Blaye Nuclear Power Plant

France / Aquitaine / Pauillac /
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The Blaye Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear plant in Blaye, South Western France operated by Électricité de France. In 2005 100,000 US gallons (380 m3) of water spilled out of the plant after 3 days of heavy rainfall causing a Level 3 nuclear hazard though none of the locals were evacuated or were worried.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaye_Nuclear_Power_Plant
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   45°15'23"N   -0°41'27"E

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  • Blaye Nuclear Power Station hold 4 water cooled reactors of EDF providing the region with power. In 2002 a ten year extension was granted and in 2012 they will either be decommissioned or make way for the new bread of reactor that EDF have already tested. In 2005 after 3 days of extremely heavy rainfall - over 100,000 gallons of water breached the powerplant and it was lucky to escape without any serious incident occurring - although a level 3 nuclear incident was recorded in terms of the potential hazard. In general none of the local residents are perturbed by its location and it has 4 of 59 reactors in the country - of which the french are extremely proud. 80% of France's energy comes by way of nuclear power, negating its need for importing oil. In built up areas gas is used due to its efficiency in home heating.
This article was last modified 13 years ago