Slovenian nuclear scare raises safety questions

Environmental groups have voiced concern at an accident at a Slovenian nuclear power plant which triggered the EU’s ‘Ecurie’ early warning system for nuclear emergencies.

According to media reports, there was a loss of coolant liquid from the reactor and the plant has been shut down.

The incident threatened to overshadow talks between EU environment ministers on Thursday while Slovenia said there was no danger and fended off criticism of its handling of the case.

Slovenian environment minister Janez Podobnik described the incident as a “mistake” and a “genuine human error.”

Environment group Greenpeace, however, said the incident highlighted the danger of a nuclear “resurgence” in Europe aimed at helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

"Those who are planning to build more nuclear reactors must head this warning and reject nuclear technology," said Greenpeace nuclear campaigner Jan Beranek.

Beranek, the organisation’s nuclear campaigner said: “Any situation which results in the European commission alerting all 27 member states about the possible consequences of a nuclear accident cannot readily be dismissed as something not to worry about.”

“In this case we hope that independent confirmation can be gained to confirm that the situation is under control and there was no offsite contamination.

“However, it stands as a testament to the threat that all of Europe’s nuclear facilities pose to its population and environment and beyond. Those who are planning to build more nuclear reactors must head this warning and reject nuclear technology.”

Slovenia’s neighbour Austria also voiced concern, saying such confusion should not happen.

“It must be immediately clarified and I will ask for that in the council,” said Austrian environment minister Josef Proelle.

“Why were the directly affected neighbours confronted with a test announcement? This should not happen.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna said the incident was not serious, as to its knowledge there had been no radiation leak.

“The Slovenian authority has four levels of incidence and this was levelled as level one, which they say was an 'unusual incidence',” said IAEA spokesman Ayhan Evrensel.

The Krsko power plant was built by nuclear technologies company Westinghouse and brought into service in 1981. It operates one pressurised water reactor of 600 MWE installed capacity. It is located 75 km from the Austrian border and 130 km from the Italian border.

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