Fukushima and the UK nuclear industry Introduction

Fukushima and the UK nuclear industry

Introduction

In March 2011 Japan suffered one of the worst natural disasters in its history when a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the country.  This led to a serious nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-chi site with repercussions felt across the international community.
Mike Weightman, chief inspector of nuclear installations and head of the Office for Nuclear Regulation, reported on the implications for the UK nuclear industry following a request from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. 
On this web page you will find the full report, along with the interim version, as well as related information, news and updates.

Fukushima reports

Following the nuclear incident at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-chi site, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change formally asked Mike Weightman to provide a report to Government on the implications and lessons learnt for the UK nuclear industry. 
Here you will find the interim report from May 2011 and the final report published in October 2011.

• Full report [6.4MB] ^[1]
• Press release^[2]
• Interim report on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami: Implications for the UK nuclear industry ^[3]

Interview with Mike Weightman

Mike Weightman talks about his final report into the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident and the lessons for the UK nuclear industry.

• Video: Mike Weightman interview^[4]

European Council ‘Stress Tests’

In the wake of events at Fukushima, every nuclear power generating country in Europe agreed to carry out safety ‘stress tests’.  The tests, completed by licensees, involve a targeted reassessment of each station’s safety margins in light of extreme natural events, such as earthquake and tsunami.
The European Council requested reports on the progress of these tests by 15 September 2011 and a final national report by 31 December 2011. The UK progress report confirms that ‘stress tests’ have been initiated at all UK nuclear power stations, as required.

• European Council "Stress Tests" for UK Nuclear Power Plants National ^[5]Progress Report - 15 September 2011

Technical advisory panel

The technical advisory panel provided advice on the scope of the final report into the implications for the UK nuclear industry following the events at Fukushima.  Members include representatives from the Environment Agency, the National Nuclear Laboratory and various other experts and consultants.

• Technical Advisory Panel (TAP)^[6]

Submissions of information

To ensure a comprehensive report, Mike Weightman sent an open invitation for anyone to submit technical evidence that may help inform and support the development of his report:

• Submissions of information^[7]

Other news and updates

• Written Ministerial Statement by Chris Huhne, Secretary of State ^[8]
  18 May 2011
• Chief Nuclear Inspector publishes interim 'lessons learnt' report^[9]
  18 May 2011
• Invitation to submit information on the implications of the Fukushima nuclear accident (Update)^[10]
  18 May 2011
• New UK nuclear reactor designs to consider Japan report^[11]
  5 April 2011
• Invitation to submit information on the implications of the Fukushima nuclear accident^[12]
  4 April 2011
• Statement from HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations on the implications of the Fukushima nuclear accident^[13]
  29 March 2011

Link URLs in this page

1. Full report [6.4MB]
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/final-report.pdf
2. Press release
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/final-report.htm
3. Interim report on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami: Implications for the UK nuclear industry
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/interim-report.pdf
4. Video: Mike Weightman interview
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/final-report-video.htm
5. European Council "Stress Tests" for UK Nuclear Power Plants National
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/stress-tests.pdf
6. Technical Advisory Panel (TAP)
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/tap.htm
7. Submissions of information
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/submissions/index.htm
8. Written Ministerial Statement by Chris Huhne, Secretary of State
   http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/weightmann_wms/weightmann_wms.aspx
9. Chief Nuclear Inspector publishes interim 'lessons learnt' report
   http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/interim-report.htm
10. Invitation to submit information on the implications of the Fukushima nuclear accident (Update)
    http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/invitiation-180511.htm
11. New UK nuclear reactor designs to consider Japan report
    http://www.hse.gov.uk/newreactors/gda-japan.htm
12. Invitation to submit information on the implications of the Fukushima nuclear accident
    http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/invitiation-040411.htm
13. Statement from HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations on the implications of the Fukushima nuclear accident
    http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/statement-290311.htm