Regional nuclear fuel cycle centres: IAEA study project

A study project on regional nuclear fuel cycle centres was initiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1975 to examine the economic, safety, safeguards and security aspects of a multinational approach to the planning and establishment of nuclear fuel cycle facilities. The study has concentrated on the ‘back end’ of the fuel cycle, covering transport, storage, processing and recycling activities. The results of this study would help any group of interested member states to develop alternative strategies for their present and projected nuclear fuel cycle needs, as well as evolve institutional, legal and other appropriate arrangements for establishing fuel cycle centres on a multinational cooperative basis.