Whatever area you work in – development, finance or research – this essential text helps you understand all aspects of the law of nuclear energy.
Part 1 offers a comprehensive overview of nuclear law and nuclear power projects, providing a foundation upon which countries can establish or develop legislative frameworks and regulate nuclear power projects. Part 2 covers the development of nuclear power projects, providing, amongst other things, guidance on producing a tender document evaluating tenders, a review of the key provisions of a nuclear construction contract and an introduction to nuclear finance, and chapters covering the front and back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. Part 3 discusses small modular nuclear reactors (“SMRs”) and future issues in international nuclear energy law.
The 4th edition has been updated throughout with highlights including:
Chapter 1: Nuclear Energy for Policy Makers
- Updated global statistics on nuclear power, including the number of newcomer states and recent developments in nuclear energy policy.
- Expanded discussion of energy security in light of recent geopolitical events (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war), and the resurgence of nuclear as a strategic energy source.
- Added recent data on nuclear plant capacity factors, uranium supply initiatives, and progress on deep geological repositories (e.g., Finland, Sweden, Canada).
- Included developments in international finance, such as the EU's inclusion of nuclear in its sustainable taxonomy and the lifting of nuclear finance bans by major institutions.
- Updated challenges, especially regarding public acceptance, market risks, and the evolving role of SMRs and advanced reactors.
Chapter 2: Introduction to Nuclear Energy Law
- Clarified the distinction between established and emerging nuclear power states, with updated examples (e.g., Bangladesh, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam).
- Emphasised the evolving nature of nuclear law, referencing recent international legal instruments and the need for national law updates.
- Added a summary of the IAEA's milestones approach for research reactors.
- Highlighted the increasing importance of harmonising national law with international obligations and best practices.
Chapter 3: Developing a Nuclear Power Programme
- Incorporated the 2024 revision of the IAEA Milestones Approach, with a new focus on SMRs and their unique infrastructure considerations.
- Updated the description of the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) process, including recent practice and transparency (publication of reports).
- Emphasised the importance of a strong national policy, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO).
- Added recent examples and best practices for roadmap development and infrastructure self-assessment.
Chapter 4: International Nuclear Law
- Updated treaty status numbers (e.g., NPT, CTBT, CPPNM, Joint Convention) and recent treaty accessions/ratifications.
- Included discussion of the 2021 entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
- Expanded coverage of the latest amendments to the Paris and Brussels Conventions (entered into force 2022).
- Updated on IAEA membership and the role of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, including recent changes to export control guidelines.
- Added recent EU nuclear safety directives and regional harmonisation initiatives.
Chapter 5: National Nuclear Law
- Refined guidance on drafting national nuclear law, with new emphasis on harmonisation, international best practice, and use of IAEA model legislation.
- Updated examples from the UAE and Egypt, reflecting recent legislative approaches.
- Added discussion on the benefits of a single comprehensive nuclear law versus multiple separate laws.
- Expanded on the importance of precise definitions, regulatory independence, and the integration of international obligations.
- Included updated tables and model provisions reflecting recent IAEA guidance.
Chapter 6: Nuclear Regulation
- Updated international best practice examples (Bangladesh, Belarus, Turkey, UAE) and the trend towards single, comprehensive nuclear regulatory bodies.
- Added details on recent UK and US regulatory reforms, including the establishment of the UK Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce and updates to ONR/EA cooperation.
- Provided new regulatory developments for advanced reactors and SMRs, including the IAEA's NHSI initiative and international harmonisation efforts.
- Updated examples of decommissioning funding regimes and regulatory approaches in Canada, the UK, and the US.
Chapter 7: Nuclear Liability
- Incorporated the 2022 entry into force of the 2004 Protocols to the Paris and Brussels Conventions, raising liability limits and expanding definitions.
- Updated the status of the CSC and recent contracting parties.
- Added discussion of the UK's legislative process to accede to the CSC and the latest developments in US Price-Anderson Act coverage.
- Provided new model legislative provisions and clarified options for national implementation of international nuclear liability conventions.
Chapter 8: Introduction to Nuclear Power New Build
- Updated to reflect the increasing diversity of nuclear new build participants, including more detailed distinctions between emerging and established nuclear states.
- Expanded discussion of IAEA infrastructure assessment tools, especially the latest Milestones Approach and INIR Missions.
- New content on project structures, including the "mankala" model (Finland) and the importance of the "intelligent customer" principle.
- More detailed breakdown of project participants, their roles, and the legal/regulatory requirements for readiness to launch new build projects.
Chapter 9: Procurement
- Expanded to reflect the latest IAEA procurement guidance, including timelines, phasing, and human resource requirements.
- New emphasis on alternative procurement routes (e.g., strategic partnerships, intergovernmental agreements) in addition to competitive tenders.
- More detailed treatment of legal restrictions, export controls, and EU state aid rules.
- Enhanced guidance on bid preparation, evaluation, and the importance of confidentiality and localisation.
Chapter 10: Construction
- Clarified distinctions between EPC, split-package, and alliancing contract models, including new tables summarising advantages/disadvantages.
- New content on risk allocation, "back-to-back" contractual approaches, and the impact of regulatory compliance on contract drafting.
- Expanded discussion of key contract terms (e.g., reference plant, performance standards, nuclear liability, insurance, dispute resolution).
- Updated practical guidance on project management, claims, and dispute avoidance during construction.
Chapter 11: Financing Nuclear Power Projects
- Updated to reflect recent changes in the global finance landscape, including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank lifting bans on nuclear finance.
- Expanded content on the role of green and sustainable finance, and the inclusion of nuclear in the EU Taxonomy.
- New detail on export credit agency arrangements, OECD guidelines, and government support mechanisms (e.g., contracts-for-difference, tax credits).
- Enhanced risk assessment and allocation matrix, with new focus on political, regulatory, and public acceptance risks.
Chapter 12: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle—Front End
- Updated market data on uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, and fabrication, with new suppliers and facilities noted.
- Expanded treatment of international fuel market security, non-proliferation, and multinational fuel cycle initiatives (e.g., IUEC, IAEA LEU Bank, URENCO).
- New content on contracting for fuel supply, including legal clauses for non-proliferation, export controls, liability, and warranties.
- Coverage of the "gold standard" pledge in US-UAE 123 Agreement.
Chapter 13: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle—Back End
- Updated with current data on spent fuel inventories and storage practices.
- Expanded discussion of waste classification, management, and disposal options, including advances in geological repositories (Finland, Sweden, Canada, France).
- More detail on legal and regulatory frameworks, including the Joint Convention and IAEA requirements.
- New guidance on contracting for back-end services, including risk allocation, export controls, and liability.
Chapter 14: Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs)
- Major update reflecting rapid global SMR developments, with new operational and under-construction units (e.g., China, Russia, Canada, US, Argentina).
- Detailed analysis of customer assessment criteria, SMR benefits, and challenges.
- Expanded discussion of legal and regulatory frameworks, including international treaties, licensing, export controls, and regulatory harmonisation efforts (e.g., 2024 UK/US/Canada MoC).
- New content on contracting, financing, and the role of standardisation in SMR deployment.
