12 April 2011 | Tierney Smith
Energy, Asia, Europe

 

Japanese authorities have upgraded the severity level of the Fukushima crisis to a level 7, the highest possible level, in line with the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

Radiation levels at the Daiichi plant have been re-evaluated, based on the estimated total radioactivity released to the environment since the earthquake and tsunami struck the plant a month ago.

The upgrade is not said to be the result of any new deterioration at the plant, and radioactive release is still said to be only around 10 per cent of that following Chernobyl.

The disasters at Windscale, 1957, in the UK, and Three Mile Island, 1979, in the US, were level 5 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES).

Yesterday (12 April) a 7.1 magnitude quake hit northeast Japan, causing a brief tsunami warning, resulting in an evacuation of the Fukushima plant. No significant new damage has been reported.

In the UK, there have been early signs of a U-turn in attitudes to nuclear power. Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, hinted that nuclear power might be too expensive an option following events in Japan.

Meanwhile, in an interview on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday (10 April), Energy Secretary Charles Hendry, acknowledged the challenge following the disaster. He said: “I think it is too early to say. We think that nuclear has a role going forward, but we want it to be very evidence based.

“We put forward a range of different pathways in which we can meet our objectives. That can be done without nuclear but it would be more expensive. But safety is our top priority.”

This follows a report by UBS, a financial services group, examining the impact of the Japan disaster on nuclear power plants worldwide. They concluded the disaster would have a bigger impact on the nuclear industry and its credibility than Chernobyl.

And signs of public dissent for nuclear power were seen yesterday (11 April) in London, when an anti-nuclear group shut down a road behind Buckingham Palace, outside EDF Energy’s headquarters.

Campaign Group, Boycott EDF, brought traffic to a standstill, protesting against the company’s plan to build a new generation of power stations in the UK.

Bella Benson, a spokesperson for the group said: “EDF has spent a massive amount of money marketing itself as an environmentally-friendly company. But the truth is that it’s planning to lumber us with an outdated form of energy that is incredibly dangerous, extremely expensive and completely unnecessary.”

EDF said it respects people’s rights to protest but that safety of the company’s nuclear stations is a priority. They said: “We believe strongly that low-carbon nuclear has a vital role in maintaining UK electricity supplies in the future. That view is backed by Government and industry and a large proportion of the public. EDF Energy places its highest priority on the safety and security of the public, its staff, buildings and installations.”

 

Image: daveeza | flickr

blog comments powered by Disqus