An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said that the Agency for Nuclear Energy of Bolivia (ABEN), operator of Bolivia's first nuclear research reactor (RB‑01) that is under construction, has developed a management system implementing the IAEA's safety standards. As ABEN approaches completion of the construction phase and prepares to commission the reactor, the review team identified the need for further enhancements, including establishment of a safety committee, improvements in the training and qualification programme for future operating personnel, and increased involvement of ABEN staff in the commissioning programme.
ABEN requested the Integrated Safety Assessment Mission for Research Reactors (INSARR), which verified the safety of the research reactor project against IAEA safety standards. The seven-day mission, which concluded on 18 February, covered organizational and management structure and reviewed technical areas, including safety analysis, construction and the commissioning programme.
The INSARR mission team consisted of four experts from Bulgaria, Canada, France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as one IAEA official.
The RB-01 research reactor is a 200-kilowatt light water, pool-type reactor with a service life of 50 years. The research reactor will play a key role in the production of radioisotopes that can be used to improve the management of Bolivia's water resources, as well as neutron activation analysis to identify minerals of national interest. Construction of the facility began in July 2021, and it is expected to start up in July 2025. The reactor project has received site evaluation, construction and commissioning licenses from the Bolivian regulator.
The research reactor is part of an agreement between the Russian Federation and Plurinational State of Bolivia for the construction of a Center for Research and Development in Nuclear Technology (CRDNT), located in El Alto, one of the highest cities in the world, at an altitude of more than 4000 meters. Once completed, the RB-01 will be the highest nuclear reactor in the world.
The INSARR team visited the reactor and its associated facilities and met with the research reactor staff and management. "ABEN has made significant progress in construction and is building an effective organization to begin commissioning, which will contribute to ensuring safety," said review team leader Joseph Christensen, Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA. "The review team encourages ABEN to continue keeping safety as the top priority as they proceed toward commissioning."
The mission team also observed the organization and cleanliness of the reactor construction site and made recommendations and suggestions to ABEN for improvements, including:
- Strengthening the on-the-job training of future operating staff of the reactor, including through active participation in commissioning tests, to ensure availability of qualified staff for safe operation;
- Formalizing the safety committee to provide independent review and assessment of activities important to safety in the areas of commissioning and operation;
- Strengthening the supervision of construction and commissioning of the facility by ABEN, including review and assessment of design changes important to safety, non-conformances and verification of acceptance criteria for commissioning tests;
- Updating the radiation protection programme; and
- Establishing operational limits and conditions specific for commissioning.
"The Plurinational State of Bolivia decided to implement the Bolivian Nuclear Program (PNB) with a clear understanding that the development of nuclear technology is only possible through a strict commitment to the safety culture. This ensures the successful implementation of the programme, allowing the population to benefit from its broad applications in health, industry, agriculture, the environment, water resources, mining, science and technology," said Hortensia Jiménez Rivera, Executive General Director of ABEN. "In addition, the implementation of Bolivia's first nuclear research reactor represents a turning point in the country's scientific and technological development."
Background
INSARR missions are an IAEA peer review service, conducted at the request of a Member State, to assess and evaluate the safety of research reactors based on IAEA safety standards. Follow-up missions are standard components of the INSARR programme and are typically conducted within two years of the initial mission. General information about INSARR missions can be found on the IAEA Website.
The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements, and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
