French State-Owned Electric Company "Analyzing Potential Radiation Leak at Nuclear Plant Jointly Developed with Jung"

Massive Gas Leak at Guangdong Province Taishan Nuclear Plant
"US Government Deems It Not Yet a Critical Level"
Concerns Over Radiation Leak Damage... 140km from Hong Kong

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] EDF, the French state-owned electric utility company, announced that some inert gases leaked at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province, which it operates as a joint venture with China, and that it is also analyzing the possibility of radioactive leakage. The plant is located in Taishan City, which has a population of about one million, and is only about 140 km away from Hong Kong, raising concerns about significant damage in the event of radioactive leakage. However, it is known that neither the Chinese authorities nor the U.S. government currently consider the situation to be at a dangerous level.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 14th (local time), EDF stated in a press release that "the concentration of certain inert gases such as helium, xenon, and radon in part of the reactor cooling system of Taishan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 in China has increased beyond standard levels," adding, "a core meltdown scenario is not considered, and the current gas leak is a known phenomenon during reactor operation." It further added, "We are reviewing all possible data and have requested an emergency board meeting to also examine the possibility of radioactive leakage."

The gas leak issue at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant was first reported by CNN. CNN reported that Framatome, a subsidiary of EDF and a joint venture partner of the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in China, warned the U.S. government about the risk of radioactive leakage at the Taishan plant. The Taishan Nuclear Power Plant was established in 2018 as a joint venture between France's EDF and China's state-owned energy company China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), with EDF holding a 30% stake and CGN holding 70%.

According to CNN, Framatome reportedly sent a message to the U.S. Department of Energy at the end of last month stating, "The possibility of radioactive leakage at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant is imminent, and Framatome urgently requests the technical data and support necessary to restore the plant to normal operation." CNN pointed out, "As the Chinese authorities continue to raise the gas emission limit to prevent the closure of the Taishan plant, the risk of radioactive leakage has increased, prompting Framatome to seek help from the U.S. government."

Chinese authorities have acknowledged the gas leak itself but stated that there is no significant problem with the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant. According to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP), the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant posted a statement on its official website on the same day, saying, "Both reactors are operating normally," and "All environmental indicators within the plant and surrounding areas are normal." It added, "Taishan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 has also recently completed inspections and has been producing electricity again since the 10th."

The U.S. government is also monitoring the situation but is reportedly judging that it is not yet a dangerous situation. CNN quoted a senior U.S. government official as saying, "The White House National Security Council (NSC) is monitoring the situation," but "so far, it is judged that the situation has not deteriorated to a 'dangerous level.'"