27 Jul (NucNet): Areva is joining the World Association of Nuclear Operators, following approval of its candidacy by the WANO governing board this week in Paris, the French company said in a statement.
Areva said it is joining as a category 1 member, which means it will have voting rights at WANO general meetings.
Areva qualifies for WANO membership because it operates a nuclear facility – the La Hague reprocessing plant near Cherbourg
Safety has always been Areva’s top priority and it is therefore natural for the group, as a nuclear site operator, to be part of WANO, Areva chief executive officer Luc Oursel said in the statement.
Mr Oursel said that after Fukushima, it became clear that WANO is to become a major cornerstone for strengthening safety and that Areva should become part of the association.
Areva quoted WANO chairman Laurent Stricker as saying the organisation is confident that Areva will make “an important contribution in multiple areas” thanks to its broad nuclear expertise.
WANO is based in London with regional centres in Moscow, Atlanta, Tokyo and Paris.
