International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) representative Ki-Sig Kang said in Shanghai recently that IAEA is working on a project to extend the useful life of nuclear power plants in the world from 40 years to 60 years. IAEA has been working on the project for ten years but no exact time of the plant extension was given.

It is reported that the useful life of the plant is subject to the useful life of the irreplaceable equipments such as pressure vessel and safety containment vessel. In the 60s -70s of the last century, plant designers are conservative about the design life time of the plant. Usually it was 40 years to ensure nuclear safety. With the knowledge gained from practice and research about the aging of irreplaceable equipment, researchers gradually realized that the operational time of the plant can be higher than the time designed. A part of plants have been extended to 60 years through modification.
Source: www.cgnpc.com.cn