CFE admits its Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant poses risk of radiation accident
El Universal
The Federal Electricity Commission has revealed that its Laguna Verde nuclear power plant has been operating for years with radiological equipment that is "obsolete, damaged or in poor condition."
According to the state-owned CFE in a report sent to the Finance Ministry, the equipment constitutes "a risk to radiation safety and, therefore, a precursor of errors that can lead to severe accidents that would harm our personnel and equipment."
The threat was identified in a request by CFE's Nuclear Power Plant Management to the ministry for additional funds to repair or replace the equipment.
The report said that 94 percent of the radiological equipment at the facility has been in operation for more than 14 years, increasing the risk of failure at the plant.
Of that equipment, the report said, 22 are "damaged" and eight are "obsolete."
The Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant is located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, in Alto Lucero, Veracruz. It is the largest electric power generating nuclear plant in Mexico by power generation and produces from 3 percent to 4.5 percent of the country's electrical energy. It has an installed capacity of 1,365 Megawatts.
In the report, CFE says that in order to comply with radiation safety standards, resources, operating equipment and protection equipment must be provided.
