nuclear-news

Sweden: 2 aging nuclear reactors shutdown after failing safety tests

Backup power problems put two Swedish reactors on ice – and cast an unpleasant light on age, Bellona, 18 Dec 12 Safety concerns over backup diesel power generators have forced the closure of two of the three reactors in operation at Sweden’s Oskarshamn nuclear power plant after safety tests revealed problems with one of the generators, which failed to start within specified time parameters. Charles Digges, 17/12-2012

Diesel generators are a critical failsafe against loss of coolant during a catastrophic reactor accident, as bitterly illustrated by Fukushima, where a tsunami knocked out back-up and diesel generators, resulting in a triple meltdown.

The shutdown of the reactors comes as unwelcome news to OKG, the utility that runs the plant as Sweden marshals its energy resources with the onset of the Scandinavian country’s coldest months yet to come.

Bellona general manager and nuclear physicist Nils Bøhmer said the discoveries “show that Sweden’s ageing nuclear industry is coming to a point where it can no longer reliably supply power.”….. http://www.bellona.org/articles/articles_2012/oskar_1_2

December 19, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, Sweden