Nuclear power plant of Cattenom in France
(ANSAMed) - ROME - Italy would be exposed to ''serious problems'' in case of an accident at one of the nuclear power plants near its northern borders, according to a report released today by the Italian Institute for Environmental Research and Protection (ISPRA). The report follows an ISPRA-organized international conference on the results of the stress tests conducted on their nuclear power plants by 15 EU countries, in the aftermath of last year's meltdown at Fukushima, in Japan.
The nuclear plants nearest Italy are located within a range of 100-200 kilometers from the borders, ''the same as the distance between Fukushima and Tokyo: enough to create serious problems in the case of an accident in combination with unfavorable climate conditions,'' the report said.
Switzerland has 5 nuclear power plants, of which the closest one to Italy is Muehleberg, 98 kilometers from the border. It generates 320 MW and has been running since 1971. Slovenia's sole nuclear power plant, at Krsko, is located 130 kilometers from the border and generates 600 MWe. France has 58 nuclear plants in 19 different locations, and its nuclear security agency, ASN, has issued ''further recommendations on cooling of the core in the event of floods or earthquakes.'' Nuclear power companies must make sure their plants have ''a zone that is proof against external events'' and a keep a task force ready to intervene within 24 hours at each site, the ASN said.
''The stress tests show that all the participating countries have taken significant steps to improve security at their plants,'' ISPRA said, adding that ''in spite of differences in national approaches, what emerged is the knowledge that we must never lower our guard on nuclear security'' if another Fukushima on European soil is to be avoided. (ANSAMed).
