WANO completes the Registration of its New Shanghai Branch Office
Press Release
14 April 2020
The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) has announced the successful completion of the registration of its new branch office in Shanghai, China. The Shanghai office will be led by the Director, Joel Bohlmann, and three Deputy Directors; DING Yunfeng from State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC), ZOU Yongping from China General Nuclear (CGN) and QI Tunfeng from China National Nuclear Power Co, Ltd (CNNP).
The new office will make it easier for WANO to provide its full range of services to operators located in the world’s fastest growing region for commercial nuclear power. The strategic rationale for setting up the new office is to ensure WANO is in a strong position to cater for the dramatic growth in the development of nuclear power plants in China and across Asia – where around two-thirds of the world’s new reactors are under construction. With a growing demand for WANO's services from new units, the organisation can ensure that these units make a safe and reliable transition from construction to operation.
Progress on the movement of people to staff the Shanghai Office and to train at the WANO regional centres is being held in abeyance pending resolution of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the administrative, legal, financial and planning work associated with establishing an organisational structure and a physical infrastructure for this strategic project is moving forward.
The new office will be developed in line with WANO's 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 will deliver a high-level, three-phase deployment model for the office in Shanghai. During this first phase of setting up of a branch office, it will be 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. At the third and final phase, WANO will convene another Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) for members to vote on establishing the office as a fully-fledged WANO regional centre.
ENDS-
Notes to Editors
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 430 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.