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Nuclear Energy Expert

Questions for nuclear industry after quake

The precarious situation with two of Japan's nuclear plants has prompted concern about generating nuclear power here in the UK. The government has commissioned a report on the implications of the situation in Japan and any lessons that can be learned - with Chris Huhne the Secretary of State for Energy, saying safety is always the number one concern. Two reactors at Dungeness in Kent are being decommissioned but one will be active until 2018. Fred Dinenage spoke to independent energy expert, Doctor John Large.

EDF Energy which owns the Dungeness B nuclear power station said in a statement:

"The devastation brought about by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is a very real human tragedy, and our thoughts are with everyone affected. On nuclear, we welcome the fact the UK Government has asked the safety regulator to report on the implications of the events in Japan. EDF Energy is happy to support this work in whatever way it can to ensure lessons are learned. The nuclear industry puts great weight on learning from any such events.

Although we have no reason to expect a similar scale of seismic activity in the UK all EDF Energy's nuclear power stations are protected against the effects of seismic events. These measures cover the kind of seismic and storm surge events that could be expected in the UK and are detailed in approved safety cases which are agreed with the regulator. In our existing stations and in any new nuclear power stations we will continue to ensure that safety is our top priority and that we meet all regulatory requirements."

Chris Huhne, the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy & Climate Changealso released a statement saying:

“We take this incident extremely seriously even though there is no reason to expect a similar scale of seismic activity in the UK. I have called on the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr. Mike Weightman for a thorough report on the implications of the situation in Japan and the lessons to be learned. This will be prepared in close cooperation internationally with other nuclear regulators.

“It is essential that we understand the full facts and their implications, both for existing nuclear reactors and any new programme, as safety is always our number one concern.”