Nuclear safety is of the utmost importance to the EU and its people. Thirteen of 27 EU Member States operate nuclear power plants. It is crucial that this type of energy is generated in a safe and secure way, which is why continuously improving nuclear safety is an absolute priority for its Member States.
The revised Directive (2014/87/EURATOM) introduced a European system of Topical Peer Reviews (TPRs) commencing in 2017 and taking place at least every six years thereafter. Initiation for the peer review process and preparation of relevant documents started in 2020 and in 2021 decision was made to examine the fire protection topic and organize peer review process in nuclear power plants, enrichment plants, research reactor facilities, spent fuel storage facilities and storage facilities for radioactive waste that are on the same site and directly related to the nuclear installations.
Also in June 2021, the stakeholders were introduced with the objectives of the second TPR and had an opportunity to discuss the issue of fire protection at nuclear installations.
TPR is a mechanism for EU Member States to examine topics of strategic importance to nuclear safety, to exchange experience and to identify opportunities to strengthen nuclear safety. TPR process is carried out in phases of self-assessment and peer review. The topic of the 1st TPR (2017-2019) was the ageing management of nuclear power reactors and research reactors above 1 MWth, the topic of the 2nd TPR (2022-2024) is fire protection at nuclear installations. Lithuania will participate in the second topical review.
The aim of the peer review process is to identify and follow up on reasonably practicable improvements for each country and to support the future work of ENSREG.
Transparency and public participation will be ensured throughout the whole TPR process, including opportunities for public involvement in the course of the process and in the peer review. All relevant documents and reports will be published on ENSREG website www.ensreg.eu and there will be opportunities for public consultation.
