Licensing of Nuclear Power Plants in
Pakistan
MUHAMMAD RAHMAN
Director (Directorate of Nuclear Safety)
Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority
PNRA Licensing Basis
 Under section 20 of PNRA Ordinance, PNRA is empowered to grant
authorization which states that “The Authority may, on application
made to it accompanied by such information and documents, as
may be prescribed by regulations, grant an authorization for
carrying out of such activities as are specified in the authorization
for such period as it may specify.
 Accordingly PNRA has established its regulatory framework for the
licensing/authorization of nuclear installations named as
“Regulations for Licensing of Nuclear Installation(s) in PakistanPAK/909”.
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Regulated Facilities
Nuclear Installations and Nuclear
Grade Equipment Manufacturer
Nuclear Medical Centers &
Agriculture Research Centers
PNRA
X-Ray Machines , Diagnostic
Radiology & Irradiators used for
sterilization of medical equipment
Industrial Radiography &
Industrial applications of radiation
PNRA Regulations
Technical Regulations
Regulations on Radiation Protection (PAK/904)
Regulations on the Safety in NPP Site Evaluation (PAK/910)
Regulations for the Safety of NPP Design (PAK/911)
Regulations on the Safety of NPP Quality Assurance (PAK/912)
Regulations on the Safety of NPP Operation (PAK/913)
Regulations on Management of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency (PAK/914 )
Regulations on Radioactive Waste Management (PAK/915)
Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (PAK/916)
PNRA Regulations
Administrative Regulations
Regulations on Licensing Fee (PAK/900)
Regulations for Licensing of Nuclear Installations (PAK/909)
Regulations for Licensing of NPP Equipment Manufacturers (PAK/907)
Regulations for Licensing of Radiation Facilities other than Nuclear Installations (PAK/908)
PNRA Enforcement Regulations (PAK/950)
Licensing Stages for Nuclear Power Plants
Closure/
Site
Removal
from
Regulatory
Control
Registration
Construction
Licence
Control
Authorization for
Decommissioning
PNRA
Licensing
Stages
Permission for
Commissioning
Loading of nuclear
material in the
system
Licence
Revalidation
Annual
Operating
Renewal
Licence
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Applicable Nuclear Safety and Security Standards
 All nuclear installations, for the purposes of siting, design,
construction, commissioning, operation and
decommissioning/closure, shall conform to the existing PNRA
regulations.
 In areas where the PNRA regulations are not available, relevant
latest US Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations shall be
deemed to be applicable. Alternately, the licensee may choose to
follow the latest revisions of the applicable IAEA Safety and
Security Standards.
 In case the nuclear safety and security standards of another country
are proposed to be followed, the applicant/licensee shall
demonstrate to the entire satisfaction of the Authority that the
standards, proposed to be followed, offer the same or better
standards of safety, security, quality and reliability than would have
been offered by the nuclear safety and security standards
mentioned above.
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Design and Safety Criteria
 The licensee is required to establish design and
safety criteria and obtain PNRA approval
 Comprising a list of standards and practices to
be followed such as
o Requirements to be followed (Regulations, IAEA
Nuclear Safety Standards, 10CFR, etc.)
o Regulatory and Safety Guides (PNRA, IAEA, NRC)
o Industrial Codes and Standards (International)
o Experience Feedback & Practices to be followed
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Licensing Stages & Submission Requirements
Site Registration
Application
Site Evaluation Report
(SER)
No Objection Certificates
(NOC) from relevant
government departments
Quality Assurance Program
for Siting
Construction
License
Permission for
Commissioning
Preliminary Safety
Analysis Report (PSAR)
Commissioning Program
Design PSA of full power
internal initiating events
(for NPPs only)
Quality Assurance
Program for
Commissioning Phase
Quality Assurance
Program for design and
construction phases
Licensing Stages & Submission Requirements
Permission to Introduce
Nuclear Material (FLP)
FSAR
QAP for Operation
Physical
protection
program
Radioactive waste
management
program
Emergency
Preparedness
Plans
Initial
decommissioning
plan
Environmental
monitoring
program
Radiation protection
program
PSA Level-1
PSI/ISI program
Operating License Revalidation of
(OL)
operating license
Result of
Commissioning
tests
Update of all
documents
submitted
for FLP
Latest reports
of periodic safety
review (PSR)
Licensing Stages & Submission Requirements
Licensing Beyond
Design Life
Latest
Periodic
Review
reports
Update of all
sub-missions
for OL
of
Safety
licensing
required
PSA Level 1 Plus based
on actual plant data (for
NPPs only)
Decommissioning
Program
License for Decommissioning
Or Closure
Removal from
Regulatory Control
Final decommissioning Plan
Decommissioning
completion report
Radioactive waste management
program
Technical specifications during
decommissioning
Physical protection program
Environmental monitoring
program
Radiation protection program
Emergency Preparedness
Plan (EPP)
Final radiological
survey report
Licensing Process
Submission of Safety Case
Safety
Regulations
Review & Assessment
Yes
License
Conditions
Case Acceptable
No
Inputs from
inspections
Comments sent
Inputs of
consultants
Responses received
Issuance of
Authorization
Regulatory Position prepared
Actions taken
and reports submitted
Conduct of Review Meetings
Actions identified
Yes
No
Issues Resolved
Regulatory Oversight During Different Phases
 PNRA has established a well defined Regulatory Oversight Process
which will be effectively used during different phases/stages of
nuclear installation.
 For the assessment and analysis of documents submitted by
licensee during different phases of nuclear installation as regulatory
requirement are subjected to the process of review and assessment
and results of these review & assessment are being followed-up,
documented and recorded for regulatory compliance during all
phases of nuclear installation.
 Similarly, inspection & enforcement are carried out to ensure
compliance with the national regulations, licence and licensing
conditions, and commitments made by the applicant/licensee for the
safety of nuclear power plants.
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Regulatory Inspections
Manufacturing
Inspectors ensures
Construction
Inspection
Program
Commissioning
Conformity with the actual conditions
Compliance with
• PNRA regulations
• Licensing submissions
• Terms and conditions of the license
Operation
Includes third party inspections and
inspections at manufacturing works
Decommissioning
Conclusion
 PNRA Licensing process is quite effective and is in
accordance with international standards.
 PNRA always believe on proven technology and
processes.
 So for PNRA issued Operating Licenses to three
operational NPPs.
 Two construction licenses has been issued to two NPPs.
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THANK YOU
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