France to check security of n-plants

Electricite de France (EDF), one of the world’s leading producers of electricity, would take an in-depth review of its nuclear power stations as part of an effort to intensify nuclear security after the Japan crisis.

The review will check “the safety margins for facilities dealing with the events following earthquakes, floods, power failures or interruptions to cooling processes involving reactors and spent fuel pools, Xinhua reported citing a statement from the partly-state-owned company.

The review will be done under guidance from the French Nuclear Safety Authority.

Other measures include assessment of the technical and human resources currently in place for accident situations at the highest level and the creation of a national rapid reaction task force for potential crisis.

Running 58 active nuclear reactors across France, EDF was requested by the French government to intensify safety measures in nuclear power production in the wake of the Japanese crisis triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Nuclear stations provide over 70 percent of EDF’s electricity output.