The membership of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), the world's leading safety organisation for commercial nuclear power plants, has voted to establish a new Branch Office and Support Centre in Shanghai, China, on Feb 21.

WANO’s strategic move will make it easier for WANO to provide its full range of services to operators located in world’s fastest growing region for commercial nuclear power. The strategic rationale for the move is to cater for the dramatic growth in the development of nuclear power plants in both China and across Asia, where around two-thirds of the world’s new reactors are under construction. With a growing demand from new units for its services, WANO will be well positioned to ensure that these units make a safe and reliable transition from construction to operation.  

Peter Prozesky, Chief Executive Officer at WANO, stated: “I’m delighted that our members have voted for us to proceed with the establishment of a new WANO Branch Office and Support Centre in Shanghai. Over the past 30 years, China has become a key player in the commercial nuclear sector and we welcome the increased participation and expertise of our Chinese members in supporting our mission to maximise nuclear safety and reliability. The new office will be developed in line with our ethos – it will be international, independent, technology agnostic and capable of carrying out all WANO functions. In particular, internationality and independence are vital components of WANO - as this is where WANO draws its strength on safety by ensuring a diversity of views.”

WANO has defined a high-level, three-phase deployment model for the office in Shanghai. The first phase involves the setting up of a Branch Office, staffed with around 40 people, which falls under the control and oversight of the London Office. It will later transition to a Support Centre, still managed by the London Office, but with the depth of skill and capacity to start supporting other regional centres. Then at the third and final phase, WANO will convene another EGM for members to vote on establishing the office as a fully-fledged WANO regional centre.

Jacques Régaldo, WANO Chairman, stated: “This is welcome news - the proposed new WANO office in China constitutes one of the most significant changes to WANO since its inception, and it will herald a new era in the history of the Association. The decision to proceed with establishing a WANO Branch Office and Support Centre in China has the overwhelming support of the worldwide membership. This is an historic moment for our organisation, and we now have the opportunity to move forward together with a collective sense of purpose and conviction.”

Statement from WANO’s Chinese member organisations

Today, WANO members have voted to establish WANO Shanghai Branch Office and future Shanghai Support Center, which is undoubtedly a landmark event in WANO's history. We believe it will be a significant force in continuous improvement of safety and reliability of nuclear power operations in Asia and in the global nuclear community. As members of the world nuclear fleet, all Chinese members have persistently giving overriding priority to safety. As members of WANO, we will, as always, firmly support WANO's decision to establish Shanghai Branch Office and future Shanghai Support Center, provide necessary supports, share our experience in nuclear power construction and operation and contribute to maximizing safety and reliability of nuclear power operations. And we are looking forward to a stronger WANO playing more and more important roles to the worldwide nuclear community.

The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) is a not-for-profit international organisation that helps its members maximise the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants worldwide. WANO was established in 1989 by the world's nuclear power operators to exchange safety knowledge and operating experience amongst organisations operating commercial nuclear power reactors. WANO’s members operate some 460 nuclear units in over 30 countries and areas worldwide. WANO works with its membership to assess, benchmark and improve performance through mutual support, exchange of information and emulation of best practices.