Background
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) latest high case projection for nuclear power capacity in 2050 sees a 150% increase from current levels to 992 gigawatts. This reflects decisions around the world supporting the long-term operation (LTO) of existing reactors, new construction of large nuclear power plants (NPPs), and the development and deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). As of June 2025, the average age of global operational nuclear power reactors is about 32 years, with over 67% of the total operating units being more than 30 years old. Approximately 38% of operating units are over 40 years old, and 9% are over 50 years old. To meet decarbonization and energy security goals, LTO of nuclear power plants has become a top priority for many nuclear power fleets. In recent years, international organizations and countries have initiated various projects on LTO beyond 60 years to identify technical gaps and seek innovative solutions to support LTO.
In most Member States, the task of LTO of nuclear power plants is assigned to an engineering discipline called plant life management (PLiM). The effective ageing management of structures, systems and components (SSCs) is a key element in PLiM for the safe and reliable LTO of NPPs. Plant life management can be defined as the integration of ageing management and economic planning for the purpose of maintaining a high level of safety and optimizing plant performance by addressing extended life ageing issues, maintenance prioritization, periodic safety reviews, education and training.
A PLiM programme is an effective tool that allows an operator to manage ageing effects in SSCs for LTO in a safe and cost?effective manner. Such a programme helps facilitate decisions regarding when and how to repair, replace or modify SSCs in an economically optimized manner, while maintaining a high level of safety.
The IAEA previously organized International Conferences on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management from 4 to 8 November 2002 in Budapest, Hungary, from 15 to 18 October 2007 in Shanghai, China, from 14 to 18 May 2012 in Salt Lake City, United States of America, from 23 to 27 October 2017 in Lyon, France and from 28 November to 2 December 2022 in Vienna, Austria. Participants in these earlier conferences greatly appreciated the opportunities for information exchange and recommended that the IAEA continue to organize conferences every four to five years. Accordingly, the IAEA is organizing the sixth conference in the series from 7 to 11 December 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.
Target Audience
The conference is directed mainly at the staff of utilities, research and design organizations, regulatory bodies, manufacturing and service companies, technical support organizations, as well as government decision makers concerned with near, medium and long-term energy needs that include nuclear.
Conference App
The IAEA Conferences and Meetings App provides a one-stop access to information on the Conference, exhibitions and scheduled side events. The app also allows users to put together their own personalized schedule of events. Via this app participants will be able to view contributed papers and the latest conference programme, message other participants, and view PowerPoint presentations released after the event. Participants will receive an email inviting them to register for the app approximately one week before the conference.