Radiological consequence assessment from long term station blackout nuclear accident on Buyende nuclear power plant of Uganda

Abstract

Uganda’s energy policy of 2023 and Vision 2040 plans to address the country’s electricity shortage by introducing nuclear power of 24,000 MW capacity by 2040. The pioneer nuclear power plants with a generation capacity of 8,400 MW will be built in Buyende District. This study focused on assessing the radiological consequences of potential nuclear accident on any of the four technologies of APR1400, VVER1200, HPR1000, and APR1000. Evaluation of acute and chronic radiation effects from a long-term station blackout accident using RASCAL and GENII codes identified the order of minimum health risks to the public as APR100, HPR1000, VVER1200, and APR1400 if single units are constructed. The total effective dose equivalents and thyroid doses at the exclusion area boundary and emergency protection zone were within the regulatory limits of 250 mSv and 3,000 mSv, respectively for all the reactor technologies.