An IAEA training course held at Mexico's only nuclear power plant, Laguna Verde, brought together 30 national nuclear professionals for training tailored to the plant's needs. Held from 18 to 21 August with support from the IAEA's technical cooperation programme, the course helped to advance the country's broader efforts to strengthen ageing management and long-term operation capabilities across its nuclear sector.
Building Capacity for Long-Term Operation
Nuclear power reactors have an average age of about 32 years. Currently, 28 countries are pursuing long-term operation (LTO) - the continued operation of a nuclear power plant beyond the time frame originally anticipated in its design - and more than 180 reactors are operating in LTO. Effective plant life management supports the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants over longer operating periods by addressing ageing-related challenges and optimizing plant reliability and performance to support energy security and decarbonization goals.
Maintaining the highest standards of safety throughout a nuclear power plant's operating lifetime requires a comprehensive and integrated management approach. Plant life management programmes support this objective by integrating ageing management and economic planning to maintain a high level of safety and optimize plant performance by addressing ageing issues, maintenance prioritization, periodic safety reviews and knowledge management.
Participants studied IAEA Safety Standards and technical guidance for long-term operation and explored the relationships among ageing management, equipment reliability, maintenance optimization and plant modernization. They also discussed international approaches and lessons learned related to long-term operation and subsequent licence renewal.
They applied this knowledge to identify ageing effects and degradation mechanisms affecting nuclear power plant components and to determine appropriate approaches to mitigate and monitor these impacts. Their newly acquired skills are expected to support ongoing efforts to implement and enhance ageing management and long-term operation programmes at the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant.
"This course was an outstanding opportunity for knowledge sharing and meaningful discussion on issues important to the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant," said Jorge García García, an engineer specializing in programme and component engineering at the plant. "The strong engagement from all participants made this a highly successful event and laid the foundation for continued collaboration and information exchange to support the long-term safe, reliable, and efficient operation of nuclear power in Mexico."
Broadening Support for Plant Life Management
This training course was delivered under the IAEA Modular Training Programme on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management for Long-Term Operation , which aims to strengthen Member States' knowledge and capacity to implement effective plant life management and long-term operation programmes.
It covers ageing management, methodologies for plant life management, repair and replacement, innovation and operating experience. The modular format allows training to be tailored to the needs of individual countries and integrates plant-specific considerations.
"The positive feedback from participants confirmed that the course was practical, comprehensive and adaptable. It demonstrated the value of the IAEA's technical cooperation support in strengthening countries' capacity for the safe, reliable and sustainable long-term operation of nuclear power plants," said Scarlett Ihlau, IAEA Programme Management Officer. "For Mexico, ensuring the continued safe and reliable operation of the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant is a priority. This type of capacity building provides an opportunity to strengthen national expertise and benefit from international experience and good practices," she added.
"IAEA and international experts presented the latest practices, research and lessons learned from LTO programmes, while Laguna Verde staff provided valuable insights and practical feedback based on their operational experience. This made the course highly interactive and facilitated a broader exchange of international knowledge and experience," said Garry Gean Young, Technical Executive at the Electric Power Research Institute and training facilitator for the IAEA training course in Laguna Verde.
Strengthening International Cooperation
Beyond capacity building at the national level, the IAEA supports international cooperation on plant life management, helping countries to benefit from experience and good practices from around the world.
The Sixth International Conference on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management (PLiM6) , organized by the IAEA in Tokyo, Japan, from 7 to 11 December 2026, will bring together regulators, operators, technical experts and other stakeholders to discuss current approaches and developments in plant life management and the safe and reliable long-term operation of nuclear power plants.
