Jersey to meet Flamanville officials

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Jersey’s emergency planning officer will travel to France later this year to discuss safety at the Flamanville nuclear power station.

Joe Carnegie said he planned to meet with French officials soon to “remind them that we’re here."

But Mr Carnegie added that he wasn’t concerned about recent fears that a third reactor being built 20 miles to the northeast of Jersey is unsafe.

Last week it was reported that that French regulators have been informed of "manufacturing anomalies" in components "particularly important for safety" at the reactor after an investigation revealed potential weaknesses in the steel used to make its safety casing.

Power supplier EDF Energy, which runs Flamanville, has said that work on the new reactor can continue while a new series of tests are carried out.

“The key point, from a safety point of view, is that the reactor is not active so there is no danger of a leak," said Mr Carnegie. “If there was an immediate risk, we are part of the reporting process – through our office in France – so the Island would be told.

“That said, I think meeting the authorities in France, alongside my counterpart in Guernsey, will be useful, not least to remind them that we’re here.

“Remember that France has one of the biggest nuclear industries in the world, which is heavily regulated, so I am positive that they will get it right.”

The Channel Islands is not only in sight of Flamanville, which sits under a cliff face to the south of Dielette, it is also close to Cap de la Hague – one of the world’s largest nuclear reprocessing sites. The Island’s Environmental Health Unit regularly tests milk, seafood and seaweed for radioactivity, which consistently show negligible levels.

The Jersey telephone directory gives guidance for Islanders in the event of a nuclear incident. We are advised to go indoors, close all doors, turn off all ventilation or air heating systems and cover all unsealed fresh food.