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Nuclear plant in Borssele (Photo: Croes, Rob C. / Anefo / Wikimedia Commons)
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Nuclear plant in Borssele (Photo: Croes, Rob C. / Anefo / Wikimedia Commons)
Wednesday, 18 May 2016 - 15:25
Greenpeace concerned about Borssele nuclear plant safety
Greenpeace is concerned abut the safety of the nuclear power plant in Borssele since the nearby coal plant closed in November last year. According to the environmental organization, the coal plant closing left the nuclear plant with insufficient independent power supplies to guarantee safety, NOS reports.
Nuclear plants need power to keep their core cool. That power comes from the regular grid. International guidelines state that nuclear plants must have at least two additional uninterruptable power supplies. For the Borssele nuclear plant, one of these were the coal plant. Now that it is closed, the nuclear plant only has one back up - diesel generators, according to Greenpeace.
"If the power on the grid is unavailable for some reason, all power must come from there (the generators, ed)", Joerien de Lege of Greenpeace said to NOS. The environmental organization wants the nuclear plant to close.
According to Jan van Cappelle, a specialist at the nuclear plant, the plant has access to enough power. "There are two lines to the grid and five diesel generators. We are well equipped." he said to the broadcaster.
But according to Greenpeace, the two lines to the same grid do not count can not count as a backup. "It should be drawn from different sources. If the network is down, it does not help that there are two lines running to it." Greenpeace will ask that the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection inspect the plant.