China shuts down NUCLEAR reactor after “fuel damage”

China shuts down NUCLEAR reactor after “fuel damage”

China is shutting down a reactor at its Taishan plant in the southern part of the country for “maintenance” - after an increase in radioactivity levels previously sparked fears of a leak.

Chinese authorities ruled out any danger at the site last month, run by China General Nuclear Power Corp (CGN), blaming minor fuel-rod damage for a build-up of radioactive gases, stating it was a “common phenomenon.”

However, after consultation with French nuclear operater EDF, CGN said in a statement on Friday that the nuclear plant had “decided to shut down Reactor No.1 for maintenance, in order to find the cause of damage affecting the fuel and to replace the damaged fuel,” adding the faulty reactor was “completely under control.”