAEC KazAtomProm Ltd

RSE National Nuclear Center

Institute of Nuclear PhysicsInstitute of Atomic Energy

Ministry of Defense

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Background for future development of Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan

The presence of energy deficit in some regions of Kazakhstan;Formation to 2025 in the Central Asia of energy deficit about 58-63 bln kWt.h per year;The presence of uranium resources in the country (about 20 % from the world explored reserves);The presence of nuclear fuel production for all types of nuclearpower plants;The presence of qualified specialists with experience in operation of nuclear power plant and research reactors.The presence of scientific centers equipped by research reactorsand unique nonreactor facilities which allow to carry out key investigations in the sphere of nuclear physics, physics and technologies of nuclear reactors, safety of nuclear installations.The presence of good international cooperation with other countries and organizations.