Gas Leak at Chinese Nuclear Plant... "Possibility of Radiation Leak Also Under Investigation" (Comprehensive)

Joint Venture with China, French EDF "Requesting Emergency Board Meeting"
"US Government Also Monitoring... Deemed Not at Risk Level"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Concerns are growing internationally as it has been reported that some inert gases leaked from a nuclear power plant in Taishan, Guangdong Province, China, near Hong Kong.

French state-owned electric utility EDF, which jointly operates the nuclear power plant with China, stated that it is investigating the possibility of radioactive leakage. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is also reportedly investigating the matter in preparation for a potential major accident.

According to foreign media including the AP on the 14th (local time), EDF said in a statement, "Certain inert gases such as helium, xenon, and radon leaked above standard levels from part of the reactor cooling system of Taishan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, which is jointly operated with China. Currently, the gas leak is at a level that can occur during reactor operation, but we are reviewing all possible data and have requested an emergency board meeting at the plant to also examine the possibility of radioactive leakage."

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). EDF holds a 30% stake, while CGN and its affiliated state-owned enterprises hold the remaining 70%, jointly operating the plant. The plant is located in Taishan City, which has a population of about one million, and is only about 140 km from Hong Kong, raising concerns about large-scale casualties in the event of radioactive leakage.

Concerns about radioactive leakage at the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant were first reported by CNN. CNN reported that Framatome, a subsidiary of EDF jointly operating the Taishan plant with China, warned the U.S. government about the risk of radioactive leakage at the Taishan plant.

According to CNN, Framatome 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 plant is imminent, and Framatome urgently requests the technical data and support necessary to restore the plant to normal operation." CNN pointed out, "Chinese authorities are continuously raising the emission limits for the gases currently leaking to prevent the closure of the Taishan plant, and Framatome has requested help from the U.S. government out of concern for a larger accident, which is an unprecedented matter."

Meanwhile, the U.S. government is also reportedly continuing to investigate the matter in preparation for an emergency. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoted a senior U.S. government official as saying, "The White House National Security Council (NSC) has held several meetings on the issue of the nuclear plant and is also discussing it with the French government. However, it is still judged not to be at a 'dangerous level' at this time."