Released March 29, 2011 | GALWAY, IRELAND
en
Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The majority of Europe's nuclear plants will be subjected to 'stress tests' following a decision by European leaders at a European Union summit.
The decision has been made in response to the ongoing disaster at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was severely damaged by the recent earthquake and tsunami. The disaster is having a negative impact on the revival of the European nuclear industry. For related information, see March 15, 2011, article - Europe Faces Backlash After Explosions at Japanese Nuclear Plants.
Some E.U. countries, including France, Spain and Germany, even went so far as to promise that any nuclear plants that fail the stress tests will be shut down. Europe's 143 nuclear reactors will be subjected to the tests.
Following the two-day summit in Brussels, E.U. President Herman Van Rompuy, said: "The safety of nuclear plants should be urgently reviewed, in the so-called 'stress-tests.' The Commission will report on the stress tests to the European Council before the end of this year. Because the danger does not stop at our borders, we encourage and support neighbouring countries to do similar stress tests. A worldwide review of nuclear plants would be best. We ask the Commission to review existing E.U. rules for safety of nuclear installations, and propose improvements if necessary. In Europe, we want the highest standards for nuclear safety."
Speaking for France, which has more nuclear reactors than any other European country, France's President Nicolas Sarkozy said: "All the tests will be conducted in France, all the results will be published, and if the tests are not passed, we will immediately take the consequences, and the only consequence would be closure."
Last week, Germany's nuclear operators began to shut down their oldest nuclear plants in accordance with a demand from the German government. The plants being shut down for at least three months are Biblis-A, Biblis-B, Isar 1, Unterweser, Brunsbuettel, Neckarwestheim 1 and Phillipsburg 1. Kruemmel, which is already shut down, will remain so for the period. For related information, see March 28, 2011, article - German Nuclear Plants Begin Shutdowns.
Non-E.U. countries with nuclear power, including Turkey and Switzerland, are also being requested to implement stress tests.
"We respect the sovereign right of our neighbours, but we believe that these matters are matters of global responsibility," explained European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Two weeks ago, after the events in Japan, Switzerland's government announced that it was halting the approvals process for two proposed nuclear plants. For related news, see March 16, 2011, article - Switzerland Halts Nuclear Plant Programme.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
The decision has been made in response to the ongoing disaster at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was severely damaged by the recent earthquake and tsunami. The disaster is having a negative impact on the revival of the European nuclear industry. For related information, see March 15, 2011, article - Europe Faces Backlash After Explosions at Japanese Nuclear Plants.
Some E.U. countries, including France, Spain and Germany, even went so far as to promise that any nuclear plants that fail the stress tests will be shut down. Europe's 143 nuclear reactors will be subjected to the tests.
Following the two-day summit in Brussels, E.U. President Herman Van Rompuy, said: "The safety of nuclear plants should be urgently reviewed, in the so-called 'stress-tests.' The Commission will report on the stress tests to the European Council before the end of this year. Because the danger does not stop at our borders, we encourage and support neighbouring countries to do similar stress tests. A worldwide review of nuclear plants would be best. We ask the Commission to review existing E.U. rules for safety of nuclear installations, and propose improvements if necessary. In Europe, we want the highest standards for nuclear safety."
Speaking for France, which has more nuclear reactors than any other European country, France's President Nicolas Sarkozy said: "All the tests will be conducted in France, all the results will be published, and if the tests are not passed, we will immediately take the consequences, and the only consequence would be closure."
Last week, Germany's nuclear operators began to shut down their oldest nuclear plants in accordance with a demand from the German government. The plants being shut down for at least three months are Biblis-A, Biblis-B, Isar 1, Unterweser, Brunsbuettel, Neckarwestheim 1 and Phillipsburg 1. Kruemmel, which is already shut down, will remain so for the period. For related information, see March 28, 2011, article - German Nuclear Plants Begin Shutdowns.
Non-E.U. countries with nuclear power, including Turkey and Switzerland, are also being requested to implement stress tests.
"We respect the sovereign right of our neighbours, but we believe that these matters are matters of global responsibility," explained European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Two weeks ago, after the events in Japan, Switzerland's government announced that it was halting the approvals process for two proposed nuclear plants. For related news, see March 16, 2011, article - Switzerland Halts Nuclear Plant Programme.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
