The Atomic Energy Council said yesterday it would be cautious in reviewing state-run Taiwan Power Company’s (Taipower, 台電) application to extend operating licenses for the First Nuclear Power Plant’s two reactors by 20 years.
The facility, which began operation in 1978, is located in Shihmen Township (石門), Taipei County. The licenses for its reactors will expire in 2018 and 2019.
Taipower has asked to extend the operating licenses on the grounds that it would help keep down carbon emissions and production costs.
As the request is the first of its kind, the council — the regulatory body for nuclear safety — told a press conference yesterday that it would consider the matter carefully to ensure public safety.
Chang Shin (張欣), section chief of the Department of Nuclear Regulation, told reporters that special safety inspections should be completed by September 2011. The council plans to bring in two US experts as consultants, the official said.
Saying that there would naturally be some opposition to the proposal, the council promised the safety inspections would be rigorous and that the agency would invite the public, and in particular nearby communities, to offer their opinions.
“With the public’s participation, we will ensure it is at ease,” council Deputy Minister Shieh Der-jhy (謝得志) said, adding that nuclear power reactor service had been extended without problems in 10 instances in the US.
Nuclear power provides 19.6 percent of Taiwan’s total energy production.
Taipower said extending the use of the reactors would cost one-tenth of the price of a new nuclear power plant.
The council and Taipower declined to say whether this would eventually translate into savings for consumers.
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