Greenpeace nuclear expert: 'There's always something'

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/greenpeace-nuclear-expert-theres-always-something/a-18650290

After yet another incident at one of Belgium's two nuclear power plants, DW spoke to Greenpeace expert Rianne Teule to assess the risk. She worries that safety is not being taken seriously enough.

Greenpeace nuclear expert: 'There's always something'
Martin Kuebler
14.08.2015

After yet another incident at one of Belgium's two nuclear power plants, DW spoke to Greenpeace expert Rianne Teule to assess the risk. She worries that safety is not being taken seriously enough.
Atomkraftwerk Tihange in Belgien

Early Thursday morning, the Tihange 3 nuclear reactor was shut down because of an "unplanned unavailability," according to utility company GDF Suez.

The shutdown is the latest in a string of minor technical incidents at the plant since last July, including two minor fires, some of which have been attributed to human error. The incidents, the age of the plant - the oldest reactor dates to 1975 - and cracks that were discovered in the walls of Belgian reactors earlier this year have raised concerns over the safety of the country's nuclear power supply.

~snip~

DW: What can you tell me about this week's technical incident at Tihange?

Rianne Teule: It's relatively normal in any reactor that there's a scram (emergency shutdown) caused by some kind of technical issue; that should not be a problem. But, last week, four workers were suspended (for security lapses by the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control). In combination with the scram this week, that of course makes you think something more is going on, if the two things are related. Of course, Electrobel, the Tihange operator, has said that they aren't related, that everything is normal. But (the incident) did cause FANC to pay more attention.