The events in Fukushima as seen from a manufacturer's perspective

The severe accident in the Japanese nuclear power station of Fukushima Daiichi in the aftermath of a Tsunami has wide-ranging consequences for the nuclear industry, and as a consequence, for Areva as a plant manufacturer, even though Areva did not deliver these reactor units. In light of the requirements stated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the more stringent conditions put in place by authorities, Areva has started a ''Safety Alliance'' program for existing plants. This program includes a comprehensive concept for safety inspection and retrofitting of nuclear power plants, where necessary, to increase their robustness and with that ultimately plant safety. The 4 EPRTM power plants currently under construction in Finland, France and China and the reactor models Kerena and Atmea1, developed or co-developed by Areva, are of the latest generation III+. All models have redundant, multiple and partially complementary (active and passive) systems to prevent and master accidents. Should accidents occur in spite of this, the reactors are designed in a way that keeps the impact limited to the plant even in the event of a severe accident. (orig.)