Many nuclear plants in Europe lack adequate backup systems in case of floods or earthquakes (Image: Action Press/Rex Features)

It’s just as well earthquakes and tsunamis are comparatively rare in Europe, because the continent’s nuclear power plants are ill-equipped to cope with them, a report has revealed. Commissioned in the wake of the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan following an earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011, the investigation by the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group used “stress tests” to assess the readiness of Europe’s reactors for similar events.

Of 145 reactors checked, 121 had no or inadequate seismic instruments to detect earthquakes, and 32 lacked venting systems to prevent pressure build-ups in reactor vessels if the primary cooling system fails. Without these systems, reactors can explode and release radioactive pollution, as happened at Fukushima. Some 81 reactors did not have adequate equipment available for coping with severe accidents such as earthquakes or floods, and 24 didn’t have backup emergency control rooms.

In spite of these issues, the nuclear safety group says that overall the reactors operate safely and none need to be shut down. “Generally, the situation is satisfactory, but there is no room for complacency,” said the EU’s energy commissioner, Günther Oettinger. “All authorities involved must work to ensure that the highest safety standards are in force in every single nuclear power plant in Europe.”


Other, individual faults identified in the report range from a lack of alternative means of cooling to the need for fortified emergency centres on site. Operators in all countries, including the UK, have been asked to rectify all of the problems uncovered. Each country has until the end of the year to produce a national action plan, and the European Commission will report on progress towards implementation in June 2014.

Meanwhile, Japan’s nuclear power stations may be brought back online, if a regulatory agency deems them safe. Following the Fukushima disaster, commercial reactors were shut down for safety inspections.