Considering that Japan’s massive earthquake caused an emergency shutdown of reactors at the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, the Ukrainian National Nuclear Energy Generating Company “Energoatom” has tightened control over the support of the working condition of the main and auxiliary power units and networks, Energoatom said in a statement Tuesday.
“We must learn a lesson from the situation at the Japanese nuclear power plants, which arose as a result of the earthquake, and draw appropriate conclusions. It is possible that we will have to shift priorities in the programs of improving the safety and reliability of the Ukrainian nuclear power plants,” Energoatom president Yuriy Nedashkovsky said.
With a view to the developments in the nuclear industry of Japan, Nedashkovsky signed an order to ensure stable operation of the Ukrainian nuclear power plants. The company’s top managers are obliged to be on the round the clock duty on the phone. The order obliges in the hours of peak load to prevent routine switching, repairing and testing of generating units that could endanger the loss of generating capacity and de-energize consumers.
Atomic engineers will examine at the Ukrainian nuclear power plants the readiness of emergency response systems, warning and communications systems, ensure the readiness of emergency response teams in the event of an accident. Security measures are also enhanced at the stations.
Energoatom operates four Ukrainian nuclear power plants and generates some 50% of electricity in Ukraine.
