Fuel store nears completion in Taiwan

31 October 2011

Trial operations are likely to start next year at Taiwan's first interim dry storage facility for used nuclear fuel. 

 

Guests inspect progress at Taiwan's first dry storage facility (Image: AEC)

  

According to an announcement by Taiwan's Atomic Energy Council (AEC), operator Taipower will apply in November for a permit to begin commissioning the plant. The facility, at the Chinshan nuclear power station site, is expected to be completed during 2012, although AEC officials cited in the Mainichi Daily News suggested it is not likely to become fully operational until 2013.
 
With six nuclear power reactors operating at three sites, and a further two units under construction, Taiwan relies on nuclear power to provide around a quarter of its baseload electricity. Taiwan imports all its nuclear materials and services. National plans foresee a geological repository for used fuel in operation by 2032, but up to now used fuel has been stored in ponds at reactor sites which, according to the AEC, are now "almost full". The dry storage facility at Chinshan will offer increased storage capacity.
 
The AEC granted a construction licence for the facility in late 2008, but no operating licence will be issued until AEC has inspected the completed works and qualified its pre-operation.
 
Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

  

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