HONG KONG: The French combined operator of a Chinese nuclear plant nearby Hong Kong has stated that the plant is currently coping with a”performance problem” but is now working within security limits, after a report of a possible radioactive escape.
The Taishan Nuclear Power Plant is collectively owned by China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group along with French multinational electrical power Electricite de France, the principal owner of Framotome, that will help control the plant.
“Framatome is encouraging settlement of a performance problem using all the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong province, China,” Framatome stated in a brief announcement on Monday.
“In accordance with the information readily available, the plant is currently functioning within the security parameters,” it stated.
“Our staff is working together with relevant specialists to evaluate the situation and suggest solutions to deal with any possible matter.” Radiation rates in Hong Kong, 135 kilometers (85 miles) in the Taishan plant, had been regular on Monday, according to the Hong Kong Observatory, that tracks radiation across town.
CNN reported Monday the Framotome had written into the US Department of Energy warning of an”imminent radiological threat” and accusing Chinese governments of increasing appropriate limits for radiation away from the plant to avoid needing to close down it.
CNN stated US officials thought the present situation in the plant didn’t pose a serious safety hazard.
Electricite de France said in a statement Monday it was advised of the rise in concentration of”particular rare gases” at the main circuit of reactor No.
1 in the Taishan plant.
“The existence of specific rare gases at the principal circuit is an established phenomenon, researched and foreseen from the operating processes of their reactors,” it stated.
The utility said it’s supplying its expertise, and it has asked the joint venture firm which runs the plant hold a meeting of its board of supervisors so that direction”presents all of the information and the crucial conclusions”.
Chinese government in Beijing and Guangdong didn’t immediately respond to efforts to look for opinion on Monday, a public holiday.
The plant issued a statement on Sunday saying,”Currently, constant monitoring of ecological information indicates that the ecological signs of Taishan Nuclear Power Plant and its environment are ordinary.” It didn’t refer to some issues, and explained,”All working indicators of these 2 units have fulfilled the needs of nuclear security regulations and electricity plant technical specifications” The United Nation’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, told The Associated Press it had been mindful of these media reports and has been connected with its counterpart in China.
“During this phase, the bureau doesn’t have any sign that a radiological incident happened,” that the Vienna-based IAEA stated in a written reply to queries.
The bureau stated it would reveal more details as it became accessible.
The 2 reactors entered commercial operation in December 2018 and September 2019, the local area authorities said on its site.
They’re the very first of a new kind known as European Pressurized Reactors to become usable on the planet.
Construction started earlier on just two different EPRs in Finland and France, however they still continue to face expensive delays.