EDF acts to improve nuclear safety

It is one year since the earthquake and tsunami caused massive destruction and killed thousands of people in Japan. It alsoled to a leak at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.

EDF, which owns eight nuclear power stations in the UK, launched its own safety reviewand, at the request of the European Union, carried out stress tests on its plants.

The company says that the stress tests “have identified no shortfalls in the operational safety cases of our existing fleet”. However, working with the Office for Nuclear Regulation, it has identified a number of steps that can improve safety. These include “enhancements to current building and site infrastructure to improve the robustness of protection”.

Other measures include improved emergency planning as well as a PR offensive involving focus groups, visitor centres and stakeholder forums

EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said:  “March 11 is the anniversary of an earthquake and tsunami which killed thousands of people. At this time, our thoughts are with those who were affected. We are fortunate in this country not to have seismic activity on the same scale.

 “Nonetheless it is vital to learn the lessons from the nuclear event caused by the tsunami. Looking back, a year on, it is clear nuclear in the UK is even safer because of what has been done.

“We have put in place a range of measures which further strengthen our safety. It will cost us money. But we will be even safer. These enhancements, and others, will be implemented over the next few years, at a total cost of around £200m, in addition to the £300m that we already spend each year on maintenance.”

The reports for the stress tests on EDF Energy’s plants are publicly available and can be viewed at http://www.edfenergy.com/stresstest

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