Government closely monitoring progress of nuclear facilities in Taishan

The Government has learnt from the Guangdong Provincial Government more information on the Province’s nuclear power plant facility in Taishan Prefecture. The Guangdong Government has stated the following: 1. Construction procedures and material for Taishan’s nuclear power plant had been thoroughly examined by the National Nuclear Safety Administration. The safety assessment was in line with the standards required in France and Finland. Since 2008, the site for the Taishan nuclear facilities had been checked annually by more than 400 professionals. During those inspections, about 5,220 issues had been raised. 2. The Taishan nuclear facilities had been closely monitored by the National Nuclear Safety Administration since construction on the project started in 2009. The Administration’s supervision included: stationing an inspection team at the construction site; conducting inspections of, respectively, the construction, the installation of equipment and its testing for safety purposes; dispatching inspectors to factories making parts for the nuclear power plant; and conducting safety quality checks on all imported components. 3. During construction of the nuclear facilities, the National Nuclear Safety Administration had conducted: a total of 18 inspections, some scheduled and some unscheduled; 58 specific check-ups; and more than 700 examinations performed on a per day basis. Some of the reports produced as a result of such actions had been uploaded to websites of environmental protection departments. Regarding the findings of those inspections and checks, the Taishan Prefectural Government had been directed to ensure it adheres to quality standards and to relevant requirements as stipulated by mainland law. 4. The National Nuclear Safety Administration had signed bilateral cooperation agreements and some international framework agreements. It had strengthened its links with France and Finland, in order to enhance the way the nuclear project in Taishan is supervised. At present, the first reactor of the nuclear power plant was in the preparation stage, prior to operations, and its second reactor was being installed. In response to the issue of nuclear safety – globally and locally – the Government has invited nuclear experts from the mainland to visit Macao in order to share more knowledge on such a matter, and to suggest any update – if it is required – to the city’s contingency plan for dealing with any nuclear incident that might occur. Macao’s security authorities are establishing a mechanism for regular communication with the Guangdong Government regarding nuclear safety. Such a mechanism would optimise the ability of the Government to release to members of the public – in a timely manner – any necessary information updates. The Government continues to have close communication with the mainland authorities in general and the Guangdong Government in particular, regarding any updates and news on progress regarding the construction of the nuclear facilities in Taishan. The Government would continue monitoring nuclear safety in neighbouring areas; enhancing the city’s response measures; and optimising methods for giving out information, in order to address any concerns of the public, and further to protect public health.