PAPER BY BEG BACKGROUND

1 British Energy Generation (BEG) operates fourteen advanced gas cooled reactors (AGR) and a single pressurised water reactor (PWR), Sizewell B. Both the AGR and PWR are mature technologies, but the approach to research is different. AGR technology is unique to the UK and therefore supporting nuclear safety research capability is predominantly based in the UK. PWR technology is utilised worldwide and there is therefore a large overseas nuclear safety research capability that can be called upon to support Sizewell B. 2 The arrangements for nuclear safety-related research require that the reactor licensees prepare an annual Nuclear Research Schedule (NRS) which describes the current research strategies and provides details of the research projects that are to be undertaken. In response to this, BE